Vineyard: Hyde

OwnerLarry Hyde
AppellationCarneros
StoryVines originally planted east-west in 1979 because that is what neighbors were doing. The grapes didn't get ideal sun exposure and after a bout of phylloxera, he replanted everything north-south. Larry Hyde is one of the most respected grape growers in Carneros. His grapes go to about 25 producers, including Ramey, Kistler, Mondavi, Selene, Duckhorn, Patz & Hall, HdV and Paul Hobbs. He grows eight different varieties in Hyde Vineyard. Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, is a viticultural consultant and a partner in the HdV Winery along with Larry Hyde.
Dates PlantedBegan in 1979.
Acres138
LocationOn gently rolling, southeast-facing hills.
SoilsUniquely deep - up to 36 inches - of well drained soils comprised of red clay loam and rocks atop impenetrable clay.
VarietiesChardonnay, Pinot Noir
ManagersLarry Hyde

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2013 Stomping Girl Wines Hyde Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.24, TA 0.63, 350 cases, $44. Released spring 2016. Wente Hyde field selection and Robert Young clone. Harvest Brix 23.7º. Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented, aged on the lees with regular stirring, 100% malolactic fermentation. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 10% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light platinum yellow color in the glass. Aromas of lees, apple, lemon creme, jasmine and brioche. Discreetly concentrated, with inviting flavors of yellow stone fruits, lemon, grapefruit, spice and subtle toast. Ideal balance with a slightly creamy mouthfeel, and a vibrant finish with good cut. The pedigree of the fruit shows through in this classy wine. Score: 93. Reviewed April 19, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay

1,161 cases, $60. Hyde-Wente selection planted on the best soils at Hyde: very low vigor and extremely well-drained sandy, clay loam. Whole cluster pressed, indigenous yeast fermentation, aged on lees with weekly stirring, 100% malolactic fermentation in barrels, aged in 45% new French oak barrels, bottled without filtration. · Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas and flavors of lemon creme, cut apple and grapefruit in this acid-driven wine with obvious class. The right touch of toasty oak is complimentary, and the cleansing finish is uplifting. Not up to the 2012 version, but still exceptional. Score: 92. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Saxon Brown Hyde Vineyard Napa-Carneros Chardonnay

14.4% alc., 223 cases, $68. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Admirable complexity in this wine that offers scents of pear, forest flora, blonde caramel, chalk and gun metal as well as flavors of pear, lemon and subtle oak. The fruit grabs on to the palate and sustains, picking up more glamor over time in the glass. Easy to like because of impeccable balance. Score: 92. Reviewed April 22, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 1,079 cases, $70. Released October 2015. Sourced from a block that contains new and older plantings of the Hyde-Calera selection, and includes grapes from the “old field.” Wild and cultured yeast fermentations, 15% whole cluster, 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel, aged in 60% new French oak barrels, bottled without fining or filtration. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Purple and black fruits are featured in this wine which combines savory notes of mushroom and soy sauce with the mid weight fruit flavors. The mouthfeel is silky and the character is refined, although there is a noticeable tug of oak. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle, with wine’s seamless and smooth texture was striking, and the oak overlay reduced. This wine will benefit from further cellaring. Score: 91. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Stomping Girl Hyde Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay

14.1% alc., $40. Wente and Robert Young clones. Gently whole pressed with free-run juice sent to French oak barrels (one new, the rest neutral) at a cool temperature. Aged sur lie with regular lees stirring. The wine clear naturally, without fining or filtration, and was bottled with a single racking before bottling. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. The aromas pull you into the glass, with bright notes of lemon curd, pear, toast and subtle vanilla. Delicious lemon, pear and apple flavors in a bright, crisp and clean style with a slightly creamy mouthfeel. Amazing fruit goodness. Beautifully balanced with noticeable length on the finish. All you could ask for in a Chardonnay. Drink this one on a sunny day with your best friends. Score: 94. Reviewed November 20, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Napa Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 1,303 cases, $60. Released October 2014. Hyde-Wente selection. 24th growing season working with this fruit. Whole cluster pressed. Indigenous fermentations, aged sur lie with weekly stirring, 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. Unfiltered. · Moderate straw color and clear in the glass. Lovely perfume of fresh lemon, white rose, and brioche. Hi-tone flavors of lemon, nectarine, apple, lemongrass and nutty oak working in harmony. Bright, with excellent grip and follow through on the crisp finish. A stylish wine with excellent breeding. Score: 93. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Hyde Hyde Vineyards Carneros Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., $65. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasant aromas of dark fruits, underbrush and seasoned oak. Full-bodied, fruit-centric, and quite ripe, with rich flavors of black plum, blackberry and cassis with an earthy, mushroom riff in the background. The texture is quite silky, the tannins are balanced, and there is some lingering and generous fruit on the finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was even more expressive on the nose and palate. Score: 91. Reviewed June 27, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 1,100 cases, $70. Patz & Hall has made wine from this vineyard since 1996. Several sections of the vineyard were planted exclusively for Patz & Hall. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. This is a top performer, with glorious aromas of black cherry, raspberry, cowhide and floral shop. A burly wine with a hedonistic load of earthy black cherry, boysenberry and cassis flavors that really sparkle. The velvety texture is seductive, oak seasoning is spot on, and the sweet cherry finish leaves a big impression. There are substantial ripe tannins that should mellow with some cellaring. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the fruit intensity bowled me over! Score: 93. Reviewed April 20, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Stomping Girl Hyde Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay

13.8% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.60, 150cases, $40. First established in 1981, Hyde Vineyard is widely acclaimed. It is planted on gently rolling hills and cooled by wind and fog from nearby San Pablo Bay. The soils is well-drained ancient creek beds of clay loam and rocks. Clones are Wente Hyde Field selection and Robert Young hand harvested at 22.2º Brix just before the October rains. Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented sur lie with regular stirring, 100% MLF, aged 11 months in 15% new French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Mild yellow blonde color in the glass. The aromas of nectarine, lemon, Fuji apple and hazelnuts draw you into the glass. A very polished and sophisticated wine offering refined flavors of lemon, pineapple, green apple, and brine with a pleasing kiss of lemon on the finish. The wine’s underlying bright acidity supplies plenty of vibrancy. This wine has a Burgundian soul and reminds me of a William Fevre Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru that I recently drank. Score: 94. Reviewed October 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 1,209 cases, $58. From a renowned vineyard planted in 1981, specifically the Hyde-Wente selection planted on the best soils at Hyde Vineyard. Whole cluster pressed, 100% indigenous yeast fermentation, aged sur lie with weekly stirring, 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel, aged in 60% new Burgundian French oak barrels, and bottled without filtration. · Moderate yellow-gold color with slight haze (unfiltered) in the glass. Aromas of lemon, nectarine, sea breeze and creamy caramel lead to a moderately rich palate of lemon, grapefruit, pear and buttery oak flavors. Unapologetically rich and raunchy, but with a refreshing cut of underlying vibrant acidity, and some noticeable finishing persistence. This wine is a meal in itself, and is for lovers of decadent Chardonnay. Score: 93. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 1,364 case, $58. Released October 2012. Fifteenth vintage from this vineyard first planted in 1981. This vineyard shines in both hot and cool years. Hyde-Wente selection planted exclusively for Patz & Hall on the best soils at Hyde Vineyard. Very well-drained sandy, clay loam which typically produces low vigor and low yields. Whole cluster pressed, indigenous yeast fermentations, aged sur lie with weekly stirring, 100% MLF in barrel, aged in 52% new Burgundian French oak barrels. Unfiltered. · Light golden straw color and clear in the glass. Perfumey with attractive aromas of lemongrass, honey, pear and fresh air after a rain. Very classy, and of striking quality, with flavors of lemons, apples and oak-driven caramel and honey. Seamless, bone dry and done right. This is a wine that drinks so softly, you want to take another sip right away. Sublime seduction and one of California’s greatest Chardonnays. Reviewed May 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 DuMOL clare Carneros Chardonnay

14.3% alc., 642 cases, $60. Released November 2012. Sourced from Hyde Vineyard, Wente “Hyde” selection. Yield 3 tons per acre from vines that are 16 years old. Partial malolactic fermentation and aging for 15 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Light straw color and clear in the glass. Very shy aromatically, offering demure aromas of white peaches, citrus blossom and fresh brioche. A slightly steely style, with a tasty core of peach and citrus zest, framed by beautifully integrated oak. The mineral-driven, citrus-toned finish is lasting. This wine doesn’t make a huge impression on me, due to a personal stylistic preference, but it is very well crafted and satisfying. Very good. Reviewed February 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 896 cases, $55. Hyde Vineyard is an iconic source of Chardonnay in Carneros. The Hyde-Wente selection in this wine is planted on sandy, clay loam, offering very low vigor and excellent drainage. · Light straw color in the glass. Interesting aromatics featuring scents of orange peel, walnuts, vitamins, shoe box and petrichor. Reserved and suave on the palate with citrus flavors accented by notes of baked apple, pear and baking spices. Slightly creamy with bright mineral-driven acidity on the refreshingly crisp finish. Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 858 cases, $65. Patz & Hall has worked with Larry Hyde since 1990 and crafted a Pinot Noir from the Hyde Vineyard since 1996. The wine contains an array of clones but primarily Hyde-Calera selection and Swan clone. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy perfume of dark strawberry jam on toast, rose hips tea and spice. Dense, dark fruit flavors which really impress the mid palate. A bit linear and fruit-driven at this stage with noticeable oak in the background and frisky tannins. I sense plenty of potential in this wine but it will require patience. About the same the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good. Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., $60. · Scents of berries, oak char and barnyard. Pretty core of berry fruit with an oak sidecar. Some charm and persistence on the finish which leaves a touch of heat in its wake. I get the feeling that this wine will become more expressive with another year or two in the bottle. Good but not great at this point. Reviewed June 16, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2003 Whitethorn Hyde Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., $34. · Initially the aromatic profile include cherries, leather glove and seasoned oak. With time, herb garden takes over. Flavors of ripe berries, root beer and some citrus peel in the background. The tannins have melted away and there is good persistence on the finish which is a touch hot. Reviewed June 16, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2002 Whitethorn Hyde Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., $27. · This wine needs a little time to show its charms. The perfume is quite floral and cherry-driven with a hint of alcohol. Dark cherry flavors are at the core, but other tastes come in and out like carob, cassis, and soy. The wine is fat in the mouth with a rich, warm texture. There is plenty of lively acidity for the dining table. Excellent! Reviewed April 9, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2002 Whitethorn Hyde Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., $27. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass: still bright in color with no bricking. Primary black cherry fruit aromas persist along with secondary aromas of cigar box, black tea leaves and old trunk. Very tasty black cherry and raspberry fruits that veer to the ripe side with a hint of tobacco and tea in the background. A delightful aged California Pinot Noir with merged tannins, and a long, juicy finish. Score: 90. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »