2019 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay
This Chardonnay is from blocks planted for Patz & Hall in 1997 and 1999 using the famous “Hyde Wente” selection of Chardonnay. The 2019 vintage is elegant, powerful and full of classic Hyde Vineyard traits of delicate white flowers, summer melon, tangerine zest and spicy poached pear. On the palate the wine offers orange and lemon flavors along with hints of toasted almond and vanilla.
2019 has proven to be an excellent year. The modestly wet winter led to an unusual spring with six inches of rain falling in late May. The extra water caused particularly strong vine canopy growth necessitating extra leaf pulling to improve air flow and suppress diseases. No significant problems persisted as the vines moved into a delightful summer, with nicely warm days tempered by cool afternoon winds from the Pacific. Crop levels were average, with most sites needing very little thinning to achieve optimum balance. Harvest weather was particularly pleasant, with the fruit ripening evenly, and critically, not too quickly. The 2019 wines are showing great purity and richness along with fresh fruit flavors and clearly defined vineyard characters.
Purchased by Larry Hyde in 1979, and planted two years later, this renowned property is cultivated as 44 distinct blocks. The Hyde-Wente selection used for this Chardonnay is planted on the best soils at Hyde: very low vigor and extremely well-drained sandy, clay loam, which lower the yields even more than usual for this small-berried clone.
100% Whole-cluster pressed
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (32% new; 68% 1-2-year old), aged for 10 months
Bottled without filtration to preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors and enhance aging potential
- Type:
- White
- Varietal:
- Chardonnay
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- Carneros
- Vintage:
- 2019
- Blend:
- 100% Chardonnay fruit
- Aging:
- Sur lie aged with regular stirring
- Alcohol:
- 14.3%
- Fermentation:
- 100% indigenous yeast fermentations; 100% malo-lactic fermentation in barrel