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2005 Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros


Vintages
 -2009  -2008  -2007

BLEND
100% Chardonnay

VINEYARDS
Hyde Vineyard, Carneros

APPELLATION
Carneros

WINEMAKING

  • Triple sorted, whole-cluster pressed
  • 100% barrel fermented
  • 100% natural yeast
  • 100% malolactic fermentation
  • 21 months in French Oak (50% new)
  • Bottled unfiltered

BARREL AGING
21 months in French Oak (50% new)

ALCOHOL
14.5% by volume

RELEASE DATE
September, 2007

BOTTLING DATE
August, 2007

PRODUCTION
438 cases

CELLARING
Three years from release to reach maturity, with a plateau for another five years after that.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
Larry Hyde farms some of the most sought after grapes in the cool Carneros growing region of Napa. This wine is a blend of two blocks of Chardonnay from the Hyde Vineyard. The grapes are carefully sorted, whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented. The wine spends 21 months in French Oak, with 50% new barrels.

The 2005 harvest was one of great extremes. A very wet spring provided a lot of potential for a big harvest of very juicy fruit. A fantastic Indian summer resulted in long hang times which allowed the grapes to mature at a leisurely pace giving us outstanding character. The result at harvest was thick skins and great flavors at moderate alcohol levels.

As is typical with Hyde Chardonnay, this wine is complex without being assertive, displaying refinement and an expression of the unique vineyard. Intense aromas of pear and apricot are framed by a crisp minerality and spicy oak. Our favorite food pairings include Dungeness crab cakes and chicken with a tarragon cream sauce.