Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Vintage production: 350 cases
Larry Hyde is the King of Chardonnay growers in California. His fruit is hand-selected by the very best producers for their single vineyard bottlings: Mark Aubert, Steve Kistler, David Ramey and Aubert de Villaine (Hyde de Villaine & Domaine de La Romanée Conti), to name just a few.
In 1979, Larry planted the legendary Hyde Vineyard in Los Carneros, Napa’s coolest-climate, and quickly built his reputation as one of the finest growers in California. A Chardonnay with ‘Hyde Vineyard’ on the label is of an assured ‘Grand Cru’ level, yet the story gets even more compelling.
In 2005, Larry took the leap from grower to winemaker and planted his family’s new Estate Vineyard, described by Mark Aubert as “Where Burgundy meets California” – a brilliant summation of the Larry Hyde ‘Hyde Vineyard Estate’ Chardonnay produced from this remarkable site.
Such is the tiny production, there’s rarely a chance to experience what it’s like once the wine has flexed its muscles with some proper bottle age. We have a line-up of the first three vintages produced (2012-2014), all sourced directly from the Estate where they’ve been perfectly cellared since bottling.
Alberto Rodriguez, Winemaker
“On the nose, ripe apple, pear, and Meyer lemon lead into fresh tropical fruit before settling against the warmth of vanilla and nutmeg baking spice. Medium rich and balanced, the palate jumps with bright acidity from the cooler Carneros climate yet carries the concentrated orchard fruit from old vines.”
