Winery - HdV
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Made from the Hyde Vineyard, (although it’s not designated on the front label), this is as good as Carneros gets. It’s soft and opulently layered, offering waves of pineapple, mango, guava, nectarine, peach and new oak flavors in a rich, creamy-leesy texture. The warmth of the vintage worked for this Chardonnay, keeping the Carneros fog away and elevating the wine to perfect ripeness.
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HdV Chardonnay - 2004
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A Merlot-Cabernet blend from the Hyde Vineyard in Carneros, this wine is pretty green for such a ripe vintage as ’04. There’s a dry tannin, green bean edge to the fruit, and improvement with age doesn’t seem likely.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Over the years, my impression of this wine has not varied. It’s obviously more acidic, tarter and less ripe than comparable Chards in its price range, with an eye toward Chablis. It’s a praiseworthy wine, with intense lemon cream and pineapple flavors, but would score higher if it had greater richness.
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HdV Chardonnay - 2003
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is an elegant, minerally Chard, whose primary features are lime, green grapes and steel flavors, and brisk, tangy acids. Its leanness is partially alleviated by oak, which brings cream and smoke. The finish is elegant and penetrating.
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HdV Chardonnay - 2002
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
They pulled out all the stops, starting with fully ripened grapes that give huge blackberry, cassis, cherry and plum flavors. Elaborate oak adds even more sweet notes, and modern tannin management results in a very soft, elaborate mouthfeel. This stylish Merlot-Cabernet blend has lots of appeal.
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HdV Red Blend - 2001
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This interesting wine showcases the continuing promise of Carneros Syrah. In this warm vintage, the grapes became very ripe, and give blackberry, cassis and cherry flavors. They’re wrapped in soft, complex, sweet tannins that coat the palate with a creamy smoothness. The flavors sink last forever.
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HdV Syrah - 2001
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a wine rich in oak, flavorful berry-cherry flavors and sturdy tannins. It’s young now, with a rather rasping mouthfeel, but is balanced. Turns a bit sharp on the finish, but should improve in the short haul. Drink now through 2006.
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HdV Red Blend - 2002
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a dark, dense wine that smells better than it tastes. Aromas are of dusty black pepper, pure cassis, wild blackberry, smoky oak and a hint of smoked meat or leather. The opulent flavors are of intense cassis and cherry, and the tannins are beautifully soft and complex. My gripe, and it’s a big one, is a sugary sweetness that makes the wine almost cloying.
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HdV Syrah - 2002
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
From the Hyde vineyard comes this viscous wine, dripping with blackberry cola, cherry pie, chocolate cappuccino and vanilla crème brûlee flavors. How delicious is that? Still, the wine is dry, with ripe, smooth tannins that make you want another sip. Would score higher if there were more concentration and depth.
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HdV Syrah - 2004
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A huge disappointment, given the pedigree of the ownership (Romanée-Conti) and vineyard (Hyde). The wine isn’t fully ripe, showing a green mintiness, yet is also raisiny, too ripe. In other words, it’s clumsy.
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