Winemaker Notes
With its super-dense character and palate-coating tannins, this wine is one of the stunners of the vintage, and definitely one of our most age-worthy bottlings from 2010. The aromas are deep and brooding, with intense spicy cranberry, cherry and fennel notes, as well as elements of brine and fleur de sel. Though 2010 was a cool vintage overall, two heat events acted like a natural saignée, underscoring the wine's power and extract. And while there is excellent natural acid, it plays a supporting role, framing this Pinot's ample weight. A tour de force!
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Combines deliciously ripe dark berry fruit with a graceful texture and deft balance, featuring juicy wild berry and blackberry at the core. Floral, spice and anise touches linger on the finish.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard also performed very youthfully and impressively. Dense ruby/purple, the wine looked more like a two- or three-year old barrel sample than a wine that is going to be six years of age. Alcohol was 14.2% and 10% whole-clusters were used, along with 75% new French oak. The wine shows loads of glycerin, a dense ruby/purple color, a concentrated, rich mouthfeel with plenty of red and black cherries, dark raspberries, roasted herbs and almost a gamy, meatiness. This should drink nicely for another decade. Rating: 94(+) Points
As early as the 1970s Carneros became known as a source of terrific Pinot Noir, and was one of the first California regions to gain such a reputation. The combination of sunny days, cooling fog and thin clay soils are tailor-made for the variety. Another factor in Pinot Noir’s prominent place here is vintners’ willingness to experiment widely. The history of the grape in Carneros is marked by continuous research into clonal variations, viticultural techniques and site selection. Careful evaluation over time has revealed a signature flavor profile as well. Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, red berry, spice, earth and cola appear time and again in Carneros Pinot Noir. To this day the appellation remains one of California’s standard bearers for the variety.