Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard is 10% whole clusters and 14.2% moves to an almost 100% Calera selection of clonal material, which Patz & Hall had been moving to in the Hyde Vineyard. The wine has a deep ruby/purple color, a big, sweet kiss of root beer, black currants, pen ink and spring-garden notes. The wine exhibits excellent ripeness, a full-bodied mouthfeel, beautiful richness, purity and well-integrated new oak (about 60% new French oak barrels were used). This wine has at least 10-15 years of life left in it.
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Wine Spectator
A graceful, harmonious style, with supple raspberry, wild berry, black cherry and subtle spice, herb and cedary oak notes. Ends with a lingering aftertaste of juicy berry. Drink now through 2021.
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.