Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
High in acidity with a voluptuously sleek and supple body, this is a smoothly tamed wine. It's youthful and structured, with a mix of citrus, black cherry and cola. Medium bodied, it's memorably balanced and possesses subtle power. Editors' Choice
-
Wine Spectator
Gushes with pure, rich blackberry, blueberry and wild berry flavors, with touches of anise and cedar imparting a firm backbone. Most impressive on the finish, which is long and persistent, presenting a firm, tannic backbone. Drink now through 2022.
-
Connoisseurs' Guide
The slightly bigger wine of the Patz & Hall pair, but never once threatening to be in any way heavy or cumbersome, the Hyde Vineyard version is Pinot of great substance and strength that conveys both potency and a genuine sense of layered complexity. It is fleshy, full and wonderfully supple on entry, then steers ever so slightly to welcome firmness as it goes, and, although easy to appreciate now, it has the solid architecture of a wine meant for keeping and should show even more range as its softens over the next half-dozen years.
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.