Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Pinot Noir Magic Moments Hyde Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1979. Fruit was harvested just after the fires started (along with the Hyde Chardonnay) and was matured for 16 months in 66% new French oak. It has a pale ruby color and a core of red cherries with touches of underbrush, mint, flint and allspice. The palate is pleasantly rustic in style with gently chewy tannins, rounded acidity and a long, earthy finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Pinot Noir Magic Moments Hyde Vineyard comes from Carneros and is outside the scope of this report (and will be covered by my colleague Audrey Frick going forward), but I'm always happy to taste these wines and have opted to include this review. Revealing a translucent ruby hue as well as bright, juicy cherry and mulberry-like fruits, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a more focused, firm texture, good overall balance, and outstanding length.
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.