2012 Hyde De Villaine Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley

It is almost impossible to overstate the quality of wines that both Aubert de Villaine and Larry Hyde have made. Combining the high-quality Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay with the Co-Director of Domaine Romanée Conti's extensive wine-making history may have been the luckiest thing to happen to any Chardonnay connoisseur. This wine will surely impress any Burgundy or Napa Chardonnay drinker. 

Hyde de Villaine is a venture between the Hyde Family of Napa Valley and the de Villaine Family of Burgundy. We were lucky enough for there to have been a marriage between these two families, which has enabled this estate to come to fruition. The grapes are all grown at the Hyde Vineyard in Carneros that Larry Hyde planted there nearly 40 years ago. The vineyard is farmed with sustainability in mind, promoting a healthy microbiome in the soil pushing the vines to produce exceptional grapes. The old age of the vines plus the careful attention that the team provides through the growing season ultimately produces wine that is nothing short of exceptional.

February saw abundant rains, followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred a bit late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set. Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The relatively mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat created near-ideal conditions for winemakers to allow their fruit to accumulate flavor complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels.

Aging: 14 months in 20% new French Oak Barrels