“From more than 30-year-old vines planted to Beba clone, the 2018 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard fermented with 12% whole cluster and was aged in 40% new Francois Freres barrels for 13 months. Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, it offers up the most beautiful perfume of red roses, candied violets and black raspberries with nuances of kirsch, garrigue, tilled soil and moss-covered tree bark. Medium-bodied, the palate is delicately played with loads of finely crafted red and black berry layers and a firm line of fine-grained tannins, finishing long and earthy.”

“A pinot with plenty of dried-strawberry and cherry aromas with some dried vanilla and orange peel. It’s medium-to full-bodied with plenty of ripe fruit and intensity. Firm tannins. Vanilla undertones at the end. Give it a year or two to come together. Try in 2023.”

“From a site in Napa, the 2018 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard is another richer, sexy wine. Black raspberries, sappy flowers, forest floor, and earth all flow to a medium to full-bodied effort that has subtle oak, no hard edges, and plenty of length. I’d give bottles a year or two, and it should evolve nicely.”

“The 2018 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard is soft, fruity and translucent. Sweet red cherry, mint, cedar and sweet floral notes all come together in this super-expressive Pinot Noir. The 2018 is elegant and refined, but also very much on the ethereal side. The 10% whole clusters are not especially evident; the 35-40% new oak is well-integrated.”