PATZ & HALL 2012 “Hyde Vineyard” Carneros Chardonnay
VINEYARD
This wine is 100% Chardonnay sourced from the Hyde Vineyard, which was purchased by Larry Hyde in 1979 and planted two years later. This renowned property is cultivated as 44 distinct blocks. The Hyde-Wente selection used for this Chardonnay is planted on the best soils at Hyde: very low vigor and extremely well drained sandy, clay loam, which lowers the yields even further than typical for this small-berried clone.
CELLAR
The grapes are whole cluster pressed. Fermentations are carried out using completely indigenous yeast. It is aged surlies in Burgundian French oak barrels (50% new) with weekly stirring and completes malo-lactic fermentation in barrel. Bottled without filtration.
ACCOLADES
94 points – Wine Enthusiast
93 points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
92+points – Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar