KA

9.0

Golden Steer NY — 2 months ago

David Peifer

9.7

What a delicious and versatile Sauvignon Blanc from Larry Hyde. Crisp and refreshing with lemongrass and citrus. Paired with seared scallops in butter and garlic it took on a caramel creamy deliciousness. But paired with scallop ceviche brought out a briny saline and lemon peel with white peach undertones. — 5 months ago

David Peifer

8.9

Less floral than other vintages. Golden Straw — in a good way. Enjoy Hyde’s Viognier very much. — 9 months ago

Eric

9.2

Super Bowl Sunday 2023 Chardonnay. Larry Hyde grows reliably good berries. 2017. Austere, linear, well-balanced. Cheers! — 3 years ago

Billy L.

9.3

Excellent Welcome Chardonnay at Hyde Vineyards in Carneros. Larry Hyde grows great grapes! Cheers — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.4

My first experience with Ferren, and wanted to check in ahead of the release next month. Knowing the vineyard source and the winemaker’s background, I had very high hopes.

When I first opened it, I was taken aback at how acidic it was. Spritz-like for the first 30mins, but the back of the palate had a good bit of richness, so I figured this just needed time to open. Bingo. At two hours in, this hit stride. It started off similar to Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons chard due to its acidic nature, but as it shed that, it became more reminiscent of Aubert’s Powder House and Kistler’s McCrea. It doesn’t have the same texture that Aubert does, but it has more richness and complexity than what I’ve found Kistler to have (consistently). Very Sonoma Coast. Lemon cream, tart citrus, dash of sea salt and lemon rind on the nose. Not quite waxy on the palate, but it gained heft and showed amazing weight when compared to its acidic lift/structure. Ripe Asian pear, powdered lemon bar, honeysuckle, and a vein of “minerality” down the mid palate. Only getting better! — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Got to pop some special bottles when my good friend Shawn came in to town!

My second bottle to pop of the evening. In my experience with PM, this seems to be the most elegant/finesse bottle I’ve had. Of guessing blind, I think I would have gone to burgundy. And it has sub 14 ABV! I always assume PM is ripe, rich and full bodied but this was restrained. On the nose it was very tropical showing stone fruits, mango, sugar crusted guava and ginger shavings. Reminiscent of Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons Chardonnay on the palate as the acidity is really energetic. Crushed limestone, powdered lemon bar and a cotton candy like sweetness toward the finish. No problem popping these now. — 6 years ago

with Shawn

Andy@andyberke.com

9.3

Excellent. Plenty of butter, honey, and lemon — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2020 vintage. Medium bodied with plenty of flavors. Striving for soft complexities versus heavy absolutes. Didn't decant but probably should have and would likely feature better as a "Day Two" wine for those inclined to do so. Me? Sleep or fight today/tonight because tomorrow never knows. Sorry, Liverpool lads. 10.23.25. — 8 months ago

Shay A

9.5

Two years since my last bottle, and the time definitely helped elevate the overall profile.

Annual anniversary opening of an Aubert as they are my wife’s favorite (and certainly up there in favorites for me as well).

The inaugural vintage for Park Avenue, this is a wine that bursts in to the room Kramer-style. No trepidation in profile for a first vintage wine, Park Avenue screams Aubert all day with some of the hallmarks of others in the lineup. To me, this seemed like a marriage of Larry Hyde (more acidity; bright) and CIX (more opulent; power). In the glass, I was surprised how clear this poured, and not the typical slightly cloudy look I’m used to. Aromatics of white peach, lemon scone, baking spices, and sea salt. The palate has Aubert richness and signature lemon cream, as well as a good vein of acidity (similar to LH, maybe also Powder House). Toes the line slightly toward elegant vs power (Lauren, CIX). Gorgeous mid-palate texture, lingering finish. Another home-run for the Aubert portfolio. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.2

This was one of my wines from my annual WWC hosting. The other whites were Bereche Brut Reserve for the champagne, a 2015 Bongran EJ Thevent (burgundy) Chardonnay and a 2017 Moone-Tsai Ritchie Chardonnay.

Color me impressed. I have enjoyed Calera’s pinots quite a bit, but I haven’t had as much experience with the Chardonnay’s. It was almost like a Aubert Larry Hyde “lite”. As this was tasted blind, most guessed this was Chardonnay, but lots of back and forth on where it would be from. Initially, this toed the line between steely and slightly oaked with bright citrus, lemon, clean aromatics…but after an hour in the glass, this really bulked up and sported a down-the-middle type medium bodied profile. Not lean, not powerful. The tart lemon turned to a more lemon cream profile with lots of floral/honeysuckle notes, alongside herb crusted yellow fruits. No problem opening now, but I’d love to try another one of these in a few years. 92+ — 5 years ago

Laura Purdy

9.5

This is the 2015 Larry Hyde Estate Pinot Noir.

Afternoon virtual tasting complete! What a unique Pinot - complex with flavors of allspice and dark berries — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

The Fantesca property on Spring Mtn is gorgeous, and their tasting room at the winery is stunning. Really enjoyed getting to try more of their wines.

I’m really picky on chardonnay, but this was intoxicating. It’s crazy young, but this is going to vault up the scale for me. First comparison that comes to mind is Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons, but with a touch less acidity (still plenty). This is supremely balanced. Honeyed stone fruits, lemon cream, and a slate/mineral note on the nose. Rich without being too dense. Vibrant. Powdered sugar lemon bar, meringue, and honey roasted cashews. This was (or may still be), the only chardonnay Heidi Barrett makes. — 6 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Good wine. On the richer side of Syrah. — 4 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Pop and pour. A medium straw color. On the nose: lemon, pear, brioche, matchstick, green melon, caramel. Taste: fresh, balanced, chalky wine with nectarine, lemon peel, minerals, and a long crushed stone, citrus rind finish. YUM! Hog Island oysters were so good 2 days ago had to have em again with this wine. — 7 months ago

with Brenda

Shay A

9.3

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

As part of my white wine flight theme, I wanted to compare Hyde and Hudson side by side, then finish with Kongsgaard, since it is a blend of both.

While more opulent in style compared to the Larry Hyde before it, this isn’t as full throttle as Hudson’s of old used to be. With almost 6yrs on it, this was fresh and fairly light on its feet. Same sweet aromatics of cotton candy, marzipan, and lemon cream. It’s rich/oily on the palate, but it doesn’t feel heavy or dense. Honeyed tropical fruits and baking spices with a nice, mildly sweet finish. I’m surprised to say this seems freshly bottled…tasty now though. — 2 years ago

Billy L.

9.5

This is Smokin’ Good right now! Paul Hobbs makes great wine & Larry Hyde grows killer grapes! Cheers 🍇🍷👍🏻👏🏻🙌🏻 — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.2

This has got to be one of my first 2018s to open, and while I’d normally refrain even if for only a bit longer, this producer has piqued my interest too much. Accolades are great and all, but many fellow winemakers have spoken highly of Dan’s project, which is enough reason to open and see how this is showing.

Normally for my palate, Hyde Chardonnay’s show a lot of bright stone fruit with high acidity (ex: Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons...plenty of acidity, lighter style, big fruit up front). Dan has taken Hyde’s fruit and put it front and center. Everything about this wine is about the vineyard. Crystalline and pure. On the nose, it is very ripe without being boozy...grilled lemon, lemon-lime tart, even some kiwi, with floral honeysuckle and sea salt. The palate reveals such an intense expression of the fruit with hardly any notice of oak. This has a strong mineral core and high acidity type backbone, but the mid palate and finish show plenty of ripe lemon, powdered lemon bar tart type flavors. 12.7ABV! Nothing sweet, rich or flabby about this wine. Not sure how it ages, but very enjoyable. — 5 years ago

Laura Purdy

9.7

Final selection for the afternoon tasting - this is a gorgeous Syrah. Violet on the nose and with many of layers of fruit - ripe blueberries and strawberry — 6 years ago

Joe Estrada

10

In honor of Larry Saarloos whom was called to the vineyard in the sky on April 23, 2020. Your leadership & example you set for your family will never be forgotten #SSCO — 6 years ago

with Brad and Greg