Massican
Hyde Vineyards Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California, USA
Nice. Lots of acidity. But not tightly wound. Medium in body.
Nice. Lots of acidity. But not tightly wound. Medium in body.
Aug 22nd, 2021
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.
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.
Brilliant light clear, little or no oak, explosive lemon with a hint of stemmy grip, impeccable acid/ fruit balance. Amazing depth of complexity, yet surprisingly light and alive. Pure pleasure, low ABV of 12.7, ever-changing kaleidoscope. Definitely rowing against the New World current, yet not Old World. Not a hint of reduction. Impressive as hell.
Brilliant light clear, little or no oak, explosive lemon with a hint of stemmy grip, impeccable acid/ fruit balance. Amazing depth of complexity, yet surprisingly light and alive. Pure pleasure, low ABV of 12.7, ever-changing kaleidoscope. Definitely rowing against the New World current, yet not Old World. Not a hint of reduction. Impressive as hell.
Jan 29th, 2021
