Hyde Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay

I’ve rated and said this before, but this is my favorite vineyard designate and vintage of all of Tor’s Chardonnays. Drinking perfectly, this to me sits at the intersection of old and new world wines. Restraint, balance with and abundance of fruit flavors. Butter, lemon curd, vanilla, with a great acidity.

Finally seeing temps above 40 in the North East so time to break it some chard. The nose is full of tropical fruits and wet gravel. On the palate pineapple is the dominant flavor that hits me, followed by some citrus. Smooth and rich, there’s a bracing acidity that really gets you in the back of the jaw. Parker says drink until 2018, I think this could be even better in a year or two, but is so delicious now.

Lots of tropical fruit notes dominate the nose - most predominantly candied pineapple. This has been sitting for about two years which greatly benefited the wine.ore integrated and less brash from then I tried not last. On the palate, there is an intense burst of minerals, lemon curd, and tropical fruit. Some tartness/acidity but also very creamy with a rich mouthfeel and long finish. Very nice.

Ripe tropical fruit - mango and charred pineapple. Yellow apple and ripe Asian pear. M acid. M/m+ body. Oak is more prevalent on the palate. M finish.

Wow, very nice!! Showing its baby fat now, will mature nicely

Delicious as with my previous bottle. Well integrated oak, good beam of acid, and long finish. Very well done.

Very expressive. Good acidity, some citrus notes, fairly integrated oak. Oak handled well.

Good but not great. Acquired via auction. Something about the acidity and tartness that held back the wine for me.

Delicious. White peaches, honeysuckle, and apricots. Refreshing and elegant.

Tropical fruit and oak. Not too fat. Nice balance.