HYDE DE VILLAINE, CALIFORNIA 2022 RELEASE

Wine Region

Napa Valley, California

Vineyard

63 hectares

Located in Carneros, at the southern end of the Napa Valley, it is the brainchild of Californian viticulturist Larry Hyde, of Napa’s renowned Hyde Vineyards. Representing Burgundy is Aubert de Villaine, recently retired co-manager of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. And the original link was Pamela de Villaine: Aubert’s wife and Larry Hyde’s cousin.

When this collaboration began, in 2000, HDV (as it is known for short) was given the pick of Hyde Vineyards’ 156 acres (63 hectares). 19 acres (7.7ha) were chosen, which today provide the fruit for the wines in this offer: Belle Cousine (a Bordeaux blend), Californio (a Syrah, yes with an ‘o’), Ygnacia Pinot Noir and the Chardonnays (the more senior of which is the old vine, Old Wente clone ‘Comandante’).

The remainder of Hyde Vineyards’ production is sourced by many of Napa’s big names, such as Kistler and Ramey – some 40 clients in all, with as many again on a waiting list.

For the past several years, California has suffered significant droughts. The lack of rain has added extra stress during so-called ‘fire season’ to the vineyards of Northern California. HDV has evaded the direct impact of the smoke and fires, but the cumulative lack of rain from 2018-2021 has put a squeeze on yields.

Guy Seddon, Fine Wine Buyer

October 2022

The 2018 vintage

A gentle season, making for wines of aroma and elegance. A vintage particularly suited to Pinot Noir in fact, which is fortunate given this year’s offer! February saw abundant rains, followed by generous sunlight in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred slightly late, but under ideal weather conditions, making for a plentiful and even fruit set. Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The relatively mild summer followed by extended autumn sunshine and moderate heat created near-ideal conditions for the fruit to accumulate flavour complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels.

The 2019 vintage

An exciting vintage of balance, concentration, and purity of flavours, focused by fresh acidity. A dry start to winter was followed by heavy rains, which lasted into early spring. The late rains resulted in high vegetative vigour, a lower-than-average fruit set and generally challenging viticultural conditions. However, summer came up trumps with exceptional weather – cool, blanketing fog in the mornings followed by warm sunny afternoons. These optimal conditions made for a lengthy growing season, allowing the fruit to slowly ripen and preserve the finesse and freshness of the vintage. Thanks to James Eyer, General Manager of Hyde de Villaine, for these insights into the three vintages in this year’s offer. James sums up 2020, HDV’s 20th anniversary vintage, as one resulting in wines “full of character and personality, emphasizing the strength and resilience of Hyde Vineyard.” The growing season was defined by extreme drought and intense heat, creating challenges for growth and ripening. Yields were 30% below the 10-year average. Despite these challenges, both in the vineyards and in the wider region, which was affected by wildfires, the 2020 vintage is one of high-quality wines, of precision and finesse.

Carneros spans the southern end of both Napa and Sonoma counties, benefitting from warmth from the north and the cooling influences of the misty San Pablo Bay. Phylloxera decimated the vineyards of Carneros in the late 1900s and Prohibition slowed the recovery. By the 1970s, there was growing recognition of a typicity of style and in the 1980s, planting accelerated. Carneros nestles in the low hills of the Macayamas mountains. Although the majority is in Sonoma, the wines may be labelled as Sonoma or Napa AVA (American Viticultural Area). Proximity to San Pablo Bay is key, the fogs and coastal breezes, channelled through the Petaluma Gap, providing a cooling influence and allowing for a prolonged growing season. Carneros won AVA status in its own right in 1983. HDV’s wines are from a near-contiguous series of plots within Hyde Vineyards, on gently rolling hills, facing southeast. The Chardonnay and Syrah are planted on shallow, loamy soils over ancient alluvial terraces and hard clay. The Merlot and Cabernet are clustered at the northern end of the vineyard, further from the cooling fog of the bay, the better to ripen. The soils are deeper here too and the south-east slopes are steeper. The temperate Carneros climate prolongs the growing season, allowing the vines to steadily build intensity and complexity whilst retaining acidity. Drainage is helped by ancient creek beds which lie between the topsoil and the clay pan. Enough moisture is generally retained to make irrigation unnecessary.

BELLE COUSINE

Belle Cousine, named after Larry Hyde’s cousin Pamela de Villaine, is a Bordeaux blend – 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is made from 2.4 hectares of vines with an age range between 15 and 30+ years. As for all the reds, it is unfiltered and unfined.

HDV BELLE COUSINE 2018

60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Picked 28th September (Merlot) and 23rd October (Cabernet). Aged for 22 months in 20% new French oak. 480 cases were produced. Pure, intense cassis aromas, with fresh mint and tomato leaf. So expressive! The palate is supple and inviting on the entry, with firm tannins asserting themselves on the mid-palate, providing shape and announcing a wine of real ageing potential. I would not dissuade you from drinking this now but suspect it will continue to soften and improve over the next year or so. 14% abv.

Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2023–2030
£915 / CASE OF 12 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK

'CALIFORNIO' SYRAH

Not a spelling mistake but the name given to early California settlers, of Spanish descendancy, who ventured to the Wild West. Despite the Californian name, the European heritage of HDV is the inspiration here: the aim is site typicity whilst capturing the Syrah grape’s beguiling aromatics.

HDV 'CALIFORNIO' SYRAH 2018

Californio is made from 0.8 hectares of south-southeast facing vines aged 18 to 24 years. Picked on 3rd and 5th October. The different batches were aged separately for around five months before blending, with 16 months’ ageing in 20% new French oak. A white peppery nose with shiny bitter cherry fruit, this comes bounding out of the glass like an eager (but impeccably trained) puppy. Hints of smoky bacon – proper Syrah this! The palate is sveltly, sleekily textured and packed with violet and dark cherry flavours, its fine tannins channelling the liquid into a fine, sustained finish. 14% abv.

Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2023–2030
£865 / CASE OF 12 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK

PINOT NOIR

It was a long wait for HDV’s first Pinot Noir. Ygnacia is from Napa’s Hyde Vineyard. It is a beguiling Pinot of dark cherry fruit and earthy minerality, with more than a passing resemblance to Gevrey-Chambertin.

HDV ‘YGNACIA’ PINOT NOIR 2019

Ygnacia is made from just 0.7 hectares of nine year-old vines within Hyde Vineyard, facing south. The soil is clay loam over dense clay pan. Picked on 5th September. 15% new oak. Bottled in May 2020. 411 cases were made. Dark berry aromas, with that fine line of crushed rock minerality and gentle flinty reduction that announces high quality Pinot Noir. You would be forgiven for guessing Côte de Nuits here. The palate opens with an inky-dark intensity, which is quickly enlivened by plush raspberry fruit and buoyant acidity. Pure and transparent, this is a Napa Pinot of substance, with admirable finesse. 13% abv.

Corney & Barrow Score 18+
Recommended drinking from 2023–2029
£1,220 / CASE OF 12 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK

CHARDONNAY

For many the pinnacle of HDV, Chardonnay is a grape that lends itself effortlessly to a Franco-Californian collaboration. These are proudly rooted in their home soils and climate whilst retaining enviable acidity and attaining new levels of elegance with each vintage.

HDV CHARDONNAY 2019

HDV’s flagship Chardonnay comes from the older blocks of Hyde Vineyard, vines of between 28 and 40 years of age, planted with Old Wente and Calera clones. Picked 5th – 27th September. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. 2,323 cases were produced. A simply delightful nose, of ripe peach, cedar and a little struck-match minerality. Textbook high quality Chardonnay. The palate is textured and wonderfully aromatic – peach, apricot, hay and cedar flavours, enlivened by juicy acidity. A delectable wine, which will be drinking upon arrival. 14% abv.

Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2023–2028
£795 / CASE OF 12 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK

HDV COMANDANTE CHARDONNAY 2020

From 42 year-old vines, Old Wente clone Chardonnay is planted on shallow loam over clay hardpan, facing south by southeast. A mere 0.3 hectares in size, so quantities are tiny. It has been singled out as it is the only remaining original planting in Hyde Vineyard. This 2020 marks 20 years of HDV. Picked 27th August and bottled in May 2022. Just 136 cases were made. Fine, flinty aromas of white peach and honeysuckle, with a rich hint of demerara sugar. The palate abounds in extract and grip, the forceful attack driving on to a mid-palate of verve and power, on which classical Chardonnay flavours of stone-fruit merge with fine cedar. The finish is long and strident, with aroma filling the mouth for a minute or more. Stunning. 14% abv.

Corney & Barrow Score 18.5
Recommended drinking from 2023–2030
£765 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK

Introduction

Hyde de Villaine bridges Napa and Burgundy, uniting two of the world’s great wine families.

The remainder of Hyde Vineyards’ production is sourced by many of Napa’s big names, such as Kistler and Ramey – some 40 clients in all, with as many again on a waiting list.

Guy Seddon, Fine Wine Buyer

October 2022

The Wines More about the producer

VINTAGE NOTES

Thanks to James Eyer, General Manager of Hyde de Villaine, for these insights into the three vintages in this year’s offer.

The 2018 vintage

A gentle season, making for wines of aroma and elegance. A vintage particularly suited to Pinot Noir in fact, which is fortunate given this year’s offer!

February saw abundant rains, followed by generous sunlight in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred slightly late, but under ideal weather conditions, making for a plentiful and even fruit set.

Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The relatively mild summer followed by extended autumn sunshine and moderate heat created near-ideal conditions for the fruit to accumulate flavour complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels.

The 2019 vintage

An exciting vintage of balance, concentration, and purity of flavours, focused by fresh acidity.

A dry start to winter was followed by heavy rains, which lasted into early spring. The late rains resulted in high vegetative vigour, a lower-than-average fruit set and generally challenging viticultural conditions.

However, summer came up trumps with exceptional weather – cool, blanketing fog in the mornings followed by warm sunny afternoons. These optimal conditions made for a lengthy growing season, allowing the fruit to slowly ripen and preserve the finesse and freshness of the vintage.

The 2020 vintage

Thanks to James Eyer, General Manager of Hyde de Villaine, for these insights into the three vintages in this year’s offer.

James sums up 2020, HDV’s 20th anniversary vintage, as one resulting in wines “full of character and personality, emphasizing the strength and resilience of Hyde Vineyard.”

The growing season was defined by extreme drought and intense heat, creating challenges for growth and ripening. Yields were 30% below the 10-year average. Despite these challenges, both in the vineyards and in the wider region, which was affected by wildfires, the 2020 vintage is one of high-quality wines, of precision and finesse.

CARNEROS & HYDE VINEYARDS

Carneros spans the southern end of both Napa and Sonoma counties, benefitting from warmth from the north and the cooling influences of the misty San Pablo Bay.

Phylloxera decimated the vineyards of Carneros in the late 1900s and Prohibition slowed the recovery. By the 1970s, there was growing recognition of a typicity of style and in the 1980s, planting accelerated.

Carneros nestles in the low hills of the Macayamas mountains. Although the majority is in Sonoma, the wines may be labelled as Sonoma or Napa AVA (American Viticultural Area).

Proximity to San Pablo Bay is key, the fogs and coastal breezes, channelled through the Petaluma Gap, providing a cooling influence and allowing for a prolonged growing season. Carneros won AVA status in its own right in 1983.

HDV’s wines are from a near-contiguous series of plots within Hyde Vineyards, on gently rolling hills, facing southeast.

The Chardonnay and Syrah are planted on shallow, loamy soils over ancient alluvial terraces and hard clay. The Merlot and Cabernet are clustered at the northern end of the vineyard, further from the cooling fog of the bay, the better to ripen. The soils are deeper here too and the south-east slopes are steeper.

The temperate Carneros climate prolongs the growing season, allowing the vines to steadily build intensity and complexity whilst retaining acidity. Drainage is helped by ancient creek beds which lie between the topsoil and the clay pan. Enough moisture is generally retained to make irrigation unnecessary.