2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Hyde Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(14.9% alcohol): Bright ruby. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice, spicy oak, violet and bitter chocolate. Very suave and fine-grained but still incredibly primary, with its intense dark berry, black cherry, bitter chocolate and violet flavors displaying terrific palate presence. Finishes with plush, even tannins and slowly rising length. This wonderfully balanced wine is evolving slowly and gracefully. And it's distinctly less clenched than the Beckstoffer To Kalon bottling, which is tougher to taste today.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Glass-staining ruby. Seductive, high-pitched aromas of blackberry, cherry, minerals, Indian spices and dried flowers. Ripe and silky, combining sweetness with enticing spiciness of cabernet fruit and a mounting floral quality. Finishes sappy and very long, with a dusting of ripe tannins and a lingering hint of vanilla.
The saturated ruby/purple-hued 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Hyde Vineyard exhibits subtle smoky, bay leaf notes intermixed with scents of burning embers, charcoal, blackberries, and cassis. The finest red wine I have tasted from this vineyard, it is a beautifully proportioned, full-bodied Cabernet with a hint of a cool climate character as well as impressive precision and purity. It will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age, and last for 25+ years. This is a brilliant portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignons from Paul Hobbs, one of the wine world’s top consultants whose own California projects are augmented by his superb work in Argentina. Paul Hobbs’ Syrahs, Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs from outside of Napa will be reviewed in the next issue. Tel. (707) 824-9879; Fax (707) 824-5843
About the producer
Paul Hobbs is one of California wine’s biggest names. Twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker, he joined Robert Mondavi in 1977, worked at Opus One and Simi before setting up his eponymous winery in 1991.