2007 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The dense, elegant, dark ruby/purple-hued 2007 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard Carneros comes from primarily the Calera and Pommard clones. It offers up notes of rose petals, plum sauce, raspberries, kirsch, cola, and earth followed by a rich, full-bodied finish. Enjoy this beauty over the next 7-10 years. Readers looking for wines packed with flavor as well as personality can do no better than uber-consultant Paul Hobbs’ line-up of Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Syrahs. All of his bottled wines showed even stronger than they did from barrel tastings. All of these Chardonnays spend between 10 and 16 months in barrel, with the percentage of new oak ranging from 80% (for the Cuvee Agustina), 70% (for the Walker Station), and 55-65% for the Ritchie, Ulises Valdez, and Richard Dinner cuvees. The 2008 Chardonnays, while very good, are not up to the level of the flawless 2007s. The 2008 Pinot Noirs performed well, although they are slightly lower-keyed wines without the structure and density of the 2007s. Paul Hobbs produces Syrah from the Kick Ranch Vineyard, which is in the so-called Petaluma Wind Gap (lots of wind and a cool coastal temperature). Tel. (707) 824-9879; Fax (707) 824-5843
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Vivid ruby. Exotically perfumed bouquet of red and dark berries, lily of the valley, soy sauce and smoky minerals. Palate-staining black raspberry and candied cherry flavors are deepened by a note of black cardamom and pick up a sexy rose pastille quality on the back end. The finish repeats the red berry note and lingers with excellent clarity and spicy persistence. This is complex enough to drink right now.
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.