Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard, Carneros 2018, Patz & Hall

This has a really exciting, vivacious aroma of raspberry and red cherry, with a suggestion of spring blossom. While perfumed and ‘airy,’ it has no shortage of intensity, flavour concentration or richness of texture. Impressively fine and sophisticated, with fantastic length of flavour. This makes no attempt to ape Burgundy – it is unashamed of its Californian origin, and is a fine expression of its style. Hyde Vineyard was lovingly planted and nurtured by Larry Hyde, establishing a reputation over forty years as one of California’s finest sites. Summer temperatures here are moderated by cool air and fog flowing in from the Pacific through the Petaluma Gap.