Hyde Pinot Noir

Hand-sorted while still cold from the field. 9% whole cluster inclusion. Fermented in small, open-top stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. 5-6 day cold soak, 14 day maceration. Gentle punchdowns. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrel. Aged 10months in French oak barrels; 59%new. Coopers: Cadus, Damy, Francois Frères, Louis Latour. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Vineyard owner: Larry Hyde. Clonal selection: Beba, Calera. Rootstock: 101-14, 420a, 3309. Plant Date: 1994, 2008. Soils: Haireloam and Bressa-Dibble; weathered sandstone and shale. Exposure: 2-30%slope, northeast and southeast. Trellis and pruning: vertical shoot positioned(vsp) | bilateral cane. Yield: 2.0tons/acre

Garnet with a deep violet core, the Hyde Vineyard Pinot Noir is refinement, balance, restraint, and precision encapsulated in a single wine. Elegant aromas of confiture, Rainier cherry, iron and clay waft delicately from the glass. On the palate, high-toned wild berry, savory game, and a touch of clove are framed by ultrafine-grained tannins and bright acidity.

Try with thinly sliced saucisson sec, or a classic duck confit salad with peppery arugula. Serve at 50°-55° F.