Fall Release Hyde Vineyard Clare Chardonnay
2009

Winemaker’s Notes

This is a powerhouse of a Clare Chardonnay in the mould of our 2007 release and much more approachable than the 2008 was at a similar stage. It’s almost overflowing with rich pineapple, peach and nectarine fruit. The flavors and build of the wine offer a great contrast to our RRV wines which are more citrus-mineral based with greater honeyed and floral tones. The Clare is more powerful but less intense in its delivery, it leads with its richness, not its freshness – a subtle difference. Although it has some stony notes, the richness mostly overwhelms any sense of minerality in the wine. We added a small 9% fraction of later-harvested Long clone to the blend which provided these leaner stony notes and boosted the wine’s freshness. Generally though I would suggest you drink this vintage in its first three or four years and take full advantage of the extravagant richness on offer. If you’re looking for subtlety, I’ll point you toward chloe in 2009 because this wine is all about Californian sunshine and richness.

Light golden color; Rich full aromas of tangerine, ripe stone fruits, oatmeal, vanilla, a fresh spearmint edge with faint ginger and truffle notes. Very powerful stone fruit entry, lemon oil, saffron, nutmeg and pineapple. Rich weighty mid palate with sweet lime and lemongrass. Racy acidity picks up back end with length and persistence. Building almond flavor to the finish. Serve no cooler than 55 degrees. Drink between 2012 and 2016.

Andy Smith