1996
Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir, Hyde Vineyard Carneros, Napa Valley
Winemaker's Notes
Medium-deep ruby color; ripe black raspberry, bing cherry, forest floor, hints of smoke and bacon, brown spices, vanilla bean aromas; rich and luxurious texture, gives an amazingly long impression on the palate, packed with pure pinot fruit. Really makes me hungry. I feel very fortunate to have this new block of two exceptional pinot clones grown exclusively for us by the Hyde family. Alcohol 13.8%.
Vineyard
Owner/Manager
Hyde Family / Larry Hyde
Vineyard
Hyde Vineyard
Appellation
Carneros, Napa Valley
Clones
Cabernet sauvignon: See (aka backus)
Pinot noir: Swan, Calera and Beba
Vineyard Age
Calera-15 years, Swan-11 years, Beba-4 years
Site
Alluvial sandy-clay loam, gentle east facing hillside
Yield
less than 3 tons/acre
Harvest
Harvest Date
September 1 and 9, 1996
Harvest Brix
Calera-26.0, Swan-25.8, Beba-25.3
Growing Season
Excellent growing season; mild early autumn temperatures gave the fruit added time on the vine to mature slowly and fully; no precipitation at harvest.
Winemaking
Hand harvested grapes
Fermented in small open-top stainless steel fermentors
4 - 5 day cold soak, average 18 total days maceration
