1998
Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir, Hyde Vineyard Carneros, Napa Valley
Winemaker's Notes
Deep blue/red color; licorice scented notes enhance aromas of black cherry, menthol, and smoked meat. On the palate, accents of cherry, berry, and black tea evolve into the flavors of kirsch liqueur and crème de cassis, mingled with the rich, earthy soil tones of the Carneros. The mouth-feel has good density and weight, with a concentrated, lingering finish. Alcohol 14.2%.
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
Site
Alluvial sandy-clay loam, gentle east facing
Yield
Less than 1.8 tons/acre
Harvest
Harvest Date
September 30 and October 2, 1998
Harvest Brix
Beba/Calera ? 25.2°, Swan ? 25.0°
Growing Season
A cool, damp, spring delayed the start of the growing season, and contributed to a small crop yield. An extended, warm Indian Summer allowed the fruit to reach maturity with rich, complex flavors.
Winemaking
Hand harvested grapes
All fruit destemmed
Fermented in small 3.5 ton open-top stainless steel fermentors
4 - 5 day cold soak, 20 days total extended maceration
Cap hand punched
Fermentation by indigenous yeasts only
Native malolactic fermentation in barrels
Aged 9.5 months in small French oak barrels, 58% new
