1999
Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir, Hyde Vineyard Carneros, Napa Valley
Winemaker's Notes
Deep violet/red garnet color; enticing aromas of smoked almond, black cherry, and bergamot tea. Vibrant, juicy flavors of fresh crushed wild raspberries mingled with vanilla and toasted oats. These flavors resonate in their focus and purity. There is a harmony of fruit and oak that gives this Pinot Noir finesse without taking away from its power. Firm tannins and flavors that don?t quit speak well for the wine?s ability to age an additional 5 to 7 years. Alcohol 14.4%.
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
The long, cool La Niña summer of 1999 promoted excellent flavor retention in the grapes, with high acidity and low pH. The warm Indian summer weather in October fully ripened the fruit to produce some of the best wines of the decade to reach maturity with rich, complex flavors.
Winemaking
Hand harvested grapes
Fermented in small 4 ton open-top stainless steel fermentors
4-5 day cold soak, 22 days total extended maceration
Cap hand punched
Fermentation by indigenous yeasts only
Native malolactic fermentation in barrels
Aged 11 months in small French oak barrels, 42% new
