Merryvale Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard, 2006

Intense aromas of pear, apricot, orange blossom and ripe apple are framed by crisp minerality and spicy oak notes. The wine is rich and balanced in the mouth with long finish

Larry Hyde farms some of the most sought after grapes in the cool Carneros growing region of Napa. This wine is a blend of two blocks of Chardonnay from the Hyde Vineyard.

The 2006 vintage has been described as a “growers” year by some vintners. After a late bud break due to an unseasonably cool spring, the Napa Valley experienced a record setting heat wave in July which allowed the grapes to catch up in ripening. An ideal mild weather pattern came in August and an “Indian Summer” followed into October allowing for slow and even ripening resulting in acids and sugars in perfect harmony.

The grapes are hand-picked, carefully sorted, whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented. The wine spends 17 months in French Oak, with 60% new barrels.