2022 HDV Vineyard De La Guerra Chardonnay

Tasting Notes

This Chardonnay is described as full-bodied and complex, with aromas of honey, almonds, white flowers, and dried lemons. On the palate, it delivers plenty of fruit, a warm and lifted character, and subtle mineral and neutral oak flavors on the finish. The wine is made from 70% Wente clone and 30% Calera clone, contributing to its depth and structure. It’s noted for being flavorful and intense, yet balanced and drinkable now, with excellent aging potential.

About Winery

Hyde de Villaine (HdV) is a prestigious winery in Napa Valley, born from a collaboration between two legendary winemaking families: the Hyde family of California and the de Villaine family of Burgundy, France. The partnership was solidified through the marriage of Pamela Fairbanks, cousin of Larry Hyde, to Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), one of the most revered wine estates in the world.

Founded in 2000, HdV combines Old World finesse with New World vibrancy, producing wines exclusively from the Hyde Vineyard in Carneros. This vineyard, established by Larry Hyde in 1979, is renowned for its cool climate and loamy soils, ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. HdV’s winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the vineyard’s terroir to shine through. They employ organic, biodynamic, and sustainable practices, and their wines undergo full malolactic fermentation to balance the naturally high acidity of the fruit.

HdV’s wines are known for their refinement, minerality, and age-worthiness, often described as more French in style than Californian. The winery’s label features the de la Guerra family crest, honoring Larry Hyde’s ancestral lineage, which traces back to one of California’s earliest winemaking families.