Located in gently rolling terrain north of Carneros Highway, the soils are quite heavy clay. Vine selection is Old Wente, Robert Young and Long Vineyards - each a Wente selection themselves-ranging in age from 7 to 26 years old. The Wente is marked by very small grape clusters, with small berries, and the so-called "hen-and-chick"--large and small berries within the same cluster.

The Wente produces a classic, Burgundian-style wine, without the tropical fruit tones of some California Chardonnays. The Long Vineyards selection adds a floral note, and the Hyde Vineyard wines often seem charming and feminine. High natural acidity plays a prominent role.

Highlighted Reviews: 2006 Vintage

93 Robert M. Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate, December 2008
The three single vineyard Chardonnays are all from top sites, the Hudson and Hyde vineyards in Carneros, and the Russian River’s Ritchie Vineyard. My favorite of this trio is the 2006 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard. It reveals gorgeous acidity, more tropical fruit, nectarine, and orange blossom characteristics, a greenish hue to its color (always a good sign), and long, full-bodied flavors.

91 California Grapevine, Vol. 34, No. 6, Dec 2008-Jan 2009
Medium-light golden yellow; attractive, forward, intense, buttery, slightly tropical, baked apple aroma with notes of vanilla and roasted hazelnut; full body; forward, rich, textured, concentrated, ripe pear and green apple flavors with notes of citrus and a crisp finish;  well balanced and structured. Deserves several more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.

94 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June 2008
Yellow-gold. Stunningly nuanced aromas of smoky lemon, lime, poached pear, licorice and iodine complicated by dusty talc and white flowers. Impressively chewy and deeply concentrated, offering strong citrus and orchard fruit flavors underscored by smoky minerals and succulent herbs. This extremely complex wine has the concentration and balance to reward patience.

92 (two puffs) Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, February 2009
Something of a cross between the other offerings from Ramey, this well-fruited, fairly juicy effort is a bit more measured than the Ritchie while having a fair bit of the layering of the Hudson. If it falls back at all, it is due to the less forceful nature of its personality, yet to call it anything but deep and brilliantly executed is to take too much away from it. It earns both its own round of applause and place in the cellar.

94 Wine Spectator, Dec. 31, 2008-Jan. 15, 2009
A lovely integration of seductive smoky vanilla oak with vibrant peach- and pear-laced fruit enlivened by zingy acidity. A full-blown yet elegant and delicious Chardonnay. Drink now through 2011. 2,550 cases made. –JL

Highlighted Reviews: 2005 Vintage

95 Robert M. Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate December 2007
A stunning effort, the 2005 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard boasts great intensity along with huge tropical fruit notes interwoven with notions of spring flowers, orange marmalade, white peaches, and steely minerals. Its abundant fruit conceals any evidence of wood. Well-delineated, with outstanding acidity as well as a layered, sumptuous finish, it should age nicely for 4-5 years, possibly longer.

90 California Grapevine, Vol. 332, No. 6, Dec 2007-Jan 2008
Medium-light golden yellow; attractive, floral, ripe pear and spiced apple aroma with hints of nut meg and toasted hazelnut; full body; forward, rich, spicy, ripe pear and green apple flavors with notes of citrus and creamy oak; well balanced and structured; lingering aftertaste. Very appealing to taste now though deserving of several more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.

94 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June 2008
Yellow-gold. Stunningly nuanced aromas of smoky lemon, lime, poached pear, licorice and iodine complicated by dusty talc and white flowers. Impressively chewy and deeply concentrated, offering strong citrus and orchard fruit flavors underscored by smoky minerals and succulent herbs. This extremely complex wine has the concentration and balance to reward patience.

View all reviews of this wine

Photos from the vineyard
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Hyde Vineyard Owners		View of Ramey Block Hyde Vineyard