The 2017 Chardonnay opens with pure notes of poached pears, white peach, quince and apple pie plus notions of citrus blossoms, smoke, toast and honeyed hints in the undercurrent—what a superb perfume! The palate is still youthfully wound, offering energetic citrus and mineral-laced fruits, tangy, vibrant and bright and finishing very long and nuanced.

Chalky at first, the 2016 Chardonnay takes its time to reveal citrus blossoms, lime peel, crushed stone, apricots and pure lemon and apple fruit with dusty, minerally nuances. The palate walks a wonderful line of pure, ripe fruits and fresh citrusy and rocky accents. It has a silky texture, tangy lift and a very long, nuanced finish. This has the stuffing and structure to be very long lived.

Powerfully structured, with ripe citrus accents to the fresh white fruit and spice flavors, supported by ample acidity. Hints of tropical fruit emerge midpalate, leading to a finish that shows savory richness. Best from 2022 through 2027. 1,561 cases made.

The 2015 Belle Cousine is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Hyde Vineyard. Dark, pliant and super-expressive, the 2015 is endowed with striking purity and nuance. All the elements are impeccably balanced in this pristine, beautiful wine. Bright red fruit, spice, cedar and floral notes meld together in a silky, captivating wine from Hyde De Villaine. The 2015 is a stunner. That's all there is to it.

The 2016 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is a very pretty wine. Gentle apricot, tangerine, spice, dried flowers and mint are all woven together. Although quite subtle, the 2016 has plenty of structure, it is just expressed in an understated manner. There is so much to admire in this pristine Chardonnay from Hyde De Villaine. Silky and polished, the 2016 will drink well upon release.

So elegant and complex with so much perfume and rose petal character. Dark fruit. Strawberry. Cedar. Full body, yet bright and focused. Refined and beautiful. Layers. Stone and cement undertones. Drink or hold. Love.

This is very dense and tannic with smoky and juicy character, showing walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. Full-bodied, rustic and real. Very tannic. Austere. Serious. Give it two or three years to soften a little, but I like it!

The 2015 Syrah Californio Hyde Vineyard is pliant, supple and very beautiful, with silky tannins that push the red-toned fruit forward. This is a decidedly medium in body, restrained wine for the year. Still very primary and fruity, with pretty overtones from a touch of whole clusters, the 2015 is going to need a few years in bottle to develop the full range of its aromatics. Stylistically, this is a Syrah with Pinot-like leanings.

This is dense and spicy with leather, dried herbs, sweet tobacco, and dark berries. White pepper, too. Full-bodied, layered and flavorful with so much complexity and real syrah character. Wonderful finish. Drink or hold.

The 2014 Syrah Californio Hyde Vineyard offers good varietal character in a mid-weight, perfumed style. For a wine made in a drought vintage, the 2014 remains surprisingly light on its feet and aromatic. There is good brightness to the sweet red cherry and plum fruit, along with enough freshness to drink well for at least another handful of years.

A very solid red offering dried-strawberry, violet and cedar aromas and flavors with hints of oak. Full-bodied, firm and chewy with fantastic length and complexity. Great potential.

Full in body, with fleshy, dark berry and currant fruit character, yet there is a great balance between the fruit ripeness and fresh acidity to finish. It’s very clean and pure, an attractive wine that has good ageing potential. A fine Napa Valley blend. So youthful, despite its relative age.

The 2016 Belle Cousine is another absolutely gorgeous wine in this range from Hyde De Villaine. Ripe plum, mocha, new leather, spice, menthol and grilled herbs infuse the 2016 with striking complexity. Despite its considerable appeal, the 2016 is potent and massively tannic. Time in the glass gives a good idea of what will develop in time; readers should plan on being patient. The Belle Cousine is very clearly a special wine in the making.

The 2017 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is a blend of Calera and Wente clones, which, along with the decision to pick early, yields a Chardonnay with distinctly salty, saline notes that give the wine energy, tension and persistence. Orchard fruit, white flowers, mint and white pepper add striking aromatic top notes. The 2017 is quiet understated, but it is also just sublime. The 2017 spent 12 months in oak (15% new) and about four months in tank prior to bottling. It is pure class.

The 2017 Pinot Noir Ygnacia Hyde Vineyard is ripe, vibrant and exotic. An explosion of sweet red cherry, plum, lavender, mint, rose petal and cinnamon bursts out of the glass in this exuberant Pinot. The 2017 is decidedly racy, and yet it is also so delicious and so irresistible, that readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off. The 2017 was done with just a touch of whole clusters (8%), but the stems are not especially noticeable.

The 2016 Syrah Californio Hyde Vineyard is a dense, powerful wine that remains very much within the classic style favored here. Inky dark fruit, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, tobacco and incense add striking layers of nuance to this dark, beautifully resonant Syrah. The 2016 spent 18 months in French oak, 20% of which was new. A reduction of time in barrel by a few months really helps the purity of the fruit come through. This is a superb vintage for the Syrah.

Wonderful, juicy white with cooked pineapple, praline and biscuit. Some apricots. Full-bodied, tangy and edgy with lots of energetic fruit. Focused and lively. Minerality is the word. Drink or hold.

A blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon that delivers green-olive, currant and tobacco character. Medium-to full-bodied, silky and refined. Shows focus and beauty. A very calm and serene red. Traditional. Drink or hold.

A tight, juicy red with dried-meat and blackberry flavors. Full body. Clove, stone and spice undertones. Reserved, yet pretty. Medium finish. Drink now.

This shows really decadent, wild aromas and flavors of meat, game and forest floor. Dried fruit, such as strawberry and orange peel. Medium to full body. Creamy and focused finish. Balanced and tight. Really savory at the end. Why wait? Drink it.