Ygnacia Pinot Noir, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros, Napa Valley – 2017
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Introduction
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Planted exclusively for Hyde de Villaine on a optimal location on Hyde Vineyard, our Ygnacia Pinot Noir is a blend of 7 heritage clones collected by Larry Hyde over the last 40 years. This wine represents a lifetime of work by Mr. Hyde in his pursuit of the finest Pinot Noir clones in the New World.
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Vineyard Profile
- Vineyards: Hyde Vineyard, at the eastern edge of Los Carneros District
- Vineyard Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Aubert de Villaine, Mr. and Mrs. Laurence W. Hyde, Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Hyde III
- Appellation: Los Carneros, Napa Valley
- Size: 1.9 acres
- Vine Age: 7 years
- Soil: Haire clay loam over clay hardpan
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Vintage Report
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The 2017 vintage will always be remembered. The winter months were wet and cold, allowing the vines to rest after their productive 2016 campaign. Bud break occurred in March, with a mix of warm and cool days, frigid nights and several rain episodes during the early stages of the growth flowering. These conditions resulted in a low, uneven set.
A warm and dry pattern followed through the end of August, until two major heat waves hit in early September, dramatically affecting ripening conditions. As a result of the intense heat, the vines shut down and the brix and acidity levels in the grapes flatlined for the next three weeks. In late September, the vines came back to life and gave us one last push, resulting in wines with harmonious balance and freshness. Harvest started the third week of August with our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Harvest was concluded by the first week of October, right before traumatic wildfires scorched through Napa and Sonoma counties, giving a catastrophic end to an already challenging vintage.
- Harvest Date(s): August 28
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Vinification
- Barrel Aging: 19 months; 15% new (Francois Freres, Cavin)
- Bottled: March 14, 2018; unfined and unfiltered
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
- Production (in cases): 374 cases (12/750ml)
- Alcohol: 13.4%
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Tasting Notes
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“Rose petal and wild raspberry aromas entice as deeper hues of green tea, herbes de Provence and Bing cherry burst from the glass. Tart strawberry and blood orange flirt across the palate as subtle flavors of sandalwood and sea shell develop. Supple tannins and integrated acidity not only allow for approachability, but also promise future age-ability.” — Guillaume Boudet, Winemaker
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Images
Reviews
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Hyde de Villaine Ygnacia Pinot Noir, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros, Napa Valley – 2017 – James Suckling – 95 to 96 Points
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.
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Hyde de Villaine Ygnacia Pinot Noir, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros, Napa Valley – 2017 – Vinous – 94 Points
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.