Country: U.S.A.

Region: Napa Valley

Vintage: 2018

Cépage: Chardonnay (100%)

Size: 750 ml

Rating(s): 98 (RP); 98 (JD)

" The 2018 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons was of the last vineyards picked, in mid-September. This section of Hyde vineyard is located on the Napa side of Carneros and is planted to Corton-Charlemagne clone on St. George rootstock. It strides confidently out of the glass with a very serious nose of baked apples, pear tart, almond croissant and candied ginger with wafts of struck flint and sea spray. The full-bodied palate is impactful and yet achingly elegant, featuring loads of mineral sparks coming off the apple and pear flavors, delivering a long, satisfying, almond-laced finish. Give it a further year or two in bottle and drink it over the next 10 years."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown (RP) - 01/21