www.hdvwines.com

HdV is a family venture between Hyde Vineyards of Napa Valley and Aubert & Pamela de Villaine of Burgundy, France. Born and raised in the rich traditions of France's greatest winemaking techniques, Aubert brings to the partnership the foundation upon which the venture bases its theories and practices. In 1979, Larry left his job as an apprentice at some of Napa's finest wineries to purchase and transform the Carneros soils into what is now known as Hyde Vineyards.

HdV is bottled under the coat of arms of the historic de la Guerra family from which Pamela de Villaine and the Hydes descend. The De la Guerra Family is one of the oldest winemaking families in California and traces its winemaking history back to a gold medal received at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Fair. The partnership feels that this coat of arms symbolizes the sense of tradition, family, and winemaking history that the new venture embodies in its philosophy.

This wine (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Blend) overwhelmes you with an intense mosaic of spice, blackberry, red fruits, and sweet vanilla. Following this aromatic performance, the wine surges forth with a dense core of black cherry and hickory smoke. Peppered with notes of spice, red fruits, and sweet vanilla, soft mineral tannins accompany the black cherry core through the mid-palate and on to a long finish.

The 2005 Syrah features an intense nose of exotic spice and fresh game, however with time, the aromas develop into a perfume of delicate floral and dark berries. Around a core of supple, but powerfully textured tannins, the wine flows thru an array of complex flavors. From lavender to blackcurrant, the profound and concentrated flavors drift seamlessly into a balanced, long finish.

This wine exhibits intense mineral aromas of pear and apricot immersed in rich spicy notes. The mouth offers layers of stone fruit and floral notes followed by an elegant backbone of acid, carrying the wine to a long finish. A blend of our oldest blocks, this wine was aged for 11 months in French oak on the lees.

Our young vine 2006 De La Guerra Chardonnay shows an intense nose of mineral and stone fruit, with a bouquet of grapefruit and fresh cantaloupe. The initial taste of steel and minerality on the mouth is carried through by a round and refreshing mid-palate. While elegant, this wine exhibits a vivacious core of mineral notes along with hints of peach and pear. The finish exudes the qualities of young vine Chardonnay from Hyde Vineyard: purity, minerality and brightness.