HdV Belle Cousine

The Belle Cousine is an homage to Pamela Fairbanks de Villaine for her part in uniting the Hyde and de Villaine families. As the two families were joined, the founders were inspired to blend two old-world, classic varietals, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. As with all of HdV wines, this offering is displaying restraint, discipline, and terroir. Aromatic spices, red and blue fruits, and salty minerality combine to display the elegance and finesse of the cool climate vineyards.

2015

James Suckling 93: This is very exciting with cassis-bush and plum character and very pretty rose-stem and leaf undertones. Full-bodied, layered and focused. Solid.

2016

Wine Advocate 90: Medium to deep ruby in color, the 2016 Belle Cousine is composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has scents of fresh red and black currants, mint chocolate, cedar, dried herbs and graphite with accents of dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, it’s elegantly styled in the mouth with restrained but bright, minerally fruits, a finely chalky texture and great freshness, finishing long and lifted.

James Suckling 94: 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.

2017

Vinous 93: The 2017 Belle Cousine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. In the glass, it is bold but also rustic, with brawny tannins that add to an impression of wildness. Dark fruit, tobacco, chocolate, spice and strong savory accents fill out the layers. I would give the 2017 a few years to soften, as it is pretty unyielding at this stage.

2018

Wine Advocate 94: The 2018 Belle Cousine is an elegant blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot from the Hyde Vineyard. It was matured in about 20% new French oak for 22 months and aged an additional two years in bottle before release. Deep ruby-purple in color, it has pure aromas of cassis, bouquet garni, tobacco leaves, sandalwood and graphite, with bright bursts of red cherry and flowers. Full-bodied, the palate is surprisingly lifted, with granular tannins, seamless acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. Winemaker Guillaume Boudet notes that Hyde de Villaine does not own an optical sorter. "To me, the optical sorter erases the vintage component of the wine," he explains. "It’s a human being that calibrates the sorter with what they think is the perfect berry of this vintage." Give this fresh, floral blend another 2-3 years in bottle to unwind.

2019

James Suckling 96: Lead pencil and blackberries with blackcurrants. Slate, too. Medium body, firm and fine tannins and a racy finish. Linear and polished. Crunchy. Pencil shavings. Slightly roasted coffee beans. So subtle and energetic. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.