2006 de la Guerra Chardonnay
The 2006 vintage was a year of eventful extremes. Despite significant flooding in parts of Napa Valley, winter rains did little damage at Hyde Vineyard where the shallow soils drain extremely well. Rain continued into spring delaying bud break by a few days. Mid-spring provided improved weather, as Hyde Vineyard experienced bloom along with a near perfect fruit set. A ten day heat-spike in July caused sporadic sunburn on various exposed clusters shutting down growth and hindering maturation for nearly two weeks. Sunburned clusters were carefully removed before veraison. Finally, the weather normalized through the month of August and the remainder of the season, consisting of morning fog and flavor concentrating winds.
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. These three characteristics unite for a lengthy, balanced finish.
-- Stéphane Vivier, Winemaker, HdV Wines