2009 de la Guerra Chardonnay

750ml

$50.00

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The Story

In celebration of the early years of our family’s winemaking history, HdV introduces the de la Guerra series of wine. In the early 19th century, family patriarch Don Jose de la Guerra y Noriega, also known as “El Gran Capitan,” built the adobe “Casa de la Guerra” in Santa Barbara, California. The “casa” served as the social, cultural and political epicenter of Santa Barbara throughout the early 1800’s. While hosting legendary fiestas, the de la Guerra family began making wines which would eventually receive a gold medal at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Fair. We celebrate these early years of our family’s winemaking tradition with the de la Guerra Chardonnay.

Philosophy

Though we pay homage to our California ancestry with the de la Guerra name, the philosophy remains true to HdV. Our winemaking is bound to the vineyard’s characteristics. We are in constant search of wines that represent the Hyde Vineyard terroir as expressed by our Burgundian techniques: The winemaker is a “vigneron” using minimal intervention winemaking, as well as the gentlest handling of the fruit.

2009 de la Guerra Chardonnay

• Region: Napa Valley
• Appellation: Los Carneros
• Vineyard: Hyde Vineyard
• Age of vines: 14 to 16 years
• Geography: Eastern edge of the Carneros District
• Exposure: South by southeast
• Soil: Shallow loam over clay hardpan
• Subterranean: Ancient terraces and alluvial fans
• Acreage: 1.1 acres
• Production: 201 cases
• Harvest dates: September 5th & 8th, 2009
• Bottling date: July 31st, 2010
• Release Date: January 2011
• Suggested Retail: $40

VINTAGE NOTES

Entering the third year of a drought, the 2009 winter was dry at Hyde Vineyard until unexpected rains in early spring. Bud break was later than usual avoiding any risk of frost damage; persistently mild weather created a long, slow ripening vintage leading to wines of balance and deft concentration.

WINEMAKER NOTES

The nose is floral, with acacia and honeysuckle intertwined with pears and sweet spice. Intriguing altogether, the wine shows layers of minerality that build to inviting stone fruit flavors. Natural acidity along with a pleasing texture, combine to carry the wine to a long finish.
-- Stéphane Vivier, Winemaker, HdV Wines