2009 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2009 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard had 15% whole-clusters and 14.2% alcohol, which was lower than the two previous wines. The wine has a dense ruby/plum color to the rim, a killer nose of red and black fruits, along with foresty notes, white flowers and spice. It was long, rich, full-bodied, opulent and a terrific example of Pinot Noir. This had the same clonal mix as the 2008. This is a younger, deeper wine than the 2008 and seems to have at least another decade of aging potential.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(14.2% alcohol): Bright ruby. Complex nose melds black cherry, minerals and menthol. Juicy and tightly wound, conveying an impression of medicinal reserve to its mineral and rose petal flavors. Densely packed and sharply focused, but firm acidity is keeping the wine's fruit under wraps. This extremely young wine finishes with serious tannins and good drive. I'd hold it for four years. Winemaker Hall notes that this has the lowest pH among his 2009 pinots, at 3.5. While he describes the 2009 pinots as generally plush and big, this one stands out for its nervy character today.