1 | Wine | California, 91 to 95 | Page 4

"Its finesse and refinement are apparent on the finish. ...Teasing with its floral, spicy cherry, wild berry and currant aromas, this is full-bodied, firm and structured, tight and focused, offering glimpses of what lies ahead with its complex mix of flavors and tightly wound tannins. Needs time. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot."

"Beautifully proportioned, with a rich mix of currant, blackberry, dried herb, mocha, cedar and tobacco flavors. This is also very tightly structured, worthy of a long decant or short-term cellaring."

"All the best elements of the vintage and house style come together in HdV’s 2009 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard. The fruit is a bit richer, riper and more voluptuous than in most HdV wines, which serves to balance the cool, vibrant style the estate favors. The 2009 impresses for its length, persistence and spherical finish. This is a great showing from HdV."

"A tight, vivid, juicy, concentrated yet graceful youngster, focused on dense mineral, dark berry, currant and blackberry fruit, ending with chewy tannins and notes of espresso and spice. Comes on the heels of a 2007 that seemed out of sync with the vintage."

"Shows hints of maturity, with chocolate mint, cherry and currant flavors that are intense yet elegant, balanced and stylish. Full-bodied, firm and focused, this is complex and concentrated without being heavy, offering the wine's classic style and personality."

"Subtle and intense, with a pure, juicy core of blackberry and raspberry, offering spicy oak and floral notes. Gains on the long finish."

"Bright red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, cinnamon, minerals and potpourri; smells like there are stems here but Kathy Joseph says no. Precise and vibrant on the palate, with good nervy cut to its intense flavors of candied red berries and spicecake. Still youthfully taut and bound-up but shows excellent potential. Turns more floral with air, finishing with tangy grip and a lingering hint of Asian spices. This pinot shows impressive vivacity for its warm vintage."

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Monument is a beautiful wine. Dark cherries, mocha, plums, spices, mint, minerals and graphite are woven together in this effortless, totally captivating wine. The 2009 impresses for its nuance, clarity and precision."

"The 2009 Red Blend emerges from the glass with freshly cut flowers, mint, spices, minerals and pure, crystalline, dark red fruit. This is a gorgeous wine endowed with remarkable finesse. The style is weightless, elegant and totally refined. I especially like the way the wine fleshes out in the glass."