Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 2019

Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay was the first wine produced under the Ramey Wine Cellars label. Hyde Vineyard is on the Napa side of the Carneros District. Summer temperatures are kept relatively cool by marine air flowing through the Petaluma Gap. Ancient creek beds provide drainage and add a scattering of rocks.
Eighty percent of the 2019 vintage is Old Wente field selection (planted 1997 and 1999) and 20% is from a selection of Calera that Larry Hyde chose himself (planted 2014).
We press whole grape clusters for phenolic delicacy. Native yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies batonnage. After aging 20 months in 20% new François Frares and Taransaud Beaune French oak barrels, the Chardonnay was traditionally fined for clarity and texture and bottled without filtration.