95pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2020 Pinot Noir Magic Moments Hyde Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1979. Fruit was harvested just after the fires started (along with the Hyde Chardonnay) and was matured for 16 months in 66% new French oak. It has a pale ruby color and a core of red cherries with touches of underbrush, mint, flint and allspice. The palate is pleasantly rustic in style with gently chewy tannins, rounded acidity and a long, earthy finish.

92pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Pinot Noir Magic Moments Hyde Vineyard comes from Carneros and is outside the scope of this report (and will be covered by my colleague Audrey Frick going forward), but I'm always happy to taste these wines and have opted to include this review. Revealing a translucent ruby hue as well as bright, juicy cherry and mulberry-like fruits, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a more focused, firm texture, good overall balance, and outstanding length.

Tasting Notes

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2020 Pinot Noir Magic Moments Hyde Vineyard cascades out of the glass with fragrant scents of cherry pie, fresh raspberries, and black cherries, plus nuances of lavender, mossy bark, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate has a solid frame of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness supporting the tightly wound red and black berry layers, finishing long and mineral-laced.

Winemaker Notes

Another stunning Pinot Noir from Paul Lato, this time coming from the famed Hyde Vineyard in Los Carneros, from old vines planted 42 years ago. Fermented in stainless steel without stems and then aged in 66% new French oak barrels, this is a darker and richer specimen than Paul’s Santa Barbara wines. Showcasing a medium to dark ruby center with a neon purple rim in the glass and delivering tremendous power and density. A lovely core of fresh black cherry, candied violet petal, blueberry compote, white peppercorn, and dried mint are all wonderfully present. Veins of plush tannins lend bountiful energy to the mouthwatering acidity and lengthy fruit-driven palate