RUDIUS WINES® Rudius Chardonnay – 6045394469023

Notes From The Winemaker:

Tasting Notes:
The 2012 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay has always been a bright, high acid wine that beautifully shows the distinct character of its clonal selection and the exceptional soils that produced the fruit. The finished wine shows copious amounts of lime, honeysuckle, spring violets and fresh citrus peel, with hints of sea spray. On the first sip, flavors of lemon curd, lime zest, and crushed oyster shell are accented by wonderful, bracing acidity. This is a ‘thinkers’ Chardonnay, and not one that will easily slide into your average California Chardonnay tasting. It is more Chablis than California, and we are so thankful for that! And much like many of your favorite Chablis, the 2012 Hyde is best served slightly chilled, as being too cold will mute the beautiful aromas and secondary characteristics which make this wine distinct.

Blend: 100% Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay, Robert Young Selection

Fermentation:
The whole 2013 Hyde production was whole-cluster pressed to a single stainless steel tank, where the juice was mixed to bring the gross lees into solution before being barreled down. The wine went into several neutral French oak barrels, where it underwent its primary fermentation over the course of several weeks, closely followed by the beginnings of malolactic. In order to maintain the distinct, fresh character in each barrel, we partially blocked the end of the malolactic fermentation, and discontinued our lees stirring regimen soon afterward.

Cellaring Recommendations:
As with any wine, we recommend that you cellar this
Chardonnay for at least two weeks to allow it to settle after shipping, but feel free to lightly chill and enjoy now! Due to the bright, high acid character of the Hyde Chardonnay, it will be a pleasure to drink over the course of the next two to five years, but will likely show its best within the next 24 months. For the best longevity, we suggest you store this wine just below “cellar temp” at around 50 degrees.

90 Points – Stephen Tanzer:
“Full bright yellow. Perfumed aromas of peach, fresh apricot, soft citrus fruits, flowers, nutmeg and iodine. Intensely flavored and savory, with stone fruit and spice flavors complicated by a musky leesy element. Not hugely intense or penetrating today but gracefully made.” – Stephen Tanzer (May 2014)

90 Points – Wine Spectator Magazine:
“A delicate, detailed style, with moderately rich flavors presented in subtle tiers of ripe pear, light oak, green apple and honeydew. Shows a touch of pithy lemon peel on the finish. Good length. Drink now. 184 cases made.” – JL (Jul 31, 2015)

90 Points – Wine Spectator (2011 Vintage):
“Richly flavored and creamy-textured, with tiers of fig, honeydew and apricot notes. This offers hints of anise, licorice and flowers. Drink now through 2020. 190 cases made.” – JL (Jun 30, 2014)

90 Points – Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (2011 Vintage):
“Bright
pale yellow. Peach, orange blossom, clove and smoky vanillin oak on
the nose, along with a touch of leesy complexity. Rich, pliant and
concentrated on entry, then quite firm in the middle, even a bit spiky,
showing the bright lemony acidity of the year. Has enough supporting
flesh for its spine and cut, but today the finish is a bit edgy.” –
Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun 2013)