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John Hyde Influencer Badge

12 wines • 20 followers • 6 following

Schramsberg Vineyards

North Coast Brut Blanc de Noirs 2009

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

8.7

Golden lemony color with no suggestion of pink from the pinot noir. Lightly toasty and yeasty in the nose. Finely carbonated. Flavors of pear and honey give way to buttered toast. — 11 years ago

Tim liked this

Cuvaison

Spire Pinot Noir 2011

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

8.4

Medium color, not as light as some Mendocino pinots I've had but not as dark as some central coast pinots either. Nicely balanced with cherry/plum fruit, smokiness, classic pinot flavors, good texture, moderate acidity, and good structure on the back end with a suggestion of oak. Normally I'm not crazy about Cuvaison pinot noir but this one is a winner from an excellent vintage - and a perfect start to a 3-day weekend. — 12 years ago

Cornerstone Cellars

Stepping Stone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

8.6

Deep color. In the nose, suggestions of eucalyptus and tobacco. In the mouth, medium acidity, good structure? Flavors of vanilla oak, blueberry, cigar box. Good balance, complexity, and lingering finish. I remain impressed by the quality of wines produced by Cornerstone at both midlevel and high end price points. — 12 years ago

Craig liked this
Craig Camp

Craig Camp Influencer Badge

Many thanks John. I am really pleased with the 10 Stepping Stone - actually under 14% and still rich.

Cornerstone Cellars

Stepping Stone Chenin Blanc 2012

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

8.6

Distinctive, floral, with a touch of petroleum character found in good German Riesling. One would never confuse it with a Sauv Blanc. Interesting and appealing though not as delicate or pretty as the best Chenin Blancs from Clarksburg. — 11 years ago

Craig liked this
Craig Camp

Craig Camp Influencer Badge

Thanks for posting John. We made just 100 cases of that Chenin, which is fermented to total dryness unlike most Clarksburg chenins.

Clos Du Bois

Sonoma Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

9.6

Classic Cabernet. Deep color. Classic Cabernet flavors with still-youthful acid and fruit, showing subtle signs of maturity. Beautifully integrated and polished. — 12 years ago

Husch Vineyards

Estate Bottled Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2007

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

8.8

Very light in color. 13.9% alcohol. Good acidity and lively cherry flavor. Smokey flavors balanced by tannin and fruit. Good example of Anderson Valley pinot noir. — 12 years ago

Artesa

Carneros Chardonnay 2011

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

7.6

Golden color. Big Calif toasted butterscotch style Chardonnay. Well made but not my favorite style. — 12 years ago

J. V. Fleury

Vidal-Fleury Côtes du Rhône Mourvedre Blend 2010

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

7.6

Deep color. Black pepper spice with flavors tending toward leather and tar. A little rough and chewy with moderate acid. Not great but not bad for the price. — 12 years ago

Gary Farrell

Russian River Selection Pinot Noir 2009

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

7.6

Deeper color than I typically like in a Pinot Noir, more like a Zin or Sangiovese. Very fruity and grapey with moderate, well-integrated tannin and oak. A very sunny Pinot, lush and fruity but without a lot of depth or complexity. And too grapey for my tastes. — 12 years ago

Obsidian Ridge

Obsidian Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

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John Hyde

John Hyde Influencer Badge

8.7

Dark inky color, reminds me of a petite sirah in that respect. Medium body, not the lush Calif style of cab. Good acidity and bright fruit with flavors tending toward raspberry. A little thin and tannic. Young. — 12 years ago