August 28, 2021 - My last bottle of the 2017 rendition of this wine, and it’s still on the upslope. Fruit remains crisp and bright, there’s a spice note on the finish that lingers. The aromatics draw me in time after time. A touch of struck match gives way to fresh hay, apple skin, pineapple core and petrichor. Balanced to the bright side of the scale, this bottling is not at all the stereotype of California Chardonnay.
May 11, 2021 - Fun with Hyde: This pure and classy wine was the surprise of the lineup, with a nervy fullness that I haven’t tasted from past Massican Hyde Chardonnays (that I probably drank too early). This wine offers none of the oakiness of the others (especially the Hyde), with a more open-knit profile than the DuMOL (irony alert: Dan Petroski tonight outdid his mentor, Andy Smith). Aromas of lemon peel, gooseberry, and stone fruit. Flavors of grapefruit, lime, and green apple, with a clean and pure finish. 13.9% alcohol. Decant an hour. 94+ right now.
December 2, 2020 - I'm a lover of all things coming out of Hyde Vineyard and this 2017 Massican does not disappoint. This a very rich expression of Hyde with lemon-lime, green apple, and wet stone flavors. I still prefer Ramey (more restrained) and Aubert (more opulent) from this vineyard, but hard to best for the price. You can drink this now with a small decant.
June 25, 2019 - Even sweeter than I was expecting, but very nice notes of citrus.
May 22, 2019 - Really liked this. Citrus notes on the nose, plus some baking spice. Acid, green apple, ginger on the palate. Really well rounded and easy to drink.
February 5, 2019 - Nearly a year post-release, this has integrated, and evolved into a focused, bright rendition of Hyde Chardonnay. Lemon fruit, apple skin and some spice from the well-managed oak treatment give way to a citrus and rainwater on stones finish. Coming in at just under 14% alcohol (13.9 per the label), this is medium bodied and refreshing.
May 29, 2018 - Great wine, incredible depth of flavors without being heavy. Really bright entry and finish, with a deep mid palate presence. Looking forward to watching these evolve.
May 11, 2018 - Heart's Delight Trade Tasting (Sofitel - Washington, DC): Very impressive young wine. Steely nose yet also shows some toasty, nougat notes, along with lemon curd and sea salt. Crisp and bright and tangy with lemons, apricots, sea breeze, chalk. Lovely depth, lingering minerality, all new oak but it is woven in expertly, and its balanced so nicely. Years of evolution ahead.
April 23, 2018 - Barely off the truck, this was an impressive vintage of Massican Hyde. It was a little bit broader than prior vintages, giving it some early appeal, with deep minerality/saltiness, a beautiful, subtle spiciness, and loads of lemon citrus. The mid-palate fanned out a little bit, with a closer focus to the finish. It was clearly Hyde, bearing a distinct resemblance to the Ramey Hyde, despite the difference in picking strategies and winemaking. Early days here, but this was lovely.