Paul Lato 2020 Chardonnay “Goldberg Variations #3” Hyde Vineyard, Napa Valley 96 Points

The 2020 vintage is probably one for the history books! The wine is very refined and expressive, with ripe citrus aromas, and a deep core of rich pear and honeydew melon flavors that bring fantastic complexity. The finish is filled with a touch of butter, a hint of toasted hazelnut, and refreshing acidity.

Robert Parker 96 Points: “The 2020 Chardonnay Goldberg Variations Hyde Vineyard, from Wente vines planted in 1979, is lovely at this stage with aromas of baked apples, lemon cream, hay, beeswax, integrated baking spices with streaks of matchstick. Light-bodied and focused yet satiny and layered, it’s youthfully coiled and has the potential to blossom over many years in the cellar. It was aged for 16 months in 75% new French oak, and 135 cases were made.”

Jeb Dunnuck 95+ Points: “The 2020 Chardonnay Goldberg Variations No. 3 Hyde Vineyard comes from a great site in Carneros, in the southern part of the Napa Valley. It has a pure, clean, classy nose of ripe melon and honeyed apples as well as notes of toasted bread and white flowers. It’s not quite as complex as some of the other releases here yet is incredibly pure, balanced, and medium-bodied on the palate, with everything in the right place. It has the balance and freshness to benefit from a year or two in the bottle and should have 7-8 years, if not a decade, of prime drinking.

Paul Lato Notes: “Our third iteration of Hyde Chardonnay is an especially sleek and elegant wine. The nose is seductive and complex, with acacia flowers and wet stone minerality – classic notes of the famed Los Carneros AVA. Finishing long and smooth, its lively caressing palate is a seamless balance of crisp green apple, subtle spice, and touch butterscotch”