Hyde de Villaine Belle Cousine 2019

Region and Vineyards

Belle Cousine hails from the Hyde Vineyard in Los Carneros, the coolest corner of Napa Valley. Marine fog and breezes from San Pablo Bay temper ripening, preserving acidity and aromatic lift—a key to the wine's poise. The vineyard's Haire clay loam (over clay hardpan) offers excellent drainage yet moderates vine vigor, promoting small berries and concentrated flavors. South-by-southwest exposures ensure even ripening despite the cool climate, while sustainable farming underpins fruit purity and site transparency.

Vine age adds complexity: blocks supplying Belle Cousine range roughly from the mid-teens to more than three decades old, a mosaic that layers bright red fruit over darker cassis and savory tones. Hyde Vineyard's reputation for meticulous viticulture and clonal diversity further contributes to the wine's fine-boned tannins and long, saline-tinged finish—signatures often associated with Carneros reds grown near the bay.

Winemaking

Belle Cousine is a Bordeaux-style blend built primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In 2019, the assemblage is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, all sourced from Hyde Vineyard. Fermentations are conducted with a focus on extracting ripe, fine-grained tannins rather than sheer power, preserving the vintage's freshness and detail.

Élevage typically lasts about 22 months in French oak, with a judicious proportion of new barrels (~30%), and the wine is bottled without fining or filtration to retain texture and aromatic nuance. The 2019 vintage carries ~14.4% vol. alcohol, reflecting ripe fruit balanced by Carneros' cooling influence. The result is a wine of restraint, discipline, and terroir, true to the estate's Franco-Californian ethos.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with a vivid rim; excellent clarity and moderate staining.
• Aroma: Cassis, blackberries and red currant layered with violet, graphite, tobacco and cocoa nibs; hints of mint, blood orange, leather and mocha emerge with air.
• Palate: Medium-plus body with vibrant acidity; sleek, fine tannins carry dark red/blue fruits, cola and spice. Savory pencil-lead detail and cool herbal lift shape a long, racy finish.

Did you know?

"Belle Cousine" is a tribute to Pamela Fairbanks de Villaine—Larry Hyde's cousin and Aubert de Villaine's wife—whose family ties sparked the HdV partnership, uniting Hyde's Carneros legacy with de Villaine's Burgundian heritage.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Herb-crusted lamb rack: Cabernet's graphite and Merlot's plush core sync with lamb's savory richness; minty top-notes echo the wine's cool herbal lift.
• Porcini risotto: Umami and creamy texture meld with cocoa/mocha tones and fine tannins, balancing richness with acidity.
• Grilled duck breast with cherry jus: Dark fruit and spice meet duck's sweetness; acidity refreshes each bite.
• Aged Comté: Nutty, salty depth highlights the wine's mineral line and subtle oak spice.

History of Hyde de Villaine Estate

The story of Hyde de Villaine began in 2000, merging the expertise and heritage of two distinguished wine families. The Hyde family, known for their viticultural excellence in Napa Valley, joined forces with Aubert de Villaine, co-director of the esteemed Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Burgundy.

This unique partnership brings together Old World traditions and New World innovation, creating wines that reflect the terroir, the varietal, and the vintage with minimal intervention.

Larry Hyde contributes his extensive experience in California farming, particularly in Carneros, while Aubert de Villaine imparts the refined winemaking techniques of Burgundy.

Region and Vineyards

Hyde de Villaine wines are exclusively produced from the Hyde Vineyard in Carneros, Napa Valley. Purchased by the Hyde family over 33 years ago, this vineyard is renowned for producing some of the best single-vineyard wines in the country. The vineyard spans sedimentary terraces with shallow, loamy soil and ancient streambeds, combined with the cool Carneros climate and gentle winds, creating moderate hydric stress that maximizes vine potential.

The vineyard practices sustainable viticulture, minimizing soil compaction and promoting a healthy microbial ecosystem. Avoiding chemical fertilizers and herbicides, the vines thrive in a naturally balanced environment, with beneficial organisms and bacteria helping to naturally repel diseases. Insectary flowers are planted throughout the vineyard to combat pests without pesticides.

Winemaking

All grapes at Hyde de Villaine are hand-picked and meticulously sorted to ensure only the finest clusters are used. The winery is designed to handle grapes gently, using gravity to minimize mechanical pumping. Custom equipment and co-fermentation of specific lots enhance the distinctive characteristics of each lot. The wines are aged in French oak barrels, with winemaker Stéphane Vivier overseeing each barrel personally until the final blend is created.

Stéphane Vivier, who joined the venture in 2002, brings his expertise in viticulture and winemaking from Burgundy. Born and raised in Burgundy, France, Stéphane has honed his skills in renowned vineyards and cellars, adapting strict viticultural and vinification techniques to the unique fruit of Hyde Vineyard.

Wine Range

• Hyde de Villaine Chardonnay: The flagship wine, Hyde de Villaine Chardonnay, stands out for its minerality, structure, and natural acidity. Sourced from older vines, it undergoes aging in French oak (20% new) for 12 months, followed by three months in stainless steel and 14 months of bottle maturation. This wine, reminiscent of grand cru Burgundy, has a great aging potential of up to two decades.
• Hyde de Villaine Belle Cousine: A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from 22-year-old vines, Belle Cousine is named in honor of Pamela Fairbanks de Villaine, Larry Hyde’s cousin. This wine expresses the character of the place with a minerality cherished by the Burgundian palate.

Did you know?

The label of Hyde de Villaine wines bears the coat of arms of the De la Guerra family, one of California's oldest winemaking families, symbolizing the rich tradition, family heritage, and winemaking history that HdV embodies.