Hyde de Villaine Belle Cousine 2019

Region and Vineyards

Belle Cousine comes from Hyde Vineyard in Carneros, a celebrated cool-climate area at the southern end of Napa Valley, influenced by winds and fog from San Pablo Bay. Carneros is known for freshness and acidity, and while Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are emblematic here, warmer pockets can ripen Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon with poise rather than excess. The AVA sits between Napa and Sonoma, with low elevations rising inland to around 200 m.

Hyde Vineyard is one of California's most respected sites, associated with Larry Hyde and Aubert de Villaine. Belle Cousine draws its personality from this meeting of Napa fruit purity and Burgundian restraint, showing aromatic spice, red and blue fruits, and a distinctive saline mineral thread. The vineyard is certified Napa Green Land and Fish Friendly Farming, with organic and biodynamic practices used in the vineyard.

Winemaking

The 2019 Belle Cousine is a Bordeaux-style blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, all sourced from Hyde Vineyard. This vintage places Cabernet Sauvignon in the lead, giving the wine its graphite, cassis, and firm architectural line, while Merlot contributes plushness, aromatic breadth, and supple mid-palate texture.

The wine was matured for 22 months in French oak, with about 30% new barrels, and was bottled without fining or filtration. This approach supports depth without masking vineyard character, preserving the wine's savoury precision, polished tannins, and vibrant acidity. Cabernet and Merlot are natural partners: Merlot softens Cabernet Sauvignon's more rigorous frame, an idea long established in Bordeaux blends and widely adopted in the New World.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with a vivid core and youthful brilliance, suggesting concentration without heaviness.
• Aroma: Cassis, black plum, blackberry, violet, licorice, cocoa powder, graphite, mint, anise, black pepper, and subtle roasted coffee notes.
• Palate: Medium-bodied, pure, and finely detailed, with velvety yet structured tannins, lively acidity, dark red and blue fruit, savoury spice, mineral tension, and a long, elegant finish.

Did you know?

Belle Cousine means "beautiful cousin" in French and pays homage to Pamela Fairbanks de Villaine, Larry Hyde's cousin and the wife of Aubert de Villaine of Burgundy. The wine symbolises the union of two great wine families, the Hydes of Napa and the de Villaines of Burgundy, and was one of HdV's original offerings in 2000.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Herb-crusted rack of lamb: The wine's cassis, graphite, and fine tannins echo the lamb's savoury depth while cutting elegantly through its richness.
• Duck breast with black cherry reduction: Red and blue fruit notes mirror the sauce, while the wine's acidity keeps the pairing lifted and precise.
• Braised short ribs with rosemary: Slow-cooked beef flatters the Cabernet structure, and the herbal seasoning draws out the wine's mint, spice, and licorice tones.
• Wild mushroom risotto with Parmesan: Earthy mushrooms and umami-rich cheese highlight the wine's graphite, cocoa, and mineral accents.

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.