I’d wager one of the top Chardonnays to come out of Carneros, the 2018 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons just about jumps from the glass with its huge nose of buttered lemons, flower oil, nectarines, green almonds, and exotic floral notes. From one of the cooler sites Aubert works with, this medium to full-bodied beauty has an incredible sense of purity, good acidity, and a great finish.Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JDOne of the last vineyards picked, this section of Hyde vineyard in Carneros is planted to Corton Charlemagne clone on St. George rootstock. The 2018 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons leaps from the glass with vivacious fresh grapefruit, lemon peel, orange blossoms and lime cordial notes with nuances of fresh ginger, hay, sea spray and chalk dust. The full-bodied mouth explodes with the whole citrus-fruit flavor spectrum—lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit on steroids—complemented by loads of spicy sparks and lifted by amazing freshness, sporting a provocatively creamy texture and finishing long.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97-99 RPBroad and rich, with seductive smoky notes to the ripe apple and pear pastry flavors. Buttery accents show midpalate, leading to an intensely spicy finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,013 cases made. — KMWine Spectator | 93 WSThe 2018 Chardonnay Larry Hyde and Sons is the result a larger-than-normal crop. Hyde Chardonnays are typically exuberant, but in 2018, the wine is subtle, nuanced and wonderfully understated. I don't think I have tasted a Hyde Chardonnay with this much precision. Lemon confit and bright floral notes perk up this beautifully expressive Chardonnay from Mark Aubert. The 100% new oak is already integrated. In 2018, the Hyde Chardonnay is just sublime. What way to start this tasting.Vinous Media | 93-96 VM