Hyde De Villaine Belle Cousine 2016

Rarely in the wine industry do you see such a powerful partnership. The legend of Burgundy and President of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Conti, Aubert de Villaine partners with his cousin, Larry Hyde “The King of Carneros“.  

For the Belle Cousine project, the two get to really have fun with it and show off their winemaking prowess. Their ode to the Right Bank in the 2016 is an absolute stunner. The name Belle Cousine is a reference to Pamela Fairbanks de Villaine, Larry Hyde’s lovely cousin who is the wife of Aubert de Villaine of Burgundy. It is Pamela who brings these visionary viticultural families from Burgundy and the Carneros region of Napa Valley together to make wines that express the character of place, with that rare minerality so dear to the Burgundian palate.

This incredible Bordeaux blend crafted off Wall Street Journal’s “Top 5 Vineyards in the US” shines particularly bright in the seamless 2016 vintage.  The wine is beautifully crafted with loud notes of black and red currant, basil and spice. It should age incredibly well for decades. Grab the few bottles we have of the wine Antonio Galloni called, “very clearly a special wine in the marking”.

96 Pts – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

The 2016 Belle Cousine is another absolutely gorgeous wine in this range from Hyde De Villaine. Ripe plum, mocha, new leather, spice, menthol and grilled herbs infuse the 2016 with striking complexity. Despite its considerable appeal, the 2016 is potent and massively tannic. Time in the glass gives a good idea of what will develop in time; readers should plan on being patient. The Belle Cousine is very clearly a special wine in the making.