Rhys Vineyards
Today we share an outstanding producer of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Rhys Vineyards sources from mountain vineyards in Sonoma and the Santa Cruz Mountains.This incredible terroir produces some thrilling, tension-filled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Following in the esteemed lines of Ridge and Mount Eden, Rhys Vineyards produces from some extreme vineyard sites that has slopes which range up to a 40% grade.
The founder of Rhys Vineyards, Kevin Harvey, had a successful software career prior to stating his winery. He began planting Pinot Noir in his backyard near the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA and has had his first vintage in 2004. I love the new wines by Rhys which were seriously good across the board. The wines show a marvelous combination of body, flavor density and beautiful tension throughout the drinking experience.
I particularly love the 2021 Rhys ‘Mt. Pajaro’ Chardonnay (OB, 96) which is nervy and dense with serious texture and verve. Learn more about this incredible new lineup of wines at https://rhysvineyards.com Here are the exciting new wines by Rhys Vineyards
2021 Rhys Vineyards ‘Horseshoe Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Horseshoe Vineyard encompasses nearly 22 acres and is planted to Pinot Noir, chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Syrah. This 2021 Chardonnay was stored for 12 months in oak before bottling and comes from seven different clonal selections. This offers kumquat rind and key limes on the nose alongside shades of pie crust and baked apple. The palate is filled with bright acidity and verve. Showing good richness and flavor density, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 95
2021 Rhys Vineyard ‘Mt. Pajaro Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The stunning 2021 Rhys Vineyard ‘Mt. Pajaro Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from this Santa Cruz Mountains location that has a strong ocean influence from Monterrey Bay. Vines are set on shallow clay soils. This shows beautiful tension, astringency and richness on the palate with Meyer lemon zest and salty minerals alongside Macadamia nut and suggestions of juicy peach on the palate. Gorgeous now, savor this mineral-laden bottling now and over the next twelve years. Drink 2024-2036- 96
2021 Rhys ‘Horseshoe Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2021 Rhys ‘Horseshoe Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was sourced from 13 different clonal selections, as this was stored for 18 months in French oak before bottling. Damp loamy soils alongside red currants, tobacco leaf and shades of boysenberry fruits all mark the nose. The palate is lithe and fresh with excellent verge and a soft texture. Showing good length enjoy now and over the next twelve years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 95
2021 Rhys ‘Mt. Pajaro Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The incredible 2021 Rhys ‘Mt. Pajaro Vineyard’ comes from this site planted to Rhys Selection Massale Pinot Noir vines set on well-drained rocky soils. Stored for 18 months in French oak, this delivers Linzer torte and fresh sage alongside Challah bread and shades of red rose petals. The palate is plush and soft with a refined texture. Gorgeous with its pretty core of pomegranate, guava and red cherry fruits, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 96
2021 Rhys ‘Alpine Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Alpine Vineyard is set at a high elevation in the Santa Cruz Mountains, ten miles from the Pacific Ocean. At this site there are 16 clones of pinot Noir planted. The wine was stored in 18 months in French oak before bottling. Dark in the glass, this delivers wild blackberry and garrigue notes on the nose with orange peel and suggestions of stony soils. The palate is plush and round, showing generous dark fruit with serious nerve on the palate. A joy to consume now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 96
2021 Rhys Vineyards ‘Bearwallow Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located in the Anderson Valley, the Bearwallow Vineyard is a steep site first planted in 2008. The location is home to six acres of Pinot Noir vines with rich topsoils over fractured shale, quartz and sandstone. This is rich and viscous stuff with serious texture and weight. A generous core of red and dark fruits combine with salty minerals, damp soils and suggestions of menthol on the palate. Really good now, this has some serious aging potential. Drink 2024-2039- 96