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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.4 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 120 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Burgundy Al on 4/15/2024 & rated 89 points: Intensely spiced, with perhaps too much whole cluster dominance. Fresh and candied red berries throughout are still nicely fresh. This can easily cellar longer, especially given this was in 1/2 bottle format. (1298 views) | | | Tasted by Beezc on 4/15/2024 & rated 94 points: Soft tannins, open and drinking beautifully. Long finish. (819 views) | | | Tasted by gharter on 3/29/2024 & rated 93 points: PnP, no decant needed. Opens with black cherry, raspberry, vanilla, dark fruits, spice, and herbs. Layers of flavor showing Black cherry, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, stems, herbs, black raspberry. Beautifully balanced with good acidity. Long smooth finish. A perfect match to salmon. (755 views) | | | Tasted by wineguy1968 on 3/19/2024 & rated 92 points: Nice but was a bit disjointed on opening. After about 3 hrs intensity increased and it’s quite compelling. Its still quite tannic in my opinion so i think it can age for a while (969 views) | | | Tasted by Jbird73 on 2/16/2024 & rated 94 points: Fantastic. Nose leaps from the glass. Dark red fruit and orange on the nose with a vibrant attack in the mouth and a lovely finish. Best Pinot I have had in the last few months without a doubt. (1119 views) | | | Tasted by Amerique on 1/6/2024 & rated 94 points: Rich, delicious dark strawberry fruit with orange peel flavors, excellent structure, ample acidity, long finish, wine has integrated beautifully with age and opened up (1248 views) | | | Tasted by azb on 11/5/2023 & rated 93 points: Drinking well! Needs air. (1595 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 9/18/2023 & rated 94 points: Drinking beautifully! Delicious slightly sour red cherries, spice, and forest floor notes on the nose and layered palate with refreshing acidity on the long finish. (1805 views) | | | Tasted by Nutty08 on 9/16/2023 & rated 92 points: Good. But I struggle with the whole cluster treatment. There’s a slightly green spicey element on the nose and palate. Fruit is concetrated and nuanced, with a mature element. Fine fresh palate and nice length on the finish. Has some astringency with fine tannins on the palate. Good, just not next level good. (1815 views) | | | Tasted by rosenst1 on 8/18/2023 & rated 94 points: PnP. Medium dark red. Complex nose of dark plum and spice with some whole cluster stem flavors. Lovely intensity and cut on the palate with an acid spine that argues for further cellaring. Dark fruits on the predominant feature and the finish is intense and long. Can the Hillside be better? One of the best Rhys wines I've had. (1602 views) | | | Tasted by Rieslingfan on 3/29/2023: Cold cellar works it’s magic yet again, as this is still quite youthful and forward fruity. It’s evolving texturally, but not a lot of developed aromatics/flavors. Bright red cherry dominates, with only a little bit of back end earthiness. Some air brings out an herbal note, but overall it’s fruit dominated. Very good wine, but I do wonder when something is going to happen. At least I know to keep my hands off of the Hillside bottling. (2608 views) | | | Tasted by Jahull03 on 3/22/2023: Last 375 of this wine, proving that we did the right thing in building a stock of 750s to be enjoyed in future years - this is drinking better than at any point so far - relaxed but not mellow - medium bodied and yet plenty of complexity. Really loving it. (2097 views) | | | Tasted by SARED on 3/16/2023 & rated 93 points: 93-94 (2203 views) | | | Tasted by mclanew on 2/4/2023 & rated 95 points: Popped and poured. Strawberries, herbs and spice. Elegant, transparent and fresh. The is delightful right now with minimal decanting although I don’t sense it will be a long ager. (2215 views) | | | Tasted by Tannin1855 on 1/6/2023 & rated 93 points: From 500 mL bottle. Slight evolution in color. Red fruit profile with secondary development, including black tea and earthy notes. Silky mouthfeel. Beautiful balance. Chambolle character. This is absolutely ready to drink from this format. (2126 views) | | | Tasted by tony.domenico1@gmail.com on 11/23/2022 & rated 95 points: Drinking well. (1993 views) | | | Tasted by norsktorsk on 10/24/2022 & rated 94 points: I opened this about 24 hours ago. Initially nice red fruit on nose with big mid palate but tannic on finish. This evening it is drinking very well. I would cellar longer if you have a bunch. The 500cc bottle is nice to tap earlier than a large format (2183 views) | | | Tasted by mmurph on 10/12/2022: Stunning! (2214 views) | | | Tasted by SCosgrove on 9/6/2022 & rated 93 points: Excellent (2277 views) | | | Tasted by stephenv on 7/18/2022 & rated 94 points: Drinking wonderfully right now. Happy I have more of these but I wouldn’t hesitate to drink now. (2674 views) | | | Tasted by Mouthpiece on 7/2/2022: Hold per vineyard (2316 views) | | | Tasted by gharter on 5/21/2022 & rated 94 points: PnP and was ready to go. Great nose with black cherries, black raspberry, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, herbs and savory notes. Black cherry, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, stems, herbs, black raspberry flavors. Beautifully balanced with good acidity. Long smooth finish. good by itself, but an even better food wine. (2410 views) | | | Tasted by grafstrb on 4/21/2022 & rated 94 points: -- popped and poured --
-- tasted non-blind over a couple hours --
-- 375 mL --
NOSE: warm, high-toned red fruits; red currants and Gala apple.
BODY: ruby color with slight tawny shade throughout; color is of medium-shallow to medium depth; medium-light to medium bodied.
TASTE: high acidity; earthy red fruits with a smoky edge; medium concentration of fruit; 12.7% alc. not noticeable; touch of caramel on the rear palate. Well into Excellent territory. Drink Now and over the next few years out of half bottle format.
50, 5, 13, 18, 8 = 94 (2535 views) | | | Tasted by pakabear on 1/28/2022: Still could use another 3-5 years. (3161 views) | | | Tasted by Elpaninaro on 12/28/2021: from half bottle about 2 hours after opening
good medium red color, bright joyous nose of ripe cherry, saddle leather and spice, on the palate dense ripe fruit, plums, cherries, leather, a hint of spice, oak well balanced, structure well framed, fine finish with a flash of blueberry, really nice wine and ready to go.
****, ready and time in hand (2612 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Rhys Producer websitePinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.Horseshoe Vineyard
Acreage: 3.51 acres
Clones: Wente, Hyde & Mt. Eden (spaced 6'x4' & 6'x5')
Elevation: 1450' to 1500'
Aspect: Primarily South
Slope: 5% to 20%
Geology/Spoil: 18"-24" of rocky topsoil over Monterey shale
(Source Rhys Vineyards)USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Santa Cruz Mountains Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association | Wikipedia
Once referred to by wine writers as the Chaine d'Or -- or "golden chain" -- the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA sits above Silicon Valley, running along the craggy range next to the Pacific on some of the prettiest parts of Northern California. The area supports more than 75 wineries, despite being limited by geography and high land prices.
In 1981 the Santa Cruz Mountains Viticultural Appellation became federally recognized, one of the first American viticultural areas to be defined by geophysical and climatic factors. The appellation encompasses the Santa Cruz Mountain range, from Half Moon Bay in the north, to Mount Madonna in the south. The east and west boundaries are defined by elevation, extending down to 800 feet in the east and 400 feet in the west. |
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