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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Rich, delicious dark strawberry fruit with orange peel flavors, excellent structure, ample acidity, long finish, wine has integrated beautifully with age and opened up
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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-- 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
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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
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Nice nose of earth and minerals, with some dark red candied fruit. The medium ruby color matches the medium body, which has a noticeably tannic spine. More dark red fruits, an iron-dominated minerality, and a seemingly floral component roll over the palate. The finish is austere, but lasts for a good 30 seconds. It was even better the next day. I’ll open my other bottle 3-4 years from now.
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Oddly, this was overoaked; something I can't remember experiencing from a Rhys wine and I've had quite a few. The juice is high quality; I'll see how it evolves on the second day. The fruit is pleasantly ripe but tart enough; it will last longer, and perhaps will absorb the wood over time.
On day 2, much better integrated, I would wait 3 or 4 more years of I had another one
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Singing on pop n pour. Loads of stem and spice filled black cherry fruit. Plenty of fruit concentration with fresh, balancing structure. At the front end of what should be a decade+ drinking window.
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PnP. Medium red. Complex nose of dark fruits, spice, and forest floor.Quite deep on the palate with good richness and balancing acidity and whole cluster impressions. This developed more smoothness and depth on the palate with air. Beginning to reach maturity but no rush. Nice.
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19 months after the prior: again, dark, savory, and quite complex. Yet not a whole lot of discernible development in the intervening months. Still, very enjoyable over three nights.
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Looks like this is the first bottle from a case purchased as futures. Upon initial opening, the nose was a bit restrained and stemmy, also showing some cedary oak. On days 2/3, it had opened up considerably, showing strawberry-rhubarb, spicebox and bing cherry flavors, with some floral and mineral notes. Tangy and bright with a cedary/spicey finish (whole cluster imprint I believe). Good potential here, but needs time.
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Wow, really has picked up complexity since my last bottle a couple years ago. Lots of dark fruit, brambly soil like notes, and serious depth. Many, many years to go. May be the best Horseshoe I have had yet.
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Pop and pour. About 3.5 yrs since my last btl. Once again, fantastic aromatics. On the nose: clove, soft cinnamon, pomegranate, brambles, soft blackberry..so compelling. On the palate: density has definitely picked up.from what I remember; some grapeseed, dark blackberry, bitter wood, and transitioning seamlessly to a slightly tannic finish. I'm still not entirely happy with the showing on the mid-palate, but the aromatics are compelling enough to make me almost not care. Paired with cauliflower steaks with nutritional yeasts and liquid aminos (yes, very vegan), and an assortment of other roast vegetables, prepared in different ways. An excellent pairing (ironically, bc of the bitterness on the palate with which I was less than enamored).
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From 375 ml - Tangy red cherry with a little spice, joined by hints of orange peel with air, it starts out tight but really expands with air to show impressive depth well-delineated by acidity. On the second night it showed even more integration and complexity. It’s terrific now but still young, I can’t wait to see what more age brings.
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Ruby color with light brownish hues. Typical of new-world Pinots, aromas are initially dominated by red currant, but become more nuanced with decanting with added pomegranate or other "red fruit" notes. The wine requires a couple hours of decanting also to express subtle flavor layers, which I interpreted as pomegranate, tart cherry, blackberry, and under-ripe plumb. It has a rather long finish. Overall impression greatly improves with decanting, from the initial too-straight-forward and simple Pinot to a rather complex wine with of secondary-tertiary notes
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Elegant Dr. Pepper. Overall this is a medium-rich Cali Pinot that has tension and energy to balance its fullness. It’s still tightly wound and I found it loosened some with air.
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From a 375 with 1 hour decant. Earth, red fruit, and some cedar on the nose and the palate. Nice and well balanced with good acidity and some balanced tannins. Enjoyed for a wine that isn’t our usual style.
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Wine needed time to open up and was drunk over a couple of days; it is built powerfully and has robust character, still shedding some acidity; has distinct strawberry, raspberry interlaced with chocolate and a touch of smoke. Will likely evolve and settle. Definitely worth holding on to if you have the patience
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Not as good as the previous bottle, still good, but not amazing. Good nose with black cherries, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, and savory notes. Sour cherry, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, stems, herbs, raspberry flavors. Lacking acidity. The tannins have softened . From a 500. Previous bottle looked ready to go. This bottle looks like it needs time.
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from 375 - entering a beautiful, prime drinking window. This was exactly what we wanted last night (I'd use the word "perfect" - relative to my expectations and wants)
light/medium but generous round fruit, beautiful perfume. just glides.
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From a 500ml. PnP. Great nose with black cherries, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, and savory notes. Sour cherry, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, stems, herbs, raspberry flavors. Good acidity. The tannins have softened quite a bit from release. From a 500, just starting to hit its stride, I suspect my 750s still need time.
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Feels very young still and needed lots of air. Dark cherries, cedar, berries, and savory notes on the nose. Both acidity and tannins are quite high, but in balance. Tart cherries, herbs, and raspberry flavors on the palate. Good finish. This was quite difficult to taste and required time to show much. Maybe a bit of a dumb phase. Promising, but not the best Horseshoe I’ve had. 93?
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Just starting to come into its long drinking window. Good dark cherry fruit and misc spices, coming across a tad sweet and even rich, though really being quite light to medium bodied. Easy to drink, enjoyable, should gain in complexity over some more years.
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Drank this alongside the 2014 Bearwallow and today this is a couple steps behind. There is a lot of good material here but the wine isn’t really coming together yet with fruit and earth flavors not combining optimally and the wines structure still not mature. I think time will improve this so for now I am going to sit on my remaining bottles.
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from 500ml, 30 min. decant...intense, juicy flavors or red and black berries, certain stems playing a significant part. Very lively in the mouth, this will indeed take time to settle, but fun right now at least the first few sips, then clamped down tight. Gilman has the time right 2022 earlies...
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Pop and pour. Light ruby color; clear. Nose offers some fresh red cherries and an herbal element. Lots of fresh acidity and tartness, with a light and elegant mouthfeel. Fine tannins. Whole cluster usage gives a sappy, herbal component. Very good but not outstanding as the tart, herbal qualities keep this slightly out of balance.
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Very expressive aromatics. On the palate, an intense blast of raspberry, cherry and spice box. Good sappy depth, excellent length. I’d expect this wine to gain heft and evolve well ov the next 5-7 years.
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Popped and poured out of a 375ml format. The nose is really pretty and delicate with red fruit, flowers and herbs. The body is medium bodied with red and black fruit, herbs, earth and spice coming through in already complex palate. The wine is very balanced with well integrated tannins and is clearly built to age in a graceful way. It will be fascinating to watch this wine evolve over time. Glad I stocked up!
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Last in a 2nd spin through my 2014 375 sampler pack and the Horseshoe remains my favorite of the bunch, but the field narrowed as Bearwallow and Alpine had moments of greatness later in the evening more while the Horseshoe was somewhat less expressive than before, with stemmy notes more pronounced in the midpalate. Still lots to love here with a dusty raspberry topnote and a long tapered earthy finish. I have one more 375 but the 750s are going to bed for 4-6 years.
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The third of my half-bottles... think this is entering a period of development where it’s best left sleeping for awhile - will leave these alone for a couple years. Even after a decant, fruit is holding back and the structure feels taut, lean and dominant. Still like the wine - but it gave more pleasure right off the truck, and will again (likely more) in a few years.
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Very juicy nose of strawberry, cocoa, and a stem-derived spice. Lush without showing any flab, lots of juicy fruit that is if anything just slightly underripe. The 2014 Horseshoe has significant upside.
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First of 3 bottles. I'll stage this note over the next day, so at least a couple parts will follow. 12.7% ABV. In terms of immediate impressions with about 30 mins of air, this hit the glass with a reduced aromatic. Stinky and smoky that is now starting to disappear but be aware of this should your bottle act like mine and you want to open and immediately enjoy it. The early impression on the palate? Delicious. Pure, silky fruit of strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry, blood orange, mineral and spice....as we enjoyed the rest of the evening (and finished the bottle so this is going to be a 1-day TN), as you might expect the wine evolved. The reduction went away, replaced by a graphite and spice/lightly stemmy quality. The stems here were supportive, lifting the aromatic but to me, there was nothing green or herbal from them. The air also added complexity to the palate, with the fruit becoming more savory, still red with strawberry but with an added tangy element to it, along with some Indian spice (I suspect from the stems doing their seasoning thing). I also noticed some coil in the finish so I believe the added air allowed the wine to really show what's here. This is a terrific rendition of 'Shoe and one that has all the right stuff and a nice aging curve ahead.
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from 375. I actually meant to open the chard but grabbed this by mistake....that is if you can ever call opening a Rhys a mistake. Turns out I have a case of this so not a bad idea to check in on this. Not disappointed, it has a delicate floral nose with a touch of sweet spice and smoke that continues to open as it warms. on the pallet red tart fruit with a medium finish. Still very young but promising!
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Decanted. Ok, but expected more. Beautiful on the nose, with clove, cinnamon and spiced cherry; very nice oak influence. On the palate, ok acidity, and nice sour cherry, but I wanted something more enveloping and slightly less 1 dimensional. On the finish, very elegant tannin, but some woody bitterness. I guess I just wanted more on the mid...
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Rhys @ My Place--Part 3 (My House In The South OC): Opened this about 3 hours ago, left the cork in. Just poured a small glass to create this note. From what Jeff @ the winery told me, there is a 1/2 barrel of this made, so not much around. He kindly shared this with me for the Rhys event we're having today. Love the Rhys team, they are great partners. ABV 12.7%. Interesting bottle of wine. First impression......rustic. A mix of leather, a light touch of balsamic, lean strawberry and mineral. If you told me this was Rhys or SCM fruit, I'd not believe it. Reminds me something rustic from Italy. Finishes with a pretty good dose of tannin, blueberry skin, and light brushing of cherry tomato. I'm going to keep my mouth shut later as people come over and try this wine, to see what the raw reaction is to it. Do I like it? I am not sure. Maybe air will evolve it but it's certainly something to think on.
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told that this was a limited production wine. Light ruby color. Nose and palate full of cherries, slight funk, high tannins. Seems somewhat closed at this point, very interesting to try but not sure how this will evolve. 88 pts for now
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Pop and pour from a 375ml bottle. Tasted with food (jambalaya, in case you were wondering). Nose of fresh ripe berries and some brown spice and dried rose petals. Nice freshness to the wine. Shows a bit of a bitter tangerine peel along with red berries and pomegranate. Slightly tart and showing some bitterness on the finish. Good acidity that makes the wine inviting. Enjoyable.
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Medium red fruit, cherry, strawberry, red flowers, top soil, clove, cinnamon, silky texture, medium acidity, fine tannins on the finish, good balance and length, medium complexity. Very good as usual from this producer, has a perfect combination of new and old world characterisitcs.
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This beautiful Pinot provides complexity and power in a graceful package that reminds me why I fell in love with Rhys in the first place. Light garnet in color, light in body, beguiling nose of black cherry, spice, and flowers. Ethereal tastes of cranberry, pomegranate, rosemary, and herbs, with a finish that goes on and on. There is some youthful tartness here, but the depth and intensity promises great things for the future. 12.7% alcohol. The best 2014 CA Pinot I've tasted so far, this wine has a long life ahead of it, but it is surprisingly good now.
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From 375 - beautifully perfumed nose - underbrush, cinnamon, dark cherry, baking spices and limestone on the nose. Still young, dense and structured on the palate - dark cherry fruit and pine tar. Gorgeous and lots of potential.
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Wonderful after a 2-hour decant. Still edgy and tightly wound- has more to say than it's willing to share at this point - intriguing and hard to get. But showing enough. Bigger than the alcohol would indicate
Love it, though I'm going to try to let the rest of these 375s sleep
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From 375ml bottle, Pnp at the winery, 45% new French oak. Medium ruby color. Lots of toasty oak noticeable along with vanilla and spices. Low tannic profile yet high acidity. Flavors are a bit medicinal (in a good way if that's possible) along with cherry, anise/licorice and minerally spices. Moderately long finish. Needs more air time I think and while time in the cellar will help this will probably be best in 5-8 years and less likely to be best at say age 12 or beyond.
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It actually drinks amazingly well for it's age, usually Rhys wines need a minimum of 5 years to start showing, so it could go through a shut-down phase later in life. Medium red fruits, amazing texture, forest floor, an intensity that just keeps building from the initial attack through the mid-palate. Good acidity and structure, this will be a fairly long lived wine, probably drinking well for 20 years or more. Very very good.
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A tasting at Rhys Vineyards (Rhys Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains): A real stop-in-your tracks, explosive nose with layers of aromatics – black cherry, herbs, floral and baking spice. Palate is dense and medium-to-full bodied. Very open knit and generous at this stage. The fruit is so pure and lifted. Though there is concentration and density, the wine never loses its sense of balance and elegance. Long, long finish of black cherry with loads of spice (especially nutmeg).
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A visit to Rhys (Rhys Vineyards): Taken from a barrel sample. Ruby in color. The nose has nice cherries. On the palate, there is tight rope precise acidity and complexity. Really concentrated and intense. Lots of depth. Long finish. 93-96
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4/15/2024 - Burgundy Al wrote: 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.
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4/15/2024 - Beezc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Soft tannins, open and drinking beautifully. Long finish.
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3/29/2024 - gharter Likes this wine: 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.
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3/19/2024 - wineguy1968 Likes this wine: 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
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2/16/2024 - Jbird73 wrote: 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.
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1/6/2024 - Amerique wrote: 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
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11/5/2023 - azb wrote: 93 Points
Drinking well! Needs air.
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9/18/2023 - pjhr Likes this wine: 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.
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9/16/2023 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 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.
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8/18/2023 - rosenst1 wrote: 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.
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3/29/2023 - Rieslingfan wrote:
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.
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3/22/2023 - Jahull03 wrote:
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.
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3/16/2023 - SARED wrote: 93 Points
93-94
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2/4/2023 - mclanew Likes this wine: 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.
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1/6/2023 - Tannin1855 Likes this wine: 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.
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11/23/2022 - tony.domenico1@gmail.com Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking well.
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10/24/2022 - norsktorsk wrote: 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
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10/12/2022 - mmurph wrote:
Stunning!
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9/6/2022 - SCosgrove Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent
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7/18/2022 - stephenv wrote: 94 Points
Drinking wonderfully right now. Happy I have more of these but I wouldn’t hesitate to drink now.
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7/2/2022 - Mouthpiece wrote:
Hold per vineyard
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5/21/2022 - gharter Likes this wine: 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.
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4/21/2022 - grafstrb wrote: 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
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1/28/2022 - pakabear wrote:
Still could use another 3-5 years.
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12/28/2021 - Elpaninaro Likes this wine:
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
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10/20/2021 - DickMull Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice nose of earth and minerals, with some dark red candied fruit. The medium ruby color matches the medium body, which has a noticeably tannic spine. More dark red fruits, an iron-dominated minerality, and a seemingly floral component roll over the palate. The finish is austere, but lasts for a good 30 seconds. It was even better the next day. I’ll open my other bottle 3-4 years from now.
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10/2/2021 - mayfield Likes this wine: 90 Points
Oddly, this was overoaked; something I can't remember experiencing from a Rhys wine and I've had quite a few. The juice is high quality; I'll see how it evolves on the second day. The fruit is pleasantly ripe but tart enough; it will last longer, and perhaps will absorb the wood over time.
On day 2, much better integrated, I would wait 3 or 4 more years of I had another one
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9/13/2021 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
Singing on pop n pour. Loads of stem and spice filled black cherry fruit. Plenty of fruit concentration with fresh, balancing structure. At the front end of what should be a decade+ drinking window.
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7/19/2021 - rosenst1 wrote: 92 Points
PnP. Medium red. Complex nose of dark fruits, spice, and forest floor.Quite deep on the palate with good richness and balancing acidity and whole cluster impressions. This developed more smoothness and depth on the palate with air. Beginning to reach maturity but no rush. Nice.
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5/26/2021 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
19 months after the prior: again, dark, savory, and quite complex. Yet not a whole lot of discernible development in the intervening months. Still, very enjoyable over three nights.
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5/10/2021 - GrapeScott wrote: 91 Points
Looks like this is the first bottle from a case purchased as futures. Upon initial opening, the nose was a bit restrained and stemmy, also showing some cedary oak. On days 2/3, it had opened up considerably, showing strawberry-rhubarb, spicebox and bing cherry flavors, with some floral and mineral notes. Tangy and bright with a cedary/spicey finish (whole cluster imprint I believe). Good potential here, but needs time.
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3/7/2021 - cadamson Likes this wine:
Wow, really has picked up complexity since my last bottle a couple years ago. Lots of dark fruit, brambly soil like notes, and serious depth. Many, many years to go. May be the best Horseshoe I have had yet.
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2/17/2021 - Aravind Asok wrote:
Pop and pour. About 3.5 yrs since my last btl. Once again, fantastic aromatics. On the nose: clove, soft cinnamon, pomegranate, brambles, soft blackberry..so compelling. On the palate: density has definitely picked up.from what I remember; some grapeseed, dark blackberry, bitter wood, and transitioning seamlessly to a slightly tannic finish. I'm still not entirely happy with the showing on the mid-palate, but the aromatics are compelling enough to make me almost not care. Paired with cauliflower steaks with nutritional yeasts and liquid aminos (yes, very vegan), and an assortment of other roast vegetables, prepared in different ways. An excellent pairing (ironically, bc of the bitterness on the palate with which I was less than enamored).
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2/9/2021 - MikeATL Likes this wine: 94 Points
From 375 ml - Tangy red cherry with a little spice, joined by hints of orange peel with air, it starts out tight but really expands with air to show impressive depth well-delineated by acidity. On the second night it showed even more integration and complexity. It’s terrific now but still young, I can’t wait to see what more age brings.
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1/23/2021 - martin_e Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ruby color with light brownish hues. Typical of new-world Pinots, aromas are initially dominated by red currant, but become more nuanced with decanting with added pomegranate or other "red fruit" notes. The wine requires a couple hours of decanting also to express subtle flavor layers, which I interpreted as pomegranate, tart cherry, blackberry, and under-ripe plumb. It has a rather long finish. Overall impression greatly improves with decanting, from the initial too-straight-forward and simple Pinot to a rather complex wine with of secondary-tertiary notes
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11/29/2020 - yaCellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Elegant Dr. Pepper. Overall this is a medium-rich Cali Pinot that has tension and energy to balance its fullness. It’s still tightly wound and I found it loosened some with air.
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11/26/2020 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Rich dark strawberry fruit with smokey and earthy flavors, excellent structure, acidic, ample finish, surprisingly good
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11/7/2020 - mdvillaverde wrote: 90 Points
Pretty much the same experience as RHWINETRACKER from a 375ml bottle with an hour out of the bottle.
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9/21/2020 - Rhwinetracker wrote: 90 Points
From a 375 with 1 hour decant. Earth, red fruit, and some cedar on the nose and the palate. Nice and well balanced with good acidity and some balanced tannins. Enjoyed for a wine that isn’t our usual style.
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9/19/2020 - royalscam Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wine needed time to open up and was drunk over a couple of days; it is built powerfully and has robust character, still shedding some acidity; has distinct strawberry, raspberry interlaced with chocolate and a touch of smoke. Will likely evolve and settle. Definitely worth holding on to if you have the patience
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7/12/2020 - Acohen wrote: 91 Points
Cranberry and cherry with nice cinnamon
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5/20/2020 - gharter Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not as good as the previous bottle, still good, but not amazing.
Good nose with black cherries, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, and savory notes. Sour cherry, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, stems, herbs, raspberry flavors. Lacking acidity. The tannins have softened . From a 500. Previous bottle looked ready to go. This bottle looks like it needs time.
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4/17/2020 - Jahull03 wrote:
from 375 - entering a beautiful, prime drinking window. This was exactly what we wanted last night (I'd use the word "perfect" - relative to my expectations and wants)
light/medium but generous round fruit, beautiful perfume. just glides.
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4/11/2020 - gharter Likes this wine: 92 Points
From a 500ml. PnP. Great nose with black cherries, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, and savory notes. Sour cherry, vanilla, dark fruit, spice, stems, herbs, raspberry flavors. Good acidity. The tannins have softened quite a bit from release. From a 500, just starting to hit its stride, I suspect my 750s still need time.
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3/13/2020 - glou.sf Likes this wine: 93 Points
Feels very young still and needed lots of air. Dark cherries, cedar, berries, and savory notes on the nose. Both acidity and tannins are quite high, but in balance. Tart cherries, herbs, and raspberry flavors on the palate. Good finish. This was quite difficult to taste and required time to show much. Maybe a bit of a dumb phase. Promising, but not the best Horseshoe I’ve had. 93?
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12/29/2019 - cadamson Likes this wine:
Just starting to come into its long drinking window. Good dark cherry fruit and misc spices, coming across a tad sweet and even rich, though really being quite light to medium bodied. Easy to drink, enjoyable, should gain in complexity over some more years.
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12/25/2019 - mclanew wrote: 92 Points
Drank this alongside the 2014 Bearwallow and today this is a couple steps behind. There is a lot of good material here but the wine isn’t really coming together yet with fruit and earth flavors not combining optimally and the wines structure still not mature. I think time will improve this so for now I am going to sit on my remaining bottles.
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10/23/2019 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
Bright, savory dark fruit, and quite complex. Nicely in balance. Very enjoyable over three nights.
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9/1/2019 - pakabear Likes this wine: 90 Points
Strawberry, rhubarb, cream, top soil, tree bark, clove, fairly light, not as good as some of the earlier bottles I’ve had.
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9/1/2019 - Basegad Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very nice Pinot. Not a lot of barnyard/musty tones but very clean.
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8/13/2019 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Smokey strawberry flavors, soft, round
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5/28/2019 - Louvin wrote:
from 500ml, 30 min. decant...intense, juicy flavors or red and black berries, certain stems playing a significant part. Very lively in the mouth, this will indeed take time to settle, but fun right now at least the first few sips, then clamped down tight. Gilman has the time right 2022 earlies...
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5/7/2019 - t_moderne wrote: 87 Points
Pop and pour.
Light ruby color; clear.
Nose offers some fresh red cherries and an herbal element.
Lots of fresh acidity and tartness, with a light and elegant mouthfeel. Fine tannins. Whole cluster usage gives a sappy, herbal component.
Very good but not outstanding as the tart, herbal qualities keep this slightly out of balance.
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1/31/2019 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very expressive aromatics. On the palate, an intense blast of raspberry, cherry and spice box. Good sappy depth, excellent length. I’d expect this wine to gain heft and evolve well ov the next 5-7 years.
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1/1/2019 - mclanew Likes this wine: 95 Points
Popped and poured out of a 375ml format. The nose is really pretty and delicate with red fruit, flowers and herbs. The body is medium bodied with red and black fruit, herbs, earth and spice coming through in already complex palate. The wine is very balanced with well integrated tannins and is clearly built to age in a graceful way. It will be fascinating to watch this wine evolve over time. Glad I stocked up!
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9/23/2018 - silton Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last in a 2nd spin through my 2014 375 sampler pack and the Horseshoe remains my favorite of the bunch, but the field narrowed as Bearwallow and Alpine had moments of greatness later in the evening more while the Horseshoe was somewhat less expressive than before, with stemmy notes more pronounced in the midpalate. Still lots to love here with a dusty raspberry topnote and a long tapered earthy finish. I have one more 375 but the 750s are going to bed for 4-6 years.
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9/4/2018 - Jahull03 wrote:
The third of my half-bottles... think this is entering a period of development where it’s best left sleeping for awhile - will leave these alone for a couple years. Even after a decant, fruit is holding back and the structure feels taut, lean and dominant. Still like the wine - but it gave more pleasure right off the truck, and will again (likely more) in a few years.
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8/23/2018 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Rich, dark strawberry with smoke and soil flavors, excellent structure, ample acid and finish
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8/13/2018 - rlove wrote: 92 Points
Very juicy nose of strawberry, cocoa, and a stem-derived spice. Lush without showing any flab, lots of juicy fruit that is if anything just slightly underripe. The 2014 Horseshoe has significant upside.
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7/23/2018 - pakabear Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still needs a few years, strawberry, cherry, deep woods, plum, cinnamon and clove, great balance, should get better with 3-5 years.
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6/8/2018 - MLwine Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Disappointingly artificial and reduced. I'm hoping this needs more time to come together.
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1/28/2018 - brigcampbell wrote:
Blind - guessed Rivers Marie.
I got the same orange or tangerine as t_moderne in their note. That's Summa to me. Buzz.
Nice lush strawberry and soft palate. Really tasty.
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1/27/2018 - Frank Murray III wrote:
First of 3 bottles. I'll stage this note over the next day, so at least a couple parts will follow. 12.7% ABV. In terms of immediate impressions with about 30 mins of air, this hit the glass with a reduced aromatic. Stinky and smoky that is now starting to disappear but be aware of this should your bottle act like mine and you want to open and immediately enjoy it. The early impression on the palate? Delicious. Pure, silky fruit of strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry, blood orange, mineral and spice....as we enjoyed the rest of the evening (and finished the bottle so this is going to be a 1-day TN), as you might expect the wine evolved. The reduction went away, replaced by a graphite and spice/lightly stemmy quality. The stems here were supportive, lifting the aromatic but to me, there was nothing green or herbal from them. The air also added complexity to the palate, with the fruit becoming more savory, still red with strawberry but with an added tangy element to it, along with some Indian spice (I suspect from the stems doing their seasoning thing). I also noticed some coil in the finish so I believe the added air allowed the wine to really show what's here. This is a terrific rendition of 'Shoe and one that has all the right stuff and a nice aging curve ahead.
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1/8/2018 - wineguy1968 Likes this wine:
from 375. I actually meant to open the chard but grabbed this by mistake....that is if you can ever call opening a Rhys a mistake. Turns out I have a case of this so not a bad idea to check in on this. Not disappointed, it has a delicate floral nose with a touch of sweet spice and smoke that continues to open as it warms. on the pallet red tart fruit with a medium finish. Still very young but promising!
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11/16/2017 - Aravind Asok wrote:
Decanted. Ok, but expected more. Beautiful on the nose, with clove, cinnamon and spiced cherry; very nice oak influence. On the palate, ok acidity, and nice sour cherry, but I wanted something more enveloping and slightly less 1 dimensional. On the finish, very elegant tannin, but some woody bitterness. I guess I just wanted more on the mid...
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10/1/2017 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Rhys @ My Place--Part 3 (My House In The South OC): Opened this about 3 hours ago, left the cork in. Just poured a small glass to create this note. From what Jeff @ the winery told me, there is a 1/2 barrel of this made, so not much around. He kindly shared this with me for the Rhys event we're having today. Love the Rhys team, they are great partners. ABV 12.7%. Interesting bottle of wine. First impression......rustic. A mix of leather, a light touch of balsamic, lean strawberry and mineral. If you told me this was Rhys or SCM fruit, I'd not believe it. Reminds me something rustic from Italy. Finishes with a pretty good dose of tannin, blueberry skin, and light brushing of cherry tomato. I'm going to keep my mouth shut later as people come over and try this wine, to see what the raw reaction is to it. Do I like it? I am not sure. Maybe air will evolve it but it's certainly something to think on.
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9/30/2017 - fred o. wrote:
told that this was a limited production wine. Light ruby color. Nose and palate full of cherries, slight funk, high tannins. Seems somewhat closed at this point, very interesting to try but not sure how this will evolve. 88 pts for now
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5/15/2017 - t_moderne wrote: 90 Points
Pop and pour from a 375ml bottle. Tasted with food (jambalaya, in case you were wondering).
Nose of fresh ripe berries and some brown spice and dried rose petals. Nice freshness to the wine. Shows a bit of a bitter tangerine peel along with red berries and pomegranate. Slightly tart and showing some bitterness on the finish. Good acidity that makes the wine inviting.
Enjoyable.
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5/4/2017 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Medium red fruit, cherry, strawberry, red flowers, top soil, clove, cinnamon, silky texture, medium acidity, fine tannins on the finish, good balance and length, medium complexity. Very good as usual from this producer, has a perfect combination of new and old world characterisitcs.
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4/1/2017 - citizen1 wrote: 93 Points
As others have noted, this baby has fantastic potential. PnP a 500ml and it is really good right away. Will let sit open for a bit.
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3/11/2017 - msuwine Likes this wine: 95 Points
This beautiful Pinot provides complexity and power in a graceful package that reminds me why I fell in love with Rhys in the first place. Light garnet in color, light in body, beguiling nose of black cherry, spice, and flowers. Ethereal tastes of cranberry, pomegranate, rosemary, and herbs, with a finish that goes on and on. There is some youthful tartness here, but the depth and intensity promises great things for the future. 12.7% alcohol. The best 2014 CA Pinot I've tasted so far, this wine has a long life ahead of it, but it is surprisingly good now.
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3/7/2017 - Tree512 wrote: 92 Points
Huge potential. Clear pinot flavors, red fruit and acid. Burgundian - much more transparent than '12 or '13. Should turn into something special.
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2/4/2017 - jreis Likes this wine:
From 375 - beautifully perfumed nose - underbrush, cinnamon, dark cherry, baking spices and limestone on the nose. Still young, dense and structured on the palate - dark cherry fruit and pine tar. Gorgeous and lots of potential.
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12/16/2016 - Jahull03 wrote:
Wonderful after a 2-hour decant. Still edgy and tightly wound- has more to say than it's willing to share at this point - intriguing and hard to get. But showing enough. Bigger than the alcohol would indicate
Love it, though I'm going to try to let the rest of these 375s sleep
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12/12/2016 - oldwines wrote: 93 Points
From 375ml bottle, Pnp at the winery, 45% new French oak. Medium ruby color. Lots of toasty oak noticeable along with vanilla and spices. Low tannic profile yet high acidity. Flavors are a bit medicinal (in a good way if that's possible) along with cherry, anise/licorice and minerally spices. Moderately long finish. Needs more air time I think and while time in the cellar will help this will probably be best in 5-8 years and less likely to be best at say age 12 or beyond.
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12/7/2016 - pakabear Likes this wine: 94 Points
It actually drinks amazingly well for it's age, usually Rhys wines need a minimum of 5 years to start showing, so it could go through a shut-down phase later in life. Medium red fruits, amazing texture, forest floor, an intensity that just keeps building from the initial attack through the mid-palate. Good acidity and structure, this will be a fairly long lived wine, probably drinking well for 20 years or more. Very very good.
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6/10/2016 - Nanda wrote: 94 Points
A tasting at Rhys Vineyards (Rhys Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains): A real stop-in-your tracks, explosive nose with layers of aromatics – black cherry, herbs, floral and baking spice. Palate is dense and medium-to-full bodied. Very open knit and generous at this stage. The fruit is so pure and lifted. Though there is concentration and density, the wine never loses its sense of balance and elegance. Long, long finish of black cherry with loads of spice (especially nutmeg).
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4/15/2016 - Loren Sonkin wrote:
A visit to Rhys (Rhys Vineyards): Taken from a barrel sample. Ruby in color. The nose has nice cherries. On the palate, there is tight rope precise acidity and complexity. Really concentrated and intense. Lots of depth. Long finish. 93-96
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