1. Appearance Clarity: Clear Intensity: Medium Color: Pale gold, suggesting richness and careful oak aging.
2. Nose Condition: Clean Intensity: High Aroma/Bouquet: Fruit: Ripe lemon, green apple, and hints of tropical fruits like pineapple and mango Flower: Subtle notes of white flowers, such as jasmine Earth: Minimal earthiness, focusing more on a clean, fruit-driven profile Mineral: A hint of wet stone, contributing to the wine's complexity Wood: Evident but well-integrated oak, providing nuances of vanilla and toasted almond
3. Palate Sweetness: Dry Acidity: High – crisp and invigorating, balancing the richness of the fruit and oak Tannin: N/A – not applicable for this white wine Flavor Character: Fruit: Continues with the citrus and apple, now complemented by more pronounced tropical nuances and a subtle hint of peach Flower: Light floral elements add a delicate touch to the rich fruit Earth: Very slight, keeping the focus on the fruit and mineral interplay Mineral: Crisp mineral undertones enhance the freshness Wood: Well-balanced oak aging contributes to the complexity with a creamy texture and hints of spice
Body/Alcohol: Medium to full-bodied, with alcohol that complements the wine’s robust profile without overwhelming
Length: Long, with a persistent finish that echoes the fruit, creamy oak, and mineral notes
Conclusion
Quality with Respect to Price: The 2019 Rhys Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains is considered a high-quality wine, reflecting the winery’s commitment to expressing the unique terroir of their vineyards. It is priced accordingly, often seen as providing excellent value for the complexity and aging potential it offers.
Maturity with Respect to Ageing: This wine, while already approachable for its balance and depth, has the potential to evolve and gain additional complexity with a few more years of bottle aging, potentially rewarding those who wait with an even richer palate experience.
Food and Wine Pairing: Ideal with rich seafood dishes like lobster or scallops, creamy pasta dishes, or poultry in a creamy sauce. The wine's structure and depth also make it suitable for pairing with veal or pork tenderloin.
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Retail $50. Under cork. This is NOT the Alesia, but rather the standard Chard from the Santa Cruz Mountains. I tried to enter it correctly, but CT defaulted to this Alesia bottling for some reason. Ugh. Barely a straw color in the glass with a host of tropical notes (guava, papaya) on the nose. The palate is fantastically harmonious with plenty of fruit, a balancing tartness, and enough intrigue to (perhaps) entertain even the most fervent of the ABC crowd. The finish is lengthy, lively and even lithe. Fantastic.
Delicious lemon zest and citrus notes on the aromatic nose and silky palate with delicious acidity and mineral notes on the moderate long finish. Absolutely delicious!
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Aromas of cooked red apple and pear, ripe melon, lemon curd, crème brûlée, saltwater taffy, yogurt, brioche, buttered popcorn, and caramel.
This wine is medium bodied and viscous on the palate but has good (medium- ) acidity to moderate the oak regimen. Likely not a full malolactic fermentation. Mid-palate is a bit flat but finish is strong. This is definitely in that bigger/richer traditional California style but crafted with a bit more elegance (aka less ripeness and more acidity).
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Aromatics lean toward citrus and dried pineapple here, but the nose is fairly reticent. The palate is medium with good acidic energy, but it seems a little hollow in the center. I suspect it's just a bit too young yet.
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Vibrant lemon zest and citrus notes on the aromatic nose and lively palate with delicious acidity and mineral notes on the moderate long finish. Absolutely delicious!
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Vibrant lemon zest and citrus notes on the aromatic nose and lively palate with delicious acidity and mineral notes on the moderate long finish. Absolutely delicious young!
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12.5% abv. Light straw, very aromatic. Citrus, pear, and orchard fruit, this wine is very well balanced, very well behaved and pleasing at this early stage. Excellent depth and length very fine mouthfeel. Delicious wine that is just getting started.
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5/10/2024 - ELEVAGE_PCB wrote: 93 Points
1. Appearance
Clarity: Clear
Intensity: Medium
Color: Pale gold, suggesting richness and careful oak aging.
2. Nose
Condition: Clean
Intensity: High
Aroma/Bouquet:
Fruit: Ripe lemon, green apple, and hints of tropical fruits like pineapple and mango
Flower: Subtle notes of white flowers, such as jasmine
Earth: Minimal earthiness, focusing more on a clean, fruit-driven profile
Mineral: A hint of wet stone, contributing to the wine's complexity
Wood: Evident but well-integrated oak, providing nuances of vanilla and toasted almond
3. Palate
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High – crisp and invigorating, balancing the richness of the fruit and oak
Tannin: N/A – not applicable for this white wine
Flavor Character:
Fruit: Continues with the citrus and apple, now complemented by more pronounced tropical nuances and a subtle hint of peach
Flower: Light floral elements add a delicate touch to the rich fruit
Earth: Very slight, keeping the focus on the fruit and mineral interplay
Mineral: Crisp mineral undertones enhance the freshness
Wood: Well-balanced oak aging contributes to the complexity with a creamy texture and hints of spice
Body/Alcohol: Medium to full-bodied, with alcohol that complements the wine’s robust profile without overwhelming
Length: Long, with a persistent finish that echoes the fruit, creamy oak, and mineral notes
Conclusion
Quality with Respect to Price: The 2019 Rhys Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains is considered a high-quality wine, reflecting the winery’s commitment to expressing the unique terroir of their vineyards. It is priced accordingly, often seen as providing excellent value for the complexity and aging potential it offers.
Maturity with Respect to Ageing: This wine, while already approachable for its balance and depth, has the potential to evolve and gain additional complexity with a few more years of bottle aging, potentially rewarding those who wait with an even richer palate experience.
Food and Wine Pairing: Ideal with rich seafood dishes like lobster or scallops, creamy pasta dishes, or poultry in a creamy sauce. The wine's structure and depth also make it suitable for pairing with veal or pork tenderloin.
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3/8/2024 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As delicious as the last bottle!
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2/12/2024 - marshalc Likes this wine: 90 Points
First time trying it. Had expected a bit more depth or complexity. Hold?
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2/1/2024 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 91 Points
ON the lighter side, but with crisp, focused citrus flavors.
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1/13/2024 - Rond wrote: 91 Points
Light straw. Very light bodied, with notes of lemon and stone.
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12/26/2023 - ID Likes this wine:
Pretty darn good. Sorry, just drank a lot of wine, so nothing more to say.
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12/3/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 92 Points
Retail $50. Under cork. This is NOT the Alesia, but rather the standard Chard from the Santa Cruz Mountains. I tried to enter it correctly, but CT defaulted to this Alesia bottling for some reason. Ugh. Barely a straw color in the glass with a host of tropical notes (guava, papaya) on the nose. The palate is fantastically harmonious with plenty of fruit, a balancing tartness, and enough intrigue to (perhaps) entertain even the most fervent of the ABC crowd. The finish is lengthy, lively and even lithe. Fantastic.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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12/1/2023 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious lemon zest and citrus notes on the aromatic nose and silky palate with delicious acidity and mineral notes on the moderate long finish. Absolutely delicious!
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10/8/2023 - VinhoVerde Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pale yellow color. Nutmeg, yellow fruit, and lemon aroma. Youthful backward flavor. Needs 4 more years of age before serving. Excellent potential.
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9/17/2023 - WineDoctors wrote: 92 Points
Terrific combo of cool climate character, major ML and low ABV. Nicely done!
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7/15/2023 - snamnoum@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Medium golden color.
Aromas of cooked red apple and pear, ripe melon, lemon curd, crème brûlée, saltwater taffy, yogurt, brioche, buttered popcorn, and caramel.
This wine is medium bodied and viscous on the palate but has good (medium- ) acidity to moderate the oak regimen. Likely not a full malolactic fermentation. Mid-palate is a bit flat but finish is strong. This is definitely in that bigger/richer traditional California style but crafted with a bit more elegance (aka less ripeness and more acidity).
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4/20/2023 - pjhr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasty lemon zest and citrus notes on the nose and refreshing palate with balanced acidity and mineral notes on the moderate long finish.
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4/10/2023 - pjhr Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasty, but not quite as open as the last bottle.
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4/1/2023 - Carib Likes this wine: 89 Points
See below PJHR note of 2/10/2023, spot on. It was delicious and refreshing with a shrimp risotto; used it for cooking the risotto as well.
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3/15/2023 - Mario17 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nez d’agrumes et floral, belle acidité appuyée, équilibre avec un peu de rondeur mais à peine, rien de super profond mais très bien. 89-90
Great Cali Chardonnay, nice balance, crisp and clean, nothing deep but nice bottle.
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2/10/2023 - pjhr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasty lemon zest and citrus notes on the nose and refreshing palate with balanced acidity and mineral notes on the moderate long finish.
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12/9/2022 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As delicious the last bottle!
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12/8/2022 - jlm wrote:
Aromatics lean toward citrus and dried pineapple here, but the nose is fairly reticent. The palate is medium with good acidic energy, but it seems a little hollow in the center. I suspect it's just a bit too young yet.
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10/12/2022 - cweiner Likes this wine: 92 Points
A baby. Be patient. More to improve.
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8/25/2022 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Well balanced, energetic and elegant.
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6/3/2022 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Crisp, lively, fresh and well balanced. Very nice!
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3/29/2022 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Vibrant lemon zest and citrus notes on the aromatic nose and lively palate with delicious acidity and mineral notes on the moderate long finish. Absolutely delicious!
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3/11/2022 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As delicious the last bottle!
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2/11/2022 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Vibrant lemon zest and citrus notes on the aromatic nose and lively palate with delicious acidity and mineral notes on the moderate long finish. Absolutely delicious young!
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1/3/2022 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
I continue to be impressed with the balance and intensity of this wine. Very nice!
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11/29/2021 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 94 Points
12.5% abv. Light straw, very aromatic. Citrus, pear, and orchard fruit, this wine is very well balanced, very well behaved and pleasing at this early stage. Excellent depth and length very fine mouthfeel. Delicious wine that is just getting started.
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