Most similar to a Burgundy in expression with all the iron infused savory fruit. Chunky though with the ripeness preventing some harmony. Yet overall this is quite good. Recalling that the vine age is quite low when this was made makes this very impressive intellectually. On night two it's more even but also tart and flashing ripeness. I'd say this is in a zone of drinking. Cool wine. You have to wonder how the winemaking changes are effecting the aging curves now with a clearly impressive site for Pinot.
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I agree with other notes here, that this might be at its peak., but not really showing age other than being well integrated. Nice balance, on the more elegant side, mostly dark red berry profile.
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Could be the first Rhys wine I've had that's in a mature state, or at least knocking on the door of it. It's got an old-Burgundy style earthy nose layered on top of fruit that's still holding on to some of that fresh cranberry snap and pop but is also starting to pick up some rusty iron tones. Quite full and packed though I'm not sure it's as svelte as subsequent vintages.
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Just approaching the beginning of maturity, with tremendous depth and complexity of fruit and a touch of fresh blackberry cane vegetality, it was initially a little tart on the finish but the acid integrated with air. It’s a world class example of the variety with years of development remaining.
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Reminds me how Rhys pinots at 10+ years can be exceptional. Perfect with grilled salmon, enough cherry here to remind you that it starts with fruit but far from being a fruit bomb. On the contrary the main impression I’m left with is the balance.
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Interesting. on openeing, this had a brown hue and seemed over the hill. In about 20 minutes, it revived and at the hour mark, it was youthful and ruby. Very much new world but also a finesse styled Pinot. The nose has cherries, some earth and a bit of dust and spice. On the palate, cherries and with air, sour cherries. deep and tightly layered. It unwinds a bit in the glass. Nice texture. Good finish. Based on this bottle, probably needs some air if you are opening now, but be gentle with it. A bit finicky. Given that, quite good.
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Reasonably mature red cherry and berry aromas and flavors with background Asian five spice. Very good balance, with good weight and length. First vintage for this wine.
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A richer version of Pinot than usually my taste but still well made and with a certain restraint. Suspect this is still on the young side and could use a few more years to show depth and complexity.
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Really enjoyed this. I believe this has entered its drinking window, but it also has many years to go so no hurry. Well balanced and complex. One of the more Burgundian Rhys for my palate.
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Did not decant. Initial notes had some stewed qualities that could have blown off with decanting. Otherwise wonderful spice characteristics and the palate was backed up with spice, tannic backbone and long finish. Highly recommended. No rush.
...with more time, wonderful balance and complexity. No stewed qualities and this is a very unique, terroir driven wine. Digg'in it! Score confirmed.
Nose: Wonderfully earthy and loamy. The stems provide a nice spice that plays well against the darker red fruit.
Palate: Light with elegant, silky tannins and a great acidic pop on the backend. It's rounded out with a crunchy red fruit that adds a bit of youthful exuberance to the otherwise somewhat morose teenager.
Finish: Tart, astringent (yea, I know they both kinda mean the same thing, but there's a difference here. Tart coming from the fruit and astringent from the acid/tannin 1, 2 punch) with a spicy/stemy aspect.
Thoughts: Well now, this is pretty damn good. Gotta say the nose is actually a little better when first popped as the stem/earth quality is stronger. The more air it gets the more the fruit starts to emerge and the more youthful it becomes.
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Rhys Tasting With The Gang (My House): Tasted alongside the 2008 Skyline, and for kicks and giggles, the 2007 D'Angerville Champans that I had pulled from the cellar on the fly to join the flight. This 2007 Skyline is dark, intense and tannic with a peppery, stemmy aromatic. And to think this was opened the night before last....shows the structure that is here. Juicy raspberry and strawberry fruit. And an interesting note, one I have not previously cited for pinot, there was a tasting marker here that reminded me of the red berry intensity of a really fine shot of espresso. Not the coffee aspect but the deep, roasted berry signature that infuses a good shot. Really caught my attention.
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In a flight with 2007 Swan Terrace and Family Farm, I thought the Skyline was showing best in this flight, and by a country mile at that. Although Rhys owner Kevin Harvey has at times analogized Swan Terrace to Chambolle, on this night it’s Skyline that fits the bill in my estimation, showing charming lightness and delicacy on the floral nose and palate, with the slightly tart plummy fruit and acidity bringing me much pleasure. With air, an exotic spice component emerges in the nose, so although I liken this wine first to Chambolle or Volnay first based on body and texture, I wouldn’t quibble with a comparison to Vosne based on the spice. Easily my wine of the night, 94-95 points; I’m not yet allocated Skyline, but will buy all I can when given the chance.
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Extraordinary nose that's pulled back to earth a bit by the sharp mouth. The length is good, though, with a lot of dusty fruity notes that include nice structure.
Even so, I found this a hard wine to like in the end. The overwhelmingly harsh mouth did it in.
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I have to say, the Rhys Skyline wines are my favorites in the Rhys lineup. This wine has striking minerality, depth of fruit, refreshing sappiness, a lipsmacking finish, and a certain spice and autumnal quality. Maybe it's just that I worked up on Skyline Boulevard for 7 years (King's Mountain feels like a second home to me), but this wine is simply unique an unlike any other CA Pinot I have ever had. While I personally don't have the patience to let these rest for 20 years, I can imagine that in 2027, this wine will be drinking otherworldly. Unfortunately, this was my last bottle, but I am grateful I got to drink as much of this as I did. If you can get your hands on this wine, don't hesitate for even a second. This one is special.
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Pop and pour and followed over two hours. This has an interesting floral bouquet with hint of spice. Lots of milk chocolate and red fruit. Quite an interesting pinot with the milk chocolate flavors. Good acidity. Long, dry finish.
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Popped and poured. A bit too cold and first, so flavors were muted. Tart bing cherry and some spice and mineral notes. A few edges and tannins have yet to resolve. Should be better with a few more years of cellaring.
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first time with this vineyard, and i'm a believer! very intriguing spice notes are abundant. red fruited, pure, light weight, awesome balance. i did notice some stems, but that is to be expected in this stage of development. this will be a knockout in 5-10 years time. once again, rhys hits my sweet spot and reminds me why they are the number one holding in my cellar.
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Opens with an enticing spice-bazaar scent which has you wondering whether this will behave like a Vosne-Romanee impersonator, but as soon as you taste it the richness of the fruit definitely stops you from thinking Old World. It's not over-the-top but seriously dense and glossy, mostly covering up the slightly edgy tannin. I'm guessing the primary sweetness will recede and turn the wine more transparent over the next year, since that's what the '06s did and that's what this sort of does over a few hours in the decanter, in which the fruit intensity mellows out and lets an iron-like minerality emerge.
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The Vineyard Lunch Gang Has A FreeForAll - Dec 18, 2009: This was a treat to taste so early on. Served blind and my initial thoughts when more toward Rhone. Something very young and fruity with a grenache base and very light tannin. Once I was told it was pinot I thought oh yeah, Anderson Valley. Well nope but it is my second favorite Cali Pinot area (probably a tie between the two). At this stage the pure fruit as it the front. I got hints of other elements but the primary fruit really lead the charge. I loved the purity. Not sure of how long this will go but it certainly needs 2-4 years. This is big cali pinot done right. Lots of sweet fruit that is not candied.
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Friday at Jason's Office (Jason Hagen's office): Nose is dark and rich with a spicy character showing ripe fruits. Rich and dark palate with a juicy quality and more spices. The palate seemed a bit tight overall. The next night it seemed bigger and a bit more integrated becoming somewhat seamless. I would hold this for a couple years but seemed on the round side so I don't think it's a long termer.
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Tremendous spice profile, with black cherry fruit and a big dose of minerals. Youthful and capricious, with a lot of structure and cherry on the palate. Precocious, you can see the youthfulness of the vineyard. Long finish and, like all the wines, quite a bit of tannin. A-
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10/18/2023 - WetRock wrote:
Most similar to a Burgundy in expression with all the iron infused savory fruit. Chunky though with the ripeness preventing some harmony. Yet overall this is quite good. Recalling that the vine age is quite low when this was made makes this very impressive intellectually. On night two it's more even but also tart and flashing ripeness. I'd say this is in a zone of drinking. Cool wine. You have to wonder how the winemaking changes are effecting the aging curves now with a clearly impressive site for Pinot.
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3/1/2022 - gzim Likes this wine: 92 Points
I agree with other notes here, that this might be at its peak., but not really showing age other than being well integrated. Nice balance, on the more elegant side, mostly dark red berry profile.
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11/6/2021 - Keith Levenberg Likes this wine: 93 Points
Could be the first Rhys wine I've had that's in a mature state, or at least knocking on the door of it. It's got an old-Burgundy style earthy nose layered on top of fruit that's still holding on to some of that fresh cranberry snap and pop but is also starting to pick up some rusty iron tones. Quite full and packed though I'm not sure it's as svelte as subsequent vintages.
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11/27/2020 - MikeATL Likes this wine: 94 Points
Just approaching the beginning of maturity, with tremendous depth and complexity of fruit and a touch of fresh blackberry cane vegetality, it was initially a little tart on the finish but the acid integrated with air. It’s a world class example of the variety with years of development remaining.
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1/12/2020 - Brunello123 wrote: 96 Points
This wine is drinking very well right now.
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5/27/2019 - sfwineguy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Reminds me how Rhys pinots at 10+ years can be exceptional. Perfect with grilled salmon, enough cherry here to remind you that it starts with fruit but far from being a fruit bomb. On the contrary the main impression I’m left with is the balance.
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9/25/2017 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 93 Points
Interesting. on openeing, this had a brown hue and seemed over the hill. In about 20 minutes, it revived and at the hour mark, it was youthful and ruby. Very much new world but also a finesse styled Pinot. The nose has cherries, some earth and a bit of dust and spice. On the palate, cherries and with air, sour cherries. deep and tightly layered. It unwinds a bit in the glass. Nice texture. Good finish. Based on this bottle, probably needs some air if you are opening now, but be gentle with it. A bit finicky. Given that, quite good.
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8/25/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Reasonably mature red cherry and berry aromas and flavors with background Asian five spice. Very good balance, with good weight and length. First vintage for this wine.
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8/2/2016 - mlawren1 wrote: 93 Points
Very well put together wine with deep berries and cherries over an earthy core.
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7/5/2016 - LW31 Likes this wine: 89 Points
A richer version of Pinot than usually my taste but still well made and with a certain restraint. Suspect this is still on the young side and could use a few more years to show depth and complexity.
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1/30/2016 - cookie7 Likes this wine:
Really enjoyed this. I believe this has entered its drinking window, but it also has many years to go so no hurry. Well balanced and complex. One of the more Burgundian Rhys for my palate.
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9/13/2015 - Blue Oval Likes this wine: 94 Points
Did not decant. Initial notes had some stewed qualities that could have blown off with decanting. Otherwise wonderful spice characteristics and the palate was backed up with spice, tannic backbone and long finish. Highly recommended. No rush.
...with more time, wonderful balance and complexity. No stewed qualities and this is a very unique, terroir driven wine. Digg'in it! Score confirmed.
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9/2/2015 - bu11itt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose: Wonderfully earthy and loamy. The stems provide a nice spice that plays well against the darker red fruit.
Palate: Light with elegant, silky tannins and a great acidic pop on the backend. It's rounded out with a crunchy red fruit that adds a bit of youthful exuberance to the otherwise somewhat morose teenager.
Finish: Tart, astringent (yea, I know they both kinda mean the same thing, but there's a difference here. Tart coming from the fruit and astringent from the acid/tannin 1, 2 punch) with a spicy/stemy aspect.
Thoughts: Well now, this is pretty damn good. Gotta say the nose is actually a little better when first popped as the stem/earth quality is stronger. The more air it gets the more the fruit starts to emerge and the more youthful it becomes.
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10/11/2014 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Rhys Tasting With The Gang (My House): Tasted alongside the 2008 Skyline, and for kicks and giggles, the 2007 D'Angerville Champans that I had pulled from the cellar on the fly to join the flight. This 2007 Skyline is dark, intense and tannic with a peppery, stemmy aromatic. And to think this was opened the night before last....shows the structure that is here. Juicy raspberry and strawberry fruit. And an interesting note, one I have not previously cited for pinot, there was a tasting marker here that reminded me of the red berry intensity of a really fine shot of espresso. Not the coffee aspect but the deep, roasted berry signature that infuses a good shot. Really caught my attention.
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6/25/2014 - amateurwino Likes this wine: 94 Points
In a flight with 2007 Swan Terrace and Family Farm, I thought the Skyline was showing best in this flight, and by a country mile at that. Although Rhys owner Kevin Harvey has at times analogized Swan Terrace to Chambolle, on this night it’s Skyline that fits the bill in my estimation, showing charming lightness and delicacy on the floral nose and palate, with the slightly tart plummy fruit and acidity bringing me much pleasure. With air, an exotic spice component emerges in the nose, so although I liken this wine first to Chambolle or Volnay first based on body and texture, I wouldn’t quibble with a comparison to Vosne based on the spice. Easily my wine of the night, 94-95 points; I’m not yet allocated Skyline, but will buy all I can when given the chance.
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6/4/2014 - MikeATL wrote: 95 Points
Rhys in Atlanta (Aria, Atlanta, GA): Takes the complexity to another level from the Swans, but it still needs a lot of time to show all it has.
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10/23/2013 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 92 Points
A beautiful Pinot that has lots of upside for sure. Wonderful acidity and already showing some complexity. I loved it.
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3/2/2013 - jbaron wrote: 90 Points
Extraordinary nose that's pulled back to earth a bit by the sharp mouth. The length is good, though, with a lot of dusty fruity notes that include nice structure.
Even so, I found this a hard wine to like in the end. The overwhelmingly harsh mouth did it in.
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8/18/2012 - steffenpelz wrote:
I have to say, the Rhys Skyline wines are my favorites in the Rhys lineup. This wine has striking minerality, depth of fruit, refreshing sappiness, a lipsmacking finish, and a certain spice and autumnal quality. Maybe it's just that I worked up on Skyline Boulevard for 7 years (King's Mountain feels like a second home to me), but this wine is simply unique an unlike any other CA Pinot I have ever had. While I personally don't have the patience to let these rest for 20 years, I can imagine that in 2027, this wine will be drinking otherworldly. Unfortunately, this was my last bottle, but I am grateful I got to drink as much of this as I did. If you can get your hands on this wine, don't hesitate for even a second. This one is special.
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11/3/2011 - t_moderne wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour and followed over two hours. This has an interesting floral bouquet with hint of spice. Lots of milk chocolate and red fruit. Quite an interesting pinot with the milk chocolate flavors. Good acidity. Long, dry finish.
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6/30/2011 - andolini wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured. A bit too cold and first, so flavors were muted. Tart bing cherry and some spice and mineral notes. A few edges and tannins have yet to resolve. Should be better with a few more years of cellaring.
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6/5/2010 - etherscreen wrote:
first time with this vineyard, and i'm a believer! very intriguing spice notes are abundant. red fruited, pure, light weight, awesome balance. i did notice some stems, but that is to be expected in this stage of development. this will be a knockout in 5-10 years time. once again, rhys hits my sweet spot and reminds me why they are the number one holding in my cellar.
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4/12/2010 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 92 Points
Opens with an enticing spice-bazaar scent which has you wondering whether this will behave like a Vosne-Romanee impersonator, but as soon as you taste it the richness of the fruit definitely stops you from thinking Old World. It's not over-the-top but seriously dense and glossy, mostly covering up the slightly edgy tannin. I'm guessing the primary sweetness will recede and turn the wine more transparent over the next year, since that's what the '06s did and that's what this sort of does over a few hours in the decanter, in which the fruit intensity mellows out and lets an iron-like minerality emerge.
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12/18/2009 - jasonh wrote: 92 Points
The Vineyard Lunch Gang Has A FreeForAll - Dec 18, 2009: This was a treat to taste so early on. Served blind and my initial thoughts when more toward Rhone. Something very young and fruity with a grenache base and very light tannin. Once I was told it was pinot I thought oh yeah, Anderson Valley. Well nope but it is my second favorite Cali Pinot area (probably a tie between the two). At this stage the pure fruit as it the front. I got hints of other elements but the primary fruit really lead the charge. I loved the purity. Not sure of how long this will go but it certainly needs 2-4 years. This is big cali pinot done right. Lots of sweet fruit that is not candied.
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12/18/2009 - WetRock wrote:
Friday at Jason's Office (Jason Hagen's office): Nose is dark and rich with a spicy character showing ripe fruits. Rich and dark palate with a juicy quality and more spices. The palate seemed a bit tight overall.
The next night it seemed bigger and a bit more integrated becoming somewhat seamless. I would hold this for a couple years but seemed on the round side so I don't think it's a long termer.
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6/27/2009 - yhn wrote: 93 Points
Nose - intense, savory, iron, white flowers, light resin, shy minty red currants.
Savory, resiny, roasted plum, white floralness. Needs time. Drink '15-'25.
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3/20/2009 - gutt22 wrote:
Tremendous spice profile, with black cherry fruit and a big dose of minerals. Youthful and capricious, with a lot of structure and cherry on the palate. Precocious, you can see the youthfulness of the vineyard. Long finish and, like all the wines, quite a bit of tannin. A-
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