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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.6 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 192 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by VinhoVerde on 4/1/2024 & rated 91 points: Medium red color. Dark fruit , smoked meats bouquet. Dark fruit flavor. Fairly soft and mature. Medium length. (1514 views) | | | Tasted by t_moderne on 2/19/2024 & rated 96 points: Opened and tasted. Then enjoyed with food (grilled lemongrass chicken with rice noodles, in case you were wondering).
Schott Zweisel stemless.
Lovely ruby color.
Beautiful nose of fresh flowers and brown spice. Touch of pine and fresh earth. Petrichor.
Bright red fruit with that spice note and touch of dried orange peel. Elegant and showing grace. Nice acidity that keeps you coming back for more.
Outstanding.
This is what I hoped to find when I started buiying the Rhys pinots many years ago. This lived up to the expectation.
Branded cork with vintage and vineyard.
12.9% abv. (1999 views) | | | Tasted by citizen1 on 12/21/2023 & rated 94 points: Same as last time - incredible bouquet and aroma. Very light. (1932 views) | | | Tasted by L84Dinner on 12/2/2023 & rated 90 points: Nice flavor profile day 1 (3 hour decant) but more open and expressive day 3. (1920 views) | | | Tasted by viniferatu on 11/12/2023: Still quite young, there's some nice meaty, smoky, pine foresty stuff, but it is mainly gloriously fruity. Aromatic, smooth and lively, this speaks of the strong California sun, but it is not hot or flabby, rather poised and fresh, with great balance, complexity and length.... just too young still. It'll be much more interesting when the baby fat has completely melted away, but that may take another 10 years, as it is still quite fruity now. Great stuff. (2210 views) | | | Tasted by EhrlichDY on 10/26/2023: Pop and pour. Unmistakably California with ripe red fruit on the finish but not at all overripe. Earth and mineral notes provide counterpoint. Well balanced and in a great spot right now. Drink now or over the next ten. Excellent Cali Pinot. (2018 views) | | | Tasted by Jahull03 on 10/1/2023: Settled into a nice spot and quite mature (not at all tired, but it’s mellowed and showing wisdom over snappy manic energy). Showing depth, plum, pencil, and a high tone from the acidity which has always been prominent in this wine. My last bottle and no regrets opening now - no idea what this wine morphs into from here, but I loved it young and I loved it now too. (2218 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 8/30/2023 & rated 94 points: As delicious as the last bottle! (2170 views) | | | Tasted by Beezc on 6/17/2023 & rated 95 points: Just a beautiful wine. I feel it’s in a perfect spot. Just starting to get some secondary notes. (2529 views) | | | Tasted by dcwino on 6/4/2023 & rated 93 points: Expressive nose displaying ripe red and black fruit, strawberry, cherry, plum, sous bois, raw button mushroom, cinnamon, allspice and earth. Very good concentration, nicely layered ripe red and black fruit, rich and deeply toned, good acidity, earthy mineral, and a medium to long ripe red and black fruit driven finish. This is entering the second stage of development with a hint of sous bois. (2618 views) | | | Tasted by cubswinws on 6/2/2023 & rated 92 points: Nice pinot drinking well now. Still some freshness though beginning to develop some earth and mushroom notes. Perfect with Copper River salmon. (2522 views) | | | Tasted by MattMauldin on 5/26/2023 & rated 94 points: Decanted. Ruby color with a rust tinge, clearing edges and brightly toned. Expressive aromas of pomegranate & blood orange fruit, hibiscus tea, umami - forest floor & mushroom, smoked paprika & allspice berry spices. Generous flavors of raspberry/pomegranate fruit, succulently expressive with pleasing subtle volatility, along with beautifully integrated secondary depth of foresty earth and exotic spices not unlike the nose. Very elegant through the palate, medium-bodied and seamlessly round, with tangy acid rounded out within the structure and fine integrated tannins, finishing with mouthwatering length of zesty red fruit. Secondary stage, early-peak to peak drinking window. Best Rhys I’ve had. (2318 views) | | | Tasted by 1970winer on 5/23/2023: OWC (2330 views) | | | Tasted by LT98 on 5/9/2023 & rated 92 points: One of the best California pinots I have had in a while. I generally find them too sweet and fruit forward but this was low alcohol, suffused with red berry and floral aromatics. Not over ripe. Balanced on the palate with great length. (2433 views) | | | Tasted by rosenst1 on 4/24/2023 & rated 90 points: PnP - perfect cork and cellared since release at 58 degrees. Medium red with lightening at the rim. Nose is dominated by red fruits, cherry, strawberry and a hint of violets. More red apple and red berry on the palate with a medium to light body feel and a long finish; tannins are largely resolved. To me this lacks complexity and depth; nice wine but nothing special. Perhaps needs more air - will see. (2369 views) | | | Tasted by silton on 4/23/2023 & rated 95 points: In a good place. Pronounced, effusive nose. Red berry fruit, sour cherry, semi-sweet earth, with hints of incense, orange peel, tea and rhubarb. Complex, balanced, medium+ finish with tertiary shroomy/earthy echoes. Glad I held this. (2303 views) | | | Tasted by kingkanu on 4/7/2023: perfectly high toned in a sour red berry register, lovely acidity, starting to develop but at a glacial pace, brilliant aromatics, dried rose petals, cranberry, a touch of young leather, I would love to track this over the next decade or so (2294 views) | | | Tasted by WG Johns@n on 2/5/2023 & rated 94 points: This bottle has come into its own. I only wish I bought a case. This was my 3rd of 5 and will note a major improvement over the prior 2. Excelllent floral bouquet and soil tone aromatics. No signs of bricking. Tannins more or less fully resolved. Prime drinking window and looking forward to watching further positive evolution. (2502 views) | | | Tasted by bgriffi1 on 12/25/2022 & rated 93 points: Amazing depth of flavor with earth tones not typically found in CA PN. Nice floral scents as well. A great wine (2325 views) | | | Tasted by citizen1 on 10/15/2022 & rated 94 points: Lovely perfume - light bouquet. Drinking perfectly right now. (2965 views) | | | Tasted by GrapeScott on 9/29/2022 & rated 92 points: This is in a really nice place right now, and I quite enjoyed it over several nights. I suspect this saw a decent amount of whole cluster, as there is a density and spicy/stemmy notes that complement the bright red fruits and loam notes. This reminds me somewhat of Pommard, a bit rustic and burly but not big or fruity like many CA pinots. Good to go without a decant, fading somewhat by day 3. I bought a case on futures and this is only #3 so I do intend to follow this for the next 5-10 years but I think it may be peaking now. (2694 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 8/10/2022 & rated 94 points: Delicious lively mature cherries, minerals, and forest floor notes on the open nose and layered palate with refreshing acidity on the long finish.
Aging beautifully! (3171 views) | | | Tasted by BHP1994 on 7/30/2022 & rated 93 points: In a great place right now. Red fruited. Super smooth. That Rhys Fruit/floral explosive nose is in full form. Very long finish. Mature but with many more great years ahead of it. But why wait when it’s this delicious? (2887 views) | | | Tasted by jlm on 7/24/2022: The nose is beginning to show some mature, sweet red berry fruit along with some violet-like floral notes. The palate is light to medium weight and silky with nearly fully resolved tannins. Certainly on the more delicate side compared with earlier vintages of Alpine that could be a bit unapproachable when young due to the high amount of stem inclusion. Not sure about the amount stem inclusion here, but those vegetal qualities do not appear and the texture is lovely. This seems to be in a nice place, although I would not be surprised to see it continue to develop with some more age and perhaps show more aromatic complexity. (2929 views) | | | Tasted by Luvwine1 on 7/17/2022 & rated 93 points: Fully mature but no rush, really lovely. (2829 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/25/2015)
(Rhys, Alpine Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Allen Meadows
Burghound, Jan-15, Issue #57
(Rhys Vineyards Pinot Noir - Alpine Vineyard Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Jul/Aug 2014, Issue #52, This Summer’s Fine Lineup of Old School and Neo-Classical American Wines
(Rhys Vineyards “Alpine Vineyard” Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains)) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, May/June 2014, IWC Issue #174
(Rhys Vineyards Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Santa Cruz Mountains – A Study in Terroir (Jul 2014)
(Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Santa Cruz Mountains: California’s Best Kept Secret (Jul 2013)
(Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Burghound and View From the Cellar and Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| 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.Alpine Vineyard On weinlage-infoUSAAmerican 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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