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Atlanta Does Rhys Yet Again

Atlas Restaurant, Atlanta, GA

Tasted March 19, 2019 by MikeATL with 185 views

Introduction

A group of us gathered at Atlas for another exploration of Rhys wines and included the Home Vineyard and Syrahs for the first time. Tonight reinforced my lofty opinions of the Horseshoe Chardonnay and Syrah and Skyline Pinot, each of which I consider to be world class. My notes are on the cursory side, as the terrific company drew much of my attention. Special thanks to Atlas for their outstanding food and service.

Each one of these dinners (this was the third) reinforces that the distinct expressions of each of the vineyards outweighs any house style. They also confirm how much joy wine brings when shared with good people.

Flight 1 - Horseshoe Chardonnay (2 notes)

White
2010 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
93 points
Ripe Meyer lemon and minerals with great acidic cut with a tart finish. Outstanding and much fresher than the last bottle I had.
3 people found this helpful Comment
White
2015 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
93 points
Rich but balanced by bracing acidity, almost Burgundian, youthful and it should age well but very drinkable now.
2 people found this helpful Comment

Flight 2 - Home Vineyard Pinot Noir (3 notes)

Red
2007 Rhys Pinot Noir Home Vineyard USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County
91 points
Lean dark cherry with a bit of stems, pretty harmonious.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2008 Rhys Pinot Noir Home Vineyard USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County
91 points
Dark cherry and menthol, very young and tannic, it still needs a good bit of time but should have the stuffing to make it.
Red
2010 Rhys Pinot Noir Home Vineyard USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County
92 points
Red cherry and menthol stems supported by a good bit of fine tannin. Showing more of the stem profile characteristic of Rhys from this era.

Flight 3 - Skyline Vineyard Pinot Noir (3 notes)

The depth and quality of the Skyline Pinots is incredible and distinctive, in some ways more reminiscent of great Oregon Pinot Noirs than of most California versions but ultimately a unique expression of the variety.

Red
2008 Rhys Pinot Noir Skyline Vineyard USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
91 points
Much tighter than the 2012 and 2014, it shows flashes of the same pedigree, with more coming out with air, but it needs more time to fulfill its potential.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2012 Rhys Pinot Noir Skyline Vineyard USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
94 points
Dark cherry with veins of mint, incredible depth and complexity, beautiful acidity, spectacular.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2014 Rhys Pinot Noir Skyline Vineyard USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
94 points
Dark cherry, spice, and a touch of mint, incredibly deep and complex, magnificent and profound.
1 person found this helpful Comment

Flight 4 - 2011 Syrah (2 notes)

I have profound regrets that it took me a while to recognize the level of quality of Rhys Syrahs and the Horseshoe Vineyard versions in particular.

Red
2011 Rhys Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
95 points
Just like a spectacular, old school Côte Rotie from the Côte Brune with pepper and minerals dominating the nose, then olive, pepper, and brambly fruit on the palate, if you want to experience what great Côte Rotie was like on release in the 1990s, this is where to look.
3 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2011 Rhys Syrah Skyline Vineyard USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
91 points
Brambly fruit and a touch of pepper, a good and restrained version of California Syrah, but not in the same class as the Horseshoe.
2 people found this helpful Comment
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