April 19, 2024 - Some soaking up the cork while cellared. Clear, bright-ruby color with hints of amber. Alluring aromatics of fig, both braised and fresh, with hints of red apple skin, along with sandalwood, nutmeg, black tea, brown mushroom and fresh hibiscus. Integrated and resolved on the palate, with refined notes of fig and savory cherry, with a melange of secondary notes - rocky soil, fall foliage, five spice, clove, tea, red florals. Elegant and persistent on the palate, finely rounded, with seamlessly integrated acid and very smooth and resolved tannins, finishing with subtle, dusty red fruit and spice depth, lively and long. In a prime spot, late secondary/early maturity.
April 5, 2024 - Consistent with notes from 2 years ago. Very enjoyable. I liked the 2013 Horseshoe Pinot a little better.
March 3, 2024 - Solid effort from Rhys. Racy nose of black cherry, cola, anise, and even some toasty cardamom. Well-balanced in the mouth with forward minerality mingling with more black cherries and green resin-like notes. These two elements live harmoniously and finish long. Ready to drink but will hold. Fine.
January 1, 2024 - PnP. Medium dark red. Intense dark fruits and spice on the nose. Rich and ripe on the palate with nicely balancing whole cluster herbal notes. Better balance than I have found with some other Rhys Pinots where the whole clusters dominate. This is quite lovely and will certainly age further though the tannins are largely resolved but the intensity is still present.
December 7, 2023 - PnP. Was worried as the cork was wet. Not to worry as it was not flawed. Aromas of red fruit with red cherry, plum, mint, spice and floral . Red cherry, plum, spice, mild herbalness, forest floor and a hint of oak Great balanced with a long finish
November 18, 2023 - somewhat brown on the edge. still quite tannic.
November 12, 2023 - -- popped and poured (first bottle was slightly corked) --
-- tasted blind over 2 – 3 hrs., next to ’14 Alpine Pinot --
-- 375 mL --
NOSE: much “warmer” presentation than the ’14 Alpine, which was tasted blind alongside; some baking spices.
BODY: violet-ruby color of medium depth with slight bricking throughout; medium bodied.
TASTE: 1st bottle had a hint of TCA. This second bottle wasn’t obviously corked, but it did come across as being pretty flat, with hints of leather and flowers. 12.4% alc.; flat; boring; not good.
November 12, 2023 - TCA
November 3, 2023 - Capsule was a bit raised, and the cork was soaked through, but didn't seem to have leaked. Solid pinot noir, thankfully. This definitely needed some time in the glass, and showed quite well. No notes taken.
October 8, 2023 - the nose is still inviting but beyond that it seems to have gone downhill. I'm assuming there was more fruit and acid in earlier years. I saved half of the bottle for day 2 to see what difference that made. Sadly, no real difference other than perhaps a tiny touch of heat at the end of the finish.
It's not "bad"...just not as good as I typically expect from Rhys. I guess I should drink mine before 10 years.