April 20, 2024 - Still a noteworthy tannic backbone on this beauty. Decant for an hour+ if consuming now. In no hurry to consume my remaining two bottles.
March 31, 2024 - Drank at Easter with family. Pretty pinot fruit and spice perfume, red fruited and juicy on the palate with a nice balance and a silky, fine - grained finish. Not fading at all.
March 11, 2024 - Last bottle and turning the corner. Previously needed some time, now PnP. Aromas of tart cherry, cranberry, stems, spice. Similar flavors with tart cherry, cranberry, spice and stems on the palate. Medium acid, good mouth feel. Long smooth finish has really softened. Finally, showing really well.
December 21, 2023 - Very good. I don’t agree it’s past its prime or even that it’s reached its prime. Notes of blood orange / pink grapefruit, strawberries, green stemmy flavors, and oak. The tangy citrus flavors aren’t what I naturally crave, but they provide personality and distinction. I still taste a lot of fruit and not much aged wine flavor, so I think this wine has a long way to go.
December 18, 2023 - Needed a little time to open. Aromas of tart cherry, cranberry, stems, spice. Tart cherry, cranberry, spice and stems on the palate. Medium to high acid. medium body. A shorter finish and the acid shows up in the finish as well. Not a sipping wine, but mellows out with food.
November 23, 2023 - Well the usual crowd was coming for Thanksgiving at my friends house. My wife and I are spared the cooking and the clean up so I bring all the wine. Two magnums of this wine opened 5 hours in advance. The nose is red fruit leading to a palate of red cherry, red plums, hints of strawberry and a little baked apple spice. A really nice wine with a moderately long finish. Went well the Turkey.
November 17, 2023 - This bottle is in a perfect drinking window. Fruit and acid has completely balanced with a great texture on the palate. I wish I had more of these.
September 29, 2023 - Fully mature. Darker fruits and well integrated tannin. Notes of spice and black cherry cola. Concur with several tasters on stem character as well, which settled overnight. I'd drink up here as I personally believe this wine has peaked.
July 29, 2023 - Pop and pour. About 6mo since last btl. The nose shows much softer than I remember, almost faded. On the palate: soft cranberry and spice, acidity seems soft, some whole cluster/stemmy notes, faded on the finish. This showed, to my palate, over-the-hill, but without any interesting secondary notes. Hmm.
February 21, 2023 - Mature, good fruit, would not mistake it for Burgundy, but lovely flavor, long finish, cherry cola, moderate alcohol. No rush but ready to go. These Rhys Pinots take a while.