Producer | Rhys Vineyards |
Country | United States |
Region | California |
Subregion | Anderson Valley |
Varietal | Pinot Noir |
Vintage | 2017 |
Sku | 12017428 |
Size | 750ml |
I’ve got to admit that we must be a major frustration for many of our suppliers. Witness a box of a dozen California and Oregon Pinot Noir samples brought in for us to taste and consider for purchase. Just one made the cut, that’s how particular we are about the wines we stock.
But that one wine is an absolute winner! Rhys winery, located in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains of California, produces some of the best Pinot Noir outside the hallowed vineyards of Burgundy. Their single vineyard wines have racked up dozens of 97-99 point reviews from the key members of the wine press, the problem is they will set you back $100-$150 per bottle and up.
But today’s offer of their delicious 2017 Anderson Valley cuvee is an absolute steal! With ample bottle age to have hints of complex secondary aromas and flavors, yet still retaining plenty of youthful, bright red cherry tinged fruit, it is in a perfect place to drink now and over the next year or two.
The average online retail price of this wine is $48, and frankly it is worth every penny. The only problem is that there are only around a dozen cases available, then it’s gone for good Cheers! Chris Cree, MW
This is 100% Pinot Noir from the Bearwallow Vineyard (Anderson Valley AVA), a beautiful site planted with Rhys Selection Massale Pinot Noir. The vineyard is at elevations from 300′-600′ on Wolfey-Bearwallow Series soil with 10”-25” topsoil over deep fractured shale.
The grapes are biodynamically farmed and hand-harvested, with native yeast fermentations. Five percent whole cluster grapes go through a five day cold soak before fermentation begins, and the wine is foot trodden twice a day during fermentation. It’s aged 18 months in 10% new French oak, 15 of those months the wine is aged on the lees. Don’t miss it!