“Some of the top Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays coming out of California today”
Jeb Dunnock
"The wines are extraordinary. Not only are they one of the finest examples of Pinot Noir anywhere, but the full scope of their power and eloquence is recognizable primarily to those who have sampled the very best of Burgundy's grands crus. The wines aren't just great; they're significant."
Jon Bonné
“Proprietor Kevin Harvey and winemaker Jeff Brinkman continue to up their game at Rhys… As readers will see, the 2019s are positively stellar across the board”
Antonio Galloni
It's no secret that Rhys are producing some of the finest expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir not just from the USA, but the world.
As long-time followers and collectors of their wines we are delighted to be able to offer their newest vintage; the "positively stellar" 2019s. These wines have received rave reviews from the critics and fully deserve a place in the cellars of the worlds great wine-lovers.
For their quality, value and essence of place all of the Rhys bottlings come highly recommended. If you haven't already discovered them we very much encourage you to do so.
As new releases these wines will arrive in the UK in late 2022.
For those who can't wait we can offer a variety of back-vintages
2019 Alesia Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
“The 2019 Chardonnay Alesia (Santa Cruz Mountains) is gorgeous. Bright, floral and translucent, the 2019 is impeccably polished from start to finish. Lemon peel, white flowers and crushed rocks give this appellation level Chardonnay tons of class. It is one of the overachievers in this range.”
91 Antonio Galloni
10 cases (6x75cl) at £180 IB
2019 Mt Pajaro Chardonnay
“The 2019 Chardonnay Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is magical. Slate, crushed rocks, white pepper and a very light touch of reduction give the 2019 its utterly captivating bouquet. Bright and vibrant, but with gorgeous mid-palate depth, the Mt. Pajaro Chardonnay is simply fabulous. This is Rhys’s first high-density Chardonnay planting, and probably won’t be the last.”
95 Antonio Galloni
6 cases (6x75cl) at £375 IB
2019 Horseshoe Chardonnay
“The 2019 Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard is laced with the essence of crushed rocks, white pepper, orchard fruit, white flowers, chalk and mint. It is a bit less forthcoming than the Alpine Chardonnay. Saline notes build into the palate staining finish. This classically austere young Chardonnay just needs time in bottle. Tasted next to the Alpine, the Horseshoe has more mid-palate weight and feeling of phenolic intensity. The differences between the two are remarkable considering the sites are just 400 yards apart. The Horseshoe is planted on Monterey shale, while the soils at Alpine are Purisima, a formation that is about 8 million years younger. Such is the complexity of the Santa Cruz Mountains.”
96 Antonio Galloni
6 cases (12x50cl) at £650 IB
*****************
2019 Alesia Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Alesia (Santa Cruz Mountains) is an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years, give or take. Succulent red cherry fruit, mint, spice and blood orange are nicely pushed forward in this attractive, supple Pinot from Rhys.”
89 Antonio Galloni
10 cases (6x75cl) at £195 IB
2019 Family Farm Pinot Noir
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Family Farm is bright, forward and seductive, as it so often is. Sweet floral aromatics meld into a core of red/purplish berry fruit, blood orange and star anise. In 2019, the Family Farm has an exotic quality that is hugely appealing. The 2019 was done with all destemmed fruit (a first for this wine) and aged mostly in neutral oak.”
94 Antonio Galloni
6 cases (6x75cl) at £295 IB
2019 Bearwallow Pinot Noir
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Bearwallow Vineyard is a powerful, searing wine. I am not sure I have tasted a Bearwallow with this much sheer intensity. Black cherry, mocha, gravel, cloves and licorice imbue this somber, backward Pinot with quite a bit of complexity. Readers should be in no rush here. The 2019 is an exceptional Bearwallow.”
96+ Antonio Galloni
5 cases (6x75cl) at £375 IB
2019 Alpine Pinot Noir
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is a wine of nearly indescribable finesse. The sweet floral and savory bouquet alone is so enticing. Bright beams of minerality give the 2019 a feeling of energy that builds with time in the glass. The Alpine is not terribly forthcoming today, but it is clearly a long distance runner. Give it time in bottle. The 15% whole clusters are nicely integrated.”
96 Antonio Galloni
6 cases (6x75cl) at £490 IB
2019 Horseshoe Pinot Noir
The 2019 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard is one of the most powerful, structured wines in this lineup. It has so much to offer, but very clearly needs quiet a bit of time. Strong mineral and savory accents drive the balance today. Crushed rocks, tobacco, cedar and earthy notes are very much in the foreground, while the fruit appears quite reticent at this stage. The Horseshoe was done with fully destemmed fruit and yet it is quite closed. I can hardly wait to taste it with some time in bottle.
96 Antonio Galloni
10 cases (6x75cl) at £490 IB
2019 Mt Pajaro Pinot Noir
The 2019 Pinot Noir Mt. Pajaro Vineyard emerges from a site in the southern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains and therefore has a completely different personality than the rest of the other SCM wines in the range. Here the flavors are darker while the tannins are more incisive. Black cherry, plum, licorice, cloves and gravel infuse this brooding, muscular Pinot with tons of complexity.
96 Antonio Galloni
6 cases (6x75cl) at £375 IB
2019 Swan Terrace Pinot Noir
The 2019 Pinot Noir Swan Terrace emerges from 1.5-acre parcel in Alpine planted with the Swan clone of Pinot Noir. It is, as always, distinguished by bright, red-toned fruit. In 2019, the Swan Terrace has a bit more tannic grip than is often the case, mostly a reflection of a cooler year. That won’t be an issue in time, but it does rob the wine of some of the charm it often has in its youth. The 100% whole clusters are not especially evident, as all the elements are so harmonious in their balance.
95 Antonio Galloni
4 cases (6x75cl) at £650 IB
2019 Skyline Pinot Noir
Soaring floral and spice notes open effortlessly in the 2019 Pinot Noir Skyline Vineyard. Rose petal, pomegranate, mint, blood orange and cinnamon all grace this classy, mid-weight Pinot from Rhys. The Skyline is another wine that is all about understatement. Here, too, the whole clusters (100%) are not especially evident.
95 Antonio Galloni
4 cases (6x75cl) at £695 IB