2020 Mt. Pajaro Chardonnay
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Due to the destructive wildfires of this vintage, the 2020 Chardonnay Mt. Pajaro Vineyard was the sole single-site Rhys Chardonnay produced from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Despite the difficulties of the vintage, this wine is a solid showing of the newest planting in the winery's single-vineyard quiver. The nose is shy at first, with aromas of yellow apple skin, crème fraîche and chalk appearing with time in the glass. The palate is elegant and polished with great length on the finish. It is immediately enjoyable and relatively easygoing compared to the typical style of Rhys Chardonnays.
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Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Chardonnay Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is another fine effort from winemaker Jeff Brinkman and his team in what was a brutally hard year. A wine of dimension and nuance, the Mt. Pajaro Chardonnay offers good focus and cut. Savory and mineral notes dominate, while fruit is pushed into the background. There's real weight and plenty of substance too, within the context of the year, naturally. (AG)