2008 Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
An exceptionally densely fruited nose that is intensely floral and nuanced with stone, spice and soft earth hints complements to perfection the impressively concentrated medium weight plus flavors that brim with dry extract such that the very firm tannins are rendered almost invisible at present though I suspect that they will become more visible as the baby fat recedes. This broad-scaled effort should age for up to a decade and last several more. Magnificent.The estate wines of Rhys Vineyards are made from biodynamically farmed fruit and owner Kevin Harvey and winemaker Jeff Brinkman continue to drive the wines to new heights...Harvey has chosen his vineyard sites with a keen eye and then obsessively developed them with the one goal of obtaining fruit that expresses unerringly the uniqueness of site. Simply put, these are terroir-driven wines par excellence. *Outstanding*
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Robert Parker
Allen Meadows, Burghound
More reviews and scores
Glass-staining ruby. Assertive, smoky aromas of musky cherry, Indian spices, cocoa powder, rose and licorice, plus a whiff of cured meat. Compellingly velvety and sweet on entry, then brilliantly vibrant and mineral-driven in the mid-palate, with an explosive floral pastille quality lifting the flavors of crushed dark berries and baking spices. The wine's pungent minerality lingers on the long, gently chewy finish. This plays Richebourg to the Swan Terrace's Romanée Saint-Vivant. The crop here was 0.7 tons per acre in 2008. (ST)
From a large 17-acre vineyard, the stunning 2008 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Ranch Vineyard (450 cases) should turn out to be one of the top wines in this portfolio. Raspberry, blueberry, ripe cherry, allspice, herb, and spring flower aromas jump from the glass of this broad, deep, dark ruby/purple-tinged Pinot. Medium to full-bodied with zesty acidity, it does not reveal any stemmy/vegetal elements despite the fact that 100% whole clusters were used during the fermentation. With good acidity, a broad flavor profile, and firm tannins, it will benefit from 2-4 years of cellaring, and should keep for two decades thereafter. This ambitious operation aims to produce world-class wines from tightly-spaced, high elevation, cool climate vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The wines for Rhys’ second label, Alesia, are fashioned from purchased fruit. The commitment to minimal organic and, if possible, biodynamic farming, naturally low yields, and hands-off winemaking are further evidence of the passion this estate possesses. They currently have five vineyards under vine, Alpine, Family Farm, Home Vineyard, Horseshoe Ranch, and Skyline, all of which are situated at high elevations in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The winemaking philosophy appears to be a work in progress, and since there are no older vintages, there is no track record for aging. The wines seem to possess considerable structure, and in their youth, they may only hint at their future potential. Many of these offerings are made in limited quantities of less than 50 cases, with their largest releases being the Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard (about 600 cases), Pinot Noir Horseshoe Ranch (around 450 cases), Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard (550 cases), and the Syrah Horseshoe Ranch (500 cases). I have intentionally kept my tasting notes on the limited production cuvees brief. Tel. (866) 511-1520