2006 Alpine Hillside Pinot Noir

The top current release of Pinot Noir is undoubtedly the Rhys 2006 Pinot Noir Alpine Hillside (200 cases). An impressive array of black raspberries, blueberries, violets, and crushed rocks soar from the glass of this dark ruby-colored wine. Structured, with moderate tannin, crisp, zesty acidity, and gorgeous purity, this is a sensational Pinot Noir that should evolve for at least a decade or more.. Rhys Vineyards produces very ambitious wines from vines planted in specific sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains. They use their second label, Alesia, for purchased fruit. At the conclusion of my tasting notes, I will list the other wines I tasted but which were all in such microscopic quantities (under 150 cases) that it is almost impossible to latch on to a few bottles unless you are on the mailing list. The vineyards are generally tightly spaced (2 by 3 feet for Pinot Noir and 4 by 3 feet for Syrah), and the clonal selections are multiple in order to hopefully achieve more complexity and nuance. This is an impressive, well thought out operation, believing, certainly with Pinot Noir, in whole clusters, no racking, and a minimal, artisinal approach to winemaking. The yields are naturally very small because of the terroirs, rootstocks, and clones, and the wines are made to age. Tel. (866) 511-1520