2018 Alpine Hillside Pinot Noir
Prezzo di mercato
Opzioni di acquisto
Note di degustazione
One would be hard-pressed to find a more serious and captivating duo of California Pinot Noirs than Rhys's Hillside bottlings. The 2018 Pinot Noir Alpine Hillside Vineyard begins more aromatically reticent than its Horseshoe counterpart but unveils forest floor, thyme, black cherry and blood orange after time in the glass. The palate echoes the striking intensity and assertiveness of the regular bottling but does so on quicker, more agile footing. The finish is taught and robust with a pleasing streak of acidity propping up persistent, powerful tannins. This is still years away from showing a glimpse beyond its primary phase, and it will be an inspiring pleasure to watch over the next two decades.
Punteggi della critica
Punteggio medio
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
Altre recensioni e punteggi
Comes from the steepest 2.25 acres (0.91 ha) of Alpine Vineyard, with south-facing slopes approaching 40% at an elevation of 1,600 feet (490 m) above sea level. The vineyards soils range from 6 to 18 inches (15 to 46 cm) of topsoil above the soft, flaky Pursima shale formation. Intense aromas of raspberry and raspberry leaf are tinged with floral notes. Silky, and frankly gorgeous, flavours of raspberry and candied lavender mix with dusty soil and hints of cranberry relish. Dried fennel seed notes linger in the finish with faint but muscular tannins. Incredible depth, persistence and complexity here. A phenomenal wine. (AY)
The tiny production 2018 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard Hillside comes from a tiny 2.25-acre parcel in the Alpine Vineyard and is from a massale selection of heritage clones. Aged in a mix of new and used French oak, it has a gorgeous, Burgundian bouquet of red and black fruits, potpourri, sous bois, spice box, and dried flowers. It's not the biggest or richest wine in the lineup, yet it's perfectly balanced, has a thrilling texture, ample mid-palate depth, and flawlessly integrated tannins, fruit, and acidity. The Vosne-Romanée of California? This incredible, magical Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir builds with time in the glass and is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and blow you away over the following decade or more. Hats off to the team at Rhys for making one of the greatest Pinot Noirs from California I’ve ever tasted!
The 2018 Alpine Hillside is a dark, unctuous wine. Black cherry, plum, licorice, menthol and gravel infuse the 2018 with tremendous depth and concentration. Powerful and resonant in the glass, the Alpine Hillside is a Pinot built on creaminess and density, with a touch of whole cluster savoriness that balances things out nicely. The tannins need time so soften, but there is a lot to like.