2007 Rhys Pinot Noir Swan Terrace

Pale violet color. Drop-dead gorgeous aromas of raspberry, potpourri, Asian spices and minerals, with a strong undercurrent of white pepper and mocha; this smells like a Dujac Echezeaux, from a serious vintage. Sweet red and dark berry flavors display liqueur-like depth, tangy minerality giving the wine verve. The mineral note dominates the long, spicy finish, which echoes the red fruit and floral notes. It's hard to find this level of precision, depth and drive outside the high-rent districts of Chambolle. (ST)

From their vineyard known as the Swan Terrace, there are 150 cases of the Rhys 2007 Pinot Noir Swan Terrace. Again, this has that almost liqueur of mineral characteristic intermixed with red and black fruits and a Musigny-like floral, rocky character to the flavors. Tart, tightly knit, with outstanding weight, the wine is intellectually challenging, but very promising Pinot Noir that looks set for an exceptionally long life. (Not yet released ) 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