2008 Family Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
An attractively layered and fresh ripe red berry fruit and overtly floral nose offers excellent complexity that continues onto the rich but elegantly rendered medium-bodied flavors that possess a seductive texture and perfect balance on the lingering finish. This should age extremely well as everything is in perfect proportion … That the wines are of very high quality is evident but what is wonderfully refreshing is that the wines are also unique and original. Simply put, they are unlike any other pinots being crafted in California today. I hasten to point out that this is not because their methods are radically different (there are others who use very high percentages of whole cluster ferments along with natural yeasts). No, the difference is straightforward: it is because 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*
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Vivid medium red. Fresh, complex nose melds musky raspberry, blood orange, smoky minerality, brown spices, mocha and underbrush. Firm, gripping and almost weightless but packed with red fruit flavors, picking up a bitter cherry pit quality with air. Finishes very long, sweet and perfumed, with fine-grained tannins and notes of singed orange and Asian spices. Pretty impressive and complex already.
Under the Rhys label, the 2008 Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard (600 cases) reveals a dark ruby color along with lots of pomegranate, red currant, and cherry notes, tart acids, medium to full body, a distinct stemminess (that no doubt comes from 100% whole clusters), and firm, hard tannins in the finish. This cuvee is clearly built for aging, and if my instincts are correct, it will evolve for 10-12 years. (Not yet released) 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