2022 Mt. Pajaro Chardonnay
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2022 Chardonnay Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is high-toned in lemon zest and curd and wet stone, and it’s mineral-driven on the palate and complex with punchy acidity that accentuates a textured, medium-bodied palate that is still developing and should age easily another 10 years, if not more. Sea spray and honeycomb give it a contrasting, yet complementary character that is sure to develop further into intriguing secondary characteristics. Rhys has two estates in California, one in Anderson Valley called Bearwallow and an estate winery and six estate vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its Santa Cruz winery, where organic and dry farming are typical, is set across the fault line from Ridge Monte Bello and Mount Eden. The first commercial release was 2004. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and sparkling wines are all made by winemaker Jeff Brinkman and sold direct, with these ocean-influenced wines considered among the finest in the state.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
My favorite iteration of this wine yet, the 2022 Chardonnay Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is coiled yet eager to unwind, palpably displaying a blazingly intense mineral nature simmering just under the surface. The nose introduces a live-wire, electric palate with just enough balancing richness to avoid sharpness, becoming even more lively and dexterous with further aeration. The finish is weightlessly intense and chock-full of lifted, oceanic intensity. This site is increasingly equally yoked with the more established Alpine and Horseshoe sites, positioning itself to add a third layer to the annual horse race between the two.
The 2022 Chardonnay Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is stellar. Bright and finely cut, the 2022 sizzles with tension, yet is never austere. Lemon peel, slate, crushed rocks, white pepper and mint lend notable aromatic brilliance to this decidedly chiseled, taut Chardonnay. The long, saline-drenched finish is remarkable in its beauty, sustain and definition. This may very well be my favorite Rhys wine in 2022! It's that great. - Antonio Galloni