2018 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is darker in color and more aromatically dazzling out of the gate than its Horseshoe counterpart. It offers a captivating, herbal nose of black fruits, garrigue, tree bark and sweet tobacco. The palate is powerful and assertive, springing off the tongue and coating the mouth with elegant dark fruits, fine, persistent tannins and perfectly balanced acidity. The finish is intense yet full of finesse, providing a wonderful juxtaposition to the upfront attack of the palate and intensity of the nose. It is an endlessly fascinating wine on its own, and even more so with the Horseshoe next to it. Given the energy and textural vivacity on display, this should remain in the cellar for another few years to capitalize on this immense potential.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
This 11-acre (4.5-h) vineyard faces primarily south-west and is quite steep, with some sections approaching a 40% slope. 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) of topsoil sits above Purisima shale at an elevation of 1,230 to 1,400 feet (375 to 425 m) above sea level. 483 cases made. Aromas of sweet raspberry and strawberry fruit with a touch of lemon balm. Raspberry and forest-berry pastille flavours mix with exotic herbs and flowers. Faint powdery tannins dust the palate and a faint dashi character lingers in the finish. Impeccably balanced, mouth-watering and totally, commandingly delicious. (AY)
Redcurrants, flowers, chalky minerality, spice, and loamy soil notes all emerge from the 2018 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard, which is medium-bodied and has a supple, elegant texture, no hard edges, and a great finish. It shows more and more minerality with time in the glass and is a classic expression of this steep, southwest-facing vineyard. It has plenty of upfront charm and accessibility yet still has ample underlying tannins. My money is on it benefiting from 2-3 years of bottle age and evolving nicely for a solid decade.
The 2018 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard opens with striking, floral-infused aromatics that give the wine presence and structure. Savory and finely cut, with superb delineation, and tons of depth, the Alpine is positively stellar today. Layers of fruit enshroud the tannins, making them barely perceptible. The 2018 is a stunning Pinot from Alpine, a site originally planted with 17 heritage clones.