2008 Rhys Vineyards Family Farm Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

12.6% alc., $49. Swan selection, Pommard clone, and Dijon 115 clone planted to 6’ x 6’ at 400 feet on clay loam soil. Yield 2.6 tons per acre. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Demure but pleasing scents of Bing cherries and cardamom spice with hints of minty oak and stem. Relatively delicate flavors of cherries, raspberries and red hard candy with a bright citrus peel note. Delivers more intensity with time in the glass but doesn’t excite. The nose trumps the flavors at this time. More akin to a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. About the same the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. May improve with cellaring. Good. Reviewed January 27, 2011

Winery: Rhys Vineyards
From article: Rhys Vineyards: Three Vintage Tasting