2009 Rhys Horseshoe Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $69. Rhys selections and two heritage clones of Pinot Noir planted in 2004 on 10.85 acres. The defining feature of this vineyard is its intensely rocky soil composed of sedimentary Monterey shale. Elevation is 1,400 to 1,600 feet. All Pinot Noir at Rhys is fermented with native yeast, and aging is carried our in the finest French oak barrels that have been air dried for four full years in Burgundy. The consistency of the barrels implies that the wines are differentiated entirely by the vineyard and not by the barrel. The Pinot Noir wines are typically aged 18 months in barrel. The wines are never fined or filtered.

Note: Eleven years later, Horseshoe Vineyard is considered by the team at Rhys to be “one of the finest sites in California to grow Pinot Noir. The vineyard also produces Chardonnay that is “a stunning example of New World terroir….tremendously complex and invigorating wines. The 2018 vintage of Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is now available as a futures order. Rhys wines are sold exclusively through a mailing list at www.rhysvineyards.com. The winery’s website is one of the most informative I have ever encountered.

· Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose offers aromas of dark berries and cassis with a floral element prominent. The mid weight flavors of blackberry and black cherry are graciously in harmony with the wine’s lacy tannins and steely acidity. This wine is now drinking at its peak and it was only by fate that I decided to open the bottle at its apogee. I wish I had more. Score: 95. Reviewed May 25, 2020

Winery: Rhys Vineyards
From article: Recent Pinot Noir Wines I Have Enjoyed