It's no secret that Rhys are producing some of the finest expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir not just from the USA, but the world.
Antonio Galloni, of Vinous.com, tasted thousands of wines during the course of 2023 yet when it came to choosing his Winery Of The Year he selected Rhys Vineyards, describing their 2021s as "brilliant... tremendous... wines that capture a pinnacle of achievement for the work that has gone into making Rhys one of California’s most highly regarded wineries."
As long-time followers and collectors of their wines we are delighted to be able to offer their newest vintage; the "off the charts" 2021s. With maturing vineyards, no-expenses-spared innovation in the winery, these site-specific cuvées are arguably the greatest ever to come out of the Rhys cellars. We whole-heartedly believe these wines deserve a place in the greatest of collections and cellars.
For their quality, value and essence of place all of the Rhys bottlings come highly recommended. If you haven't already discovered them we very much encourage you to do so.
We have just five cases of each wine available so please get in touch asap, either via email or an online order, to secure your cases.
2021 Alpine Chardonnay
£460 IB per 6x75cl
The 2021 Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard is so strikingly different from the Horseshoe. It offers tremendous concentration and pure power, a sort of seamless intensity that builds and then carries through to its substantial, resonant finish. Citrus confit, dried flowers, mint and chamomile linger. What a wine. 2035-2032
98 Antonio Galloni
2021 Horeshoe Chardonnay
£460 IB per 6x75cl
The 2021 Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard is a powerful, explosive white that demands patience. Crushed rocks, lemon peel, white flowers, mint and slate race across the palate, making a strong first impression. A huge mid-palate of fruit lies beyond, just waiting to unfurl. This tightly-coiled, mineral-drenched Chardonnay will be superb, in a few years' time. 2025-2032.
97 Antonio Galloni
2021 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
£180 IB per 6x75cl
The 2021 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a gorgeous appellation level wine, and also a wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring, unlike most of the 2021s. Lemon confit, marzipan, dried flowers and chamomile all grace this soft, open-knit Chardonnay from Rhys. Bright saline notes extend the super-expressive finish. Terrific.2023-2029.
92 Antonio Galloni
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2021 Alpine Pinot Noir
£460 IB per 6x75cl
Density and power are the calling cards in the 2021 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard. This embryonic Pinot is going to need time to really blossom, but it is so impressive today. Kirsch, tobacco, cinnamon, dried herbs and spice open with coaxing. As is so often the case, the Alpine has an aromatic profile that recalls one of the great vineyards in Vosne-Romanée. I love its exotic beauty. 2026-2036.
98 Antonio Galloni
2021 Bearwallow Pinot Noir
£360 IB per 6x75cl
The 2021 Pinot Noir Bearwallow Vineyard is a powerful, somber wine in its first impression. Black fruit, spice, tobacco, charcoal embers and graphite infuse the 2021 with tons of gravitas. A Pinot of imposing depth and structure, the Bearwallow is incredibly impressive in the early going. Extended aeration brings out the wine's inner sweetness and perfume, along with a more refined dimension that is not apparent initially. The Anderson Valley Pinots have always played second fiddle to the Santa Cruz Mountains bottlings within this range, but that is starting to change. 2026-2036.
96 Antonio Galloni
2021 Family Farm Pinot Noir
£310 IB per 6x75cl
The 2021 Pinot Noir Family Farm is a wine of pure and total sensuality. Silky, aromatic and elegant, the 2021 is immediately captivating. Crushed rose petal, succulent red berry fruit, cinnamon, dried leaves and pipe tobacco soar out of the glass. This is another Pinot where the fruit is quite buried today, but all the elements are so well put together, making the Family Farm one of the more approachable wines in the range. Deeper, clay soils yield a Pinot with super-elegant tannins. 2026-2036.
96 Antonio Galloni
2021 Horseshoe Pinot Noir
£460 IB per 6x75cl
The 2021 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard is redolent of macerated cherry, spice, tobacco, cedar, dried leaves, orange peel and a kiss of French oak. High-toned and sensual, the 2021 is quite open today, especially in its bouquet, but it also has the energy and overall structure to age. 2026-2036.
96 Antonio Galloni
2021 Santa Cruz Mountians Pinot Noir
£180 IB per 6x75cl
The 2021 Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) is another terrific appellation-level wine in this range. Bold, racy and succulent, the 2021 shows the more forward personality of the year. Ripe red cherry/plum fruit, spice, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco are nicely pushed forward in this open-knit, alluring Pinot. Best of all, the 2021 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. 2023-2031
92 Antonio Galloni
2019 Skyline Pinot Noir
£750 IB per 6x75cl
Soaring floral and spice notes open effortlessly in the 2019 Pinot Noir Skyline Vineyard. Rose petal, pomegranate, mint, blood orange and cinnamon all grace this classy, mid-weight Pinot from Rhys. The Skyline is another wine that is all about understatement. Here, too, the whole clusters (100%) are not especially evident. 2024-2039.
95 Antonio Galloni
Arriving in the UK early summer of 2024
For those who want older vintages we can offer a variety of Rhys' earlier offerings here