Rhys Vineyards, Alesia, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir 2019

Rhys Vineyards, Alesia, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir 2019.jpg
Rhys Vineyards, Alesia, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir 2019.jpg

Rhys Vineyards, Alesia, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir 2019

£39.95

“Twenty years into its existence, Rhys has more than solidified its place at the apex of Pinot Noir production in California. This project's vision, scope and attention to detail are palpable across every aspect of its planning and execution and, most of all, in the finished wines. Through a combination of immaculately farmed, high-density vineyards and obsessive exactitude in the cellar, Rhys creates wines of structure, tenacity and length unparalleled in California. These wines will not be out of place on a table next to intimidating lineups from top Burgundian producers.” - The Wine Advocate


There are several ways of hitting the dance floor. You can walk on and only start strutting your stuff once you reach the middle, you can start throwing shapes from the moment you leave the bar or you can gradually wind it up as you weave through the crowd. What on earth has that got to do with this wine? Fair point. Well, it’s quite a useful metaphor for describing how wineries appear on the scene and Rhys Vineyards didn’t suddenly burst onto the scene, they started dancing way, way back. They’ve been nurturing their vineyards for the last 20 years, gradually increasing the planting density, slowly working the soil until the vines had reached the right age to produce wonderful fruit and now is the time to clear a circle and watch them dance.

Their Alesia 2019 is a beautiful, ethereal Pinot Noir with high-toned, beguiling aromas that float from the surface, seducing with cherry, candied orange peel, pudding spices, raspberry jelly, cedar and cola foam. It’s a hedonistic, delicious wine for drinking now and over the next 8-10 years. 13% alc. Drink now-2032.


Press reviews:

The Wine Advocate: “The 2019 Alesia Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains is a beaming, focused demonstration of Rhys's winemaking style. Aromas of Bing cherry, petrichor and rose petals eagerly waft from the glass. The palate is textural and focused, with an intense, high-toned structure and a long, layered finish. It provides a wonderful platform on which to glimpse the Rhys style without the cellaring necessary for the single-vineyard releases. Drink now-2030.” 93 points

Decanter: “Graceful and inviting aromas of forest fruits, cola and juicy cherry on the nose with dark chocolate, sweet spices. Silky and delicious with wonderful savoury complexity on the finish. Drink now-2028.” 90 points

“Rhys founder Kevin Harvey makes world-class, age-worthy wines that sit confidently next to the iconic bottles that inspired them.” - The Wine Advocate

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