2018 Rhys, Alesia Chardonnay, Anderson Valley

Rhys Vineyards maintains a reputation for high-density, site-specific farming, and this bottling draws from their Bearwallow estate in the Anderson Valley. The wine is made from fruit grown in shallow soils composed of fractured shale, quartz, and sandstone, which help naturally limit vine vigor. In the glass, it displays focused notes of crisp orchard fruit and lemon curd, supported by a distinct, saline minerality and a refined, medium-bodied texture. The 2018 vintage provided the cool growing conditions necessary to develop this balanced profile of bright acidity and concentrated flavor. This is a well-structured selection that is ready to enjoy tonight but possesses the poise to improve in the cellar for several years.