2018 Rhys, Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains

Rhys Vineyards maintains its estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where it employs organic and biodynamic farming practices to manage its diverse portfolio of high-elevation sites. This wine is made from vines planted in 2004 that reach deep into the 11-to-15-million-year-old Monterey formation of sedimentary shale and limestone. The result is a dense, focused wine that offers clear notes of black cherry, licorice, and earthy mineral undertones, supported by a structured, silky texture. The 2018 vintage provided a long, cool growing season that allowed for slow, even ripening, leading to an exceptionally balanced final profile. This bottle is built for the cellar and will continue to develop complexity over the next decade, though it is already showing its characteristic intensity.