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2017 Rhys Mt. Pajaro Vineyard Chardonnay, 500ml

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

June 23, 2024 - $23

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RATINGS

93+ Jeb Dunnuck

...beautiful purity and precision in its citrus blossom, salty minerality, and white flower-driven aromas and flavors...nicely textured, beautifully balanced Chardonnay.

92The Wine Advocate

...delicate notions of orange blossom, warm hay, spring honey, pie crust and hints of baking spice with loads of ripe orchard and peachy fruit at the core, plus stone and creamy notions. Light to medium-bodied, it's intense, lively and minerally in the mouth with juicy acidity and a long, refreshing finish.

92Vinous / IWC

...soft, supple and engaging, with lovely tangerine peel, almond, dried flower and herb notes. This level of complexity is just remarkable for a wine from young vines in its first commercial release.

PRODUCER

Rhys

Rhys Vineyards is a Santa Cruz maker of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The estate is owned by Kevin Harvey, who has vineyards in several sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Rhys Vineyards also makes a few wines under the Alesia label that come from grapes purchased in the Sonoma Coast and in the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is the Rhys Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, however, that have made the small estate into something of a cult producer of California wines with Burgundian appeal. Both the Pinots and Chardonnays regularly earn high ratings from reviewers. The wines are generally available through mailing lists.

REGION

United States, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA includes high elevation territory in the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo. The AVA follows the coast line from San Francisco to Monterey with elevations from 400 feet to 3,000 feet above sea level. There are 1,500 vineyard acres and the AVA was established in 1981. Despite the challenging terrain in these rugged mountains and hills, highly esteemed wineries have been located here since the early 20th century, when Paul Masson, a Frenchman by birth, started making sparkling wine in the area. By the 1970s vineyards were growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Numerous microclimates within the AVA offer viticulturists diverse growing conditions, and many varietals are grown successfully.

TYPE

White Wine, Chardonnay

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.