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2022 Rhys Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased direct from winery; Consignor is original owner

7 available
Bid *
Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

95James Suckling

Wow, a vivid, mouthwatering white with great breadth and depth on a surprisingly light body. So layered, rich and concentrated, lush in texture yet also lively and buoyant from acidity at the same time. Starts with lemon blossom aromas, then Bosc pears, lemon curd and mineral flavors that linger in the finish.

94The Wine Advocate

...nose opens on a delicate note, continuously gaining mineral intensity and floral accents over a sturdy core of green and yellow fruits...palate is beautifully focused and pure, with a layered, multidimensional finish and impressive length and structure.

92Wine Spectator

Sleek and precise, with pear, Honeycrisp apple and lemon zest flavors, plus notes of orange zest and tangerine, all on a mouthwatering frame, where the acidity provides an appealing backbone. Crunchy sea salt and dried lemon thyme details linger.

92Vinous / IWC

...generous and inviting...a pretty creamy, resonant style... Lemon confit, marzipan, spice and yellow flowers all build as the 2022 shows off its resonant, ample personality.

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.

VINTAGE

2022 Rhys Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay