2016 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

From a 375ml bottle. What a great size for a couple of glasses of white wine before moving on to reds. More wineries should produce these and also 500ml. Green gold in color. This is young but already showing a lot. The nose has vanilla and lemon curd. On the palate, great acidity. The lemon curd is strong with lighter vanilla notes. Lovely texture. Long finish. This wine is very food friendly but also will drink well on its own. It should improve over the next few years.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2016

Top Ten California Chardonnays - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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2015 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

Golden, maybe a bit deeper in color, clear and bright. The nose has lemons, lemon drop candies, spice and slight vanilla note. Full bodied with a slightly oily texture. Nice acidity. On the palate, lemons, lemon curd, with vanilla. Long finish. This has more depth and complexity than the 2012 consumed at alongside. It will continue to mature for the next seven to ten years and drink well for another seven to ten after that if well stored. Great on its own, this will work well with pork chops or roasted chicken.

2016 Rhys Alesia Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$45.00USD

From a 375ml bottle. Rhys makes some of the best Chards in California, but this is from purchased fruit and so carries the Alesia name. It does seem like the oak treatment is different as well. This is a sold Chardonnay but not nearly in the class of the Rhys Chards. Light gold/green in color. The nose is nice with minerals, spice, slight lemons and slight lumber. On the palate, the minerals and lumber carry thru. Some lemon. Lean in body with good acidity. This will work with a lots of foods.

2019 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$125.00USD

Always one of the best chardonnay's made anywhere! This vintage is no exception. Light golden in color with slight green hues. The nose is classic Rhys: Vanilla, lemon cream, and slight bakers spices. Full bodied. This was drinking well from the beginning. The palate has lemon cream and vanilla with a touch of spice/oak. Good acidity. Long finish. Delicious. This drinks great on its own and perfect with a Caprese salad. In my experience, these drink well for a few years and then shut down a bit before re-emerging at age eight or so. They drink well for another ten after that.

2014 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$90.00USD

Holy smokes. I love this wine, but this was the best showing for it yet. Light golden/green in color. Lemon cream, vanilla and slight smoke on the nose. On the palate, this has a slightly oily texture which is great. Crisp acidity. The lemon and vanilla come thru over a slight charred wood quality. Deep and complex, this is the most developed bottle I have had although certainly not old. Layers of fruit, wood and char. Long finish. Went great with roasted Shihitto peppers. If this is a glimpse where this is heading then patience will be rewarded but no harm in opening now.

2016 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

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