Alesia, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir, 2016
As of the 2016 vintage, the Alessia range comes entirely Rhys owned vineyards and as a result both wines saw a major leap in quality in 2016. In effect, Alessia is the wine that allows Jeff and Kevin to dial in their single vineyards, so the quality to price aspect here is superb. Production is as kid-gloves and transparent as for all the Rhys wines – here 25% new French oak and 25% whole bunch. A crisp, inviting, pure mountain Pinot, a large percentage of which comes from the excellent Parajo vineyard.
critic reviews
The 2016 Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a terrific appellation-level wine. Lifted and gracious, with terrific energy and cut, the 2016 is super-expressive today. Bright red cherry, orange peel, mint and chalky notes give the 2016 is attractive aromatic top notes to play off the wine's energetic personality. The 2016 includes all the fruit from Rhys's new Mt. Pajaro vineyard.