Horseshoe Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2021

Name: Horseshoe Vineyard, Pinot Noir
Brand: Rhys Vineyards
Price: 920 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2018 2019 2021 2022

justerini & brooks tasting note

As is the case with the other Pinots in this line up, there’s a real core of structure to the Horseshoe Pinot 2021 – these are wines that are clearly going to repay ageing. Brimming with textbook Horseshoe savoury umami notes, aromatic leather and sweet spice touches over wild soft skinned dark fruits, black tea, pine needle and fresh earth. Following this in the glass it pulls you in two directions, twin elements revealing depth and layering, while also offering more high-toned fruit notes up with every swirl. Yet another magnificent Pinot Noir from Rhys in 2021. We can’t wait to see this with half a decade’s bottle age, and then follow it for the next two decades.

critic reviews

95/100Billy Norris,Vinous

The 2021 Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard is promising, even if it's rather reticent in the early going. Its open-knit, floral bouquet is quite alluring, but on the palate, the 2021 feels like it is still coming together. Bright red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint, pomegranate and blood orange emerge with time in the glass. Elegant and refined, the 2021 offers terrific potential. It is a wine of notable textural depth and resonance. Bright floral and citrus notes extend the grippy finish, where the Syrah character is most evident. I am looking forward to tasting this with a bit of bottle age. - Antonio Galloni

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2036

date of review 10/2024

96/100Matthew Luczy,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Among the impressive array of Rhys estate vineyards, Horseshoe is a centerpiece. The 2021 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard is reticent to unveil its gorgeous, ever-expanding aromas, beginning with pomegranates, cherry blossoms, violets, tarragon and a signature note of cured meat. The palate is equal parts supple, sturdy and giving, exploding into a massive finish of concentrated red fruits, crushed stones, dried flowers and fine but tenacious tannins. This is perennially one of the most impressive Pinot Noirs in California, and it demands five years of cellaring and should improve for two decades beyond that.

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2046

date of review 04/2024