Mt Pajaro Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2020
This picks up the mineral line of the Chardonnay, a seam of crisp shale-like stoniness. On the nose aromas of the forest, bay and black tea garland darker fruit and wild flowers. There’s more energy, acidity and freshness than the appellation bottling, while the flavours are more complex and the fine tailored finish returns. Dark berry fruit, a touch of black raspberry, wild cherry, rosehip. Typically supple Rhys tannins support, touches of sweet polished earth, and a fine salty note on the finish. V good.
critic reviews
Due to the destructive wildfires of the season, the 2020 Pinot Noir Mt. Pajaro Vineyard was the only vineyard-designated Pinot Noir Rhys produced. Planted with high-density spacing in the southern section of the Santa Cruz Mountains near Corralitos, this area was spared the devastation that occurred elsewhere in the region. The nose is fragrant and perfumed, with aromas of raspberries, lilacs, cigar box and turned earth. Silky, seamless and medium-bodied, the palate explodes with decadent fruit, high-toned acidity and tight, fine-grained tannins. While the intense power and upright posture of the Rhys Pinot Noirs are on display, this is considerably more approachable than their more dramatic offerings.