Porcupine Hill, Pinot Noir, 2016

Name: Porcupine Hill, Pinot Noir
Brand: Rhys Vineyards
Price: 121.15 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2016 2018 2019 2022

justerini & brooks tasting note

Porcupine Hill represents a specific high performing block from the Rhys Bearwallow vineyard up in the Anderson Valley. There is essentially no new wood on this cuvee, and just 8-10% whole cluster fermentation. The spice and earth notes combine with dark berry and wild flowers and this deep, resonant Pinot Noir. There is a concentration here, though not at the sacrifice of deftness as polished dark earth notes mingle with sweet black berries. The finish betrays that Bearwallow sting that the vineyard is known for, this fascinating textural peacocks tail that gives a piquantly mineral shape to the finish.

critic reviews

93/100Antonio Galloni,Vinous

The 2016 Pinot Noir Bearwallow Vineyard Porcupine Hill offers terrific depth and textural resonance in its dark cherry and plum fruit. Today, the difference between the two Bearwallow Pinots is not large. The Porcupine Hill offers a bit more depth and overall structure than the straight Porcupine Hill.

DRINKING WINDOW 2020 - 2031

date of review 08/2018

94/100William Kelley,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Derived from a section of the vineyard where the vines are planted at such high density that the stakes resembled the quills of a porcupine, the 2016 Pinot Noir Porcupine Hill Bearwallow Vineyard is very attractive, revealing a more brooding and sapid bouquet than the regular Bearwallow bottling. Offering up aromas of plums, wild berries, dark chocolate and incipient coniferous floor, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with more concentration and amplitude than the regular Bearwallow, underpinned by bright acids and concluding with a stony, precise finish.

DRINKING WINDOW 2021 - 2037

date of review 05/2018