Practicing Biodynamic • 100% Chardonnay • Bearwallow Vineyard (Anderson Valley AVA) • Elevation is 300′-600′ and the clones are Hyde, Old Wente and Dijon • The soil is Bearwallow-Wolfey topsoils that range from 10″-25″. Below that is Franciscan Complex, fractured shale, quartz an sandstone • Hand-harvested • Native yeast fermentation • Whole cluster pressed into barrel for fermentation • Aged 12 months in 15% new French oak and then 6 months in stainless steel • 12.5% ABV
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2019
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
Anderson Valley
Variety:
Chardonnay
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Practicing Biodynamic
Sizes Available
| Half Bottle | US-RHY-30-19H | 12/375ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
93+
Date
2024-04-18
"The 2019 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard leads with a floral, fresh nose of white flowers, citrus blossom, yellow orchard fruits and macadamia nuts. The palate is medium-bodied, tastefully rich and lined with cleansing acidity that leads to a refreshing, balanced and refined finish. This is lovely now and offers a beautiful starting point into the stellar array of the Rhys vineyard-designate Chardonnays."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2021
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
94
Date
2024-06-28
"A pale silver/straw color, the 2021 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard suggests how things can move to the next level with the single vineyard wines, offering expressive aromas of grapefruit zest, the high-toned energy of green apple, citrus blossoms, and white pepper spices, Expressing the elegance of this vineyard, it's medium-bodied and graceful on the palate, with a long, elegant, mouthwatering finish. It's a linear, very pretty wine to drink 2025-2037."
2018
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2020-01-01
"The 2018 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard is endowed with tremendous poise and balance. Light tropical notes, marzipan and lemon oil open up first in a Chardonnay loaded with character. Bright acids play off a creamy expression of fruit. Rich and textured yet also light on its feet, the Bearwallow Chardonnay has a ton to offer. It is another brilliant wine in this lineup from Rhys."
2018
Wine Advocate
Score
93+
Date
2024-04-18
"The 2018 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard combines crystalline orchard fruit and flower aromas with deft touches of creamy concentration that add dimension and depth. The palate is full-bodied and glossy without losing delineation, and the acid structure lends refreshing length to the nuanced, balanced finish. Lovely and approachable throughout, this is a Chardonnay to enjoy while the Alpine and Horseshoe bottlings come into themselves."
2018
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
92+
Date
2020-09-09
"Coming from a site in the Anderson Valley, the 2018 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard shows its normal Burgundian style and has a gorgeous perfume of crushed citrus, lemon curd, white flowers, and salty minerality. Complex and nuanced aromatically, it hits the palate with a racy, steely texture that carries good concentration and mid-palate density, bright acidity, and a saliva-inducing finish. As with the 2017, it needs a solid 3-4 years of bottle age and should drink nicely over the following decade or more."
2017
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
94
Date
2019-10-31
2017
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2019-06-01
2017
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
2020-02-06
2016
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2018-05-31
2016
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
93
Date
2019-02-14
2016
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2018-06-01
2015
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
94
Date
2015
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2018-05-31
2015
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2017-08-01