- Practicing Biodynamic
- 100% Chardonnay
- Sourced from Mt. Pajaro, Alpine and Horseshoe (all Santa Cruz Mountain AVA)
- Elevations ranging from 717′-1400′. The clones are Hyde, Old Wente and Mt. Eden
- Various soil types such as Pursisima Shale, Decomposed Butano Sandstone and Monterey formation with intermingled limestone
- Hand-harvested
- Native yeast fermentation
- Whole clusters are pressed in barrel where it is fermented
- Aged 12 months in 15% new French oak and 6 months in stainless steel
- 12% ABV
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2021
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
Santa Cruz Mountains
Variety:
Chardonnay
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Practicing Biodynamic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | US-RHY-11-21 | 12/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Decanter
Score
94
Date
2024-08-07
"A beautifully elegant Chardonnay comes from the high Santa Cruz Mountains vineyard of Mt Pajaro. The aromatic profile is classic. Pretty stone notes follow a concentration of honeyed floral suggestions. While smoked citrus peel and sea spray all play a part. The well-knit palate offers sappy lemon cream notes, citrus pith, and candied orange peel. Still, its crystalline beauty and elegance lie in the filigreed mineral character, petrichor, crushed chalk and wet limestone. Energetic and lively while also fine and delicate."
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
93
Date
2024-06-28
"I love the nose on the 2021 Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, which feels lifted and briny with aromas of wildflowers, white peaches, honeycomb, and candle smoke. A blend of three vineyards, it's medium-bodied to full-bodied and rounded through the midpalate, with a silky mouthfeel and a long, savory finish. As with the Anderson Valley Chard, this is going to drink well now or over the coming 6-7 years, and it's a great value."
VinePair
Score
94
Date
2024-05-02
"This bottle from the Santa Cruz Mountains has a wonderful toasted oak nose with subtle fruit. That toasted aroma carries to the palate, with the perfect balance of fruit and oak. It's refreshing and focused."
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2023-11-06
"The 2021 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a gorgeous appellation level wine, and also a wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring, unlike most of the 2021s. Lemon confit, marzipan, dried flowers and chamomile all grace this soft, open-knit Chardonnay from Rhys. Bright saline notes extend the super-expressive finish. Terrific."
Wine Spectator
Score
92
Date
2024-04-16
"Bright and distinctive, with notes of tangerine, orange blossoms and lemon curd that show a hint of toasted sesame. Offers aromatic details of fennel, nutmeg and dried ginger, with a note of sea spray and a long, expressive finish. Drink now. 1,200 cases made.‡M.W."