2015 Rhys Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard
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Tasting notes
This is the first sparkling wine from Rhys vineyard. From the Bearwallow vineyard and made using the traditional method, the 2015 Blanc de Blancs opens a touch rubbery on the nose, with a core of bruised apples, mushroom, hay and pastry notes from its 30 months tirage (this bottle was disgorged in July 2019). The palate is medium-bodied and dry with finely beaded mousse and savory/toasty character, finishing with just enough freshness.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2015 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard is the most expressive of the vineyard designate Chardonnays today, offering up a pretty nose of crisp green orchard fruit, white flowers, subtle nutmeg and lemon curd. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, bright and intense, with an elegantly textural attack, good concentration and a long, mouthwatering finish. It's not quite as searingly stony as the Horseshoe or Alpine bottlings, but that only lends it additional youthful charm.
The single vineyard release from Anderson Valley is the 2015 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard and it offers more citrus oil, white flowers and lemon characteristics compared to the Anderson Valley release. With building richness, a sensational texture, integrated, yet bright acidity, and a great finish, it’s just another killer Chardonnay from this estate that’s well worth your time and money. Like the Anderson Valley release, it’s far from unapproachable today, yet it will keep for a decade or more. This was a terrific lineup of 2015s from the team at Rhys. Across the board, these are tight and structured, with terrific concentration. Give them a few years of bottle age. Unfortunately, due to the devastating yields, there’s no Skyline Vineyard or Hillside releases in 2015s. In addition, they have a new estate vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains (bringing their total to seven estate vineyards) that will be coming on line over the next couple of years. Named Mount Pajaro Vineyard, the site was planted in 2010 and covers 18 acres in the southern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, planted all with high density, 3.5 feet row spacing. Harvey commented that they’ve learned a lot over the past decade planting their other estate properties and they’re excited about the quality of this site.
A broad, ample wine, the 2015 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard is endowed with lovely textural richness and breadth. Orange peel, tangerine and exotic spice notes are pushed forward, with an attractive hint of reduction that adds character. This is a distinctly oily, creamy style of Chardonnay from Rhys.