- Practicing Biodynamic
- 100% Chenin Blanc
- Mt. Pajaro (Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
- Elevation 860ft
- Aspect: South
- Slope: 20.3%
- Soil: Brown and black shale and sandstone – 12”-18” rocky topsoil
- Whole cluster pressed • Fermented in 50% stainless/50% seasoned oak for twelve months, then to stainless steel tank for eight months sur lie
- 100% ML
- 3 barrels(225L) produced
- Alc 13.8%
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2021
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
Santa Cruz Mountains
Variety:
Chenin Blanc
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Practicing Biodynamic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | US-RHY-70-21 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2023-09-01
"The 2021 Chenin Blanc Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is fabulous. It offers a compelling mix of varietal and site character. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper, chalk, citrus and bright saline notes abound. A wine of crystalline purity and tension, the 2021 bristles with character. I loved it."
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
93
Date
2024-06-28
"The 2021 Chenin Blanc Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is a bright straw/yellow color. Flinty and bright, it's pure and lifted with aromas of white flowers, green pear, chive, and resinous earth. Medium-bodied, with a silky texture, it has a nice snap of fresh acidity on the finish. A very pure expression of Chenin that's refreshing to see, it's very well done. It's delicious now, but readers shouldn't be in a hurry to open these bottles."
Wine Enthusiast
Score
93
Date
2023-11-01
"Delicate aromas of Asian pear, lemongrass, lemon blossom and a hint of wool show on the nose of this bottling from the winery's newest vineyard, near Corralitos. A focused line of acidity cuts through the rounded pear and nectarine flavors."
Wine Advocate
Score
91+
Date
2024-04-18
"With each successive vintage, the Chenin Blanc at Mt. Pajaro gains a layer of interest, but patience is necessary, as with most of the Rhys range. The nose of the 2021 Chenin Blanc Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is tropical and flashy, with orange peel, honey and tangerine aromas. Quenching and succulent in the mouth but initially short on the finish, this required a fair amount of air to settle into itself. Given the consistent performance of prior vintages, I suspect this is promising and should be given a couple of years to congeal."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
95
Date
2019-02-14
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2019-10-01
Wine Advocate
Score
92
Date
2020-02-06
Jancis Robinson
Score
18
Date
2024-12-26
"Light yellow-gold. Scents of beeswax, pear skin and dried lemon peel. A hint of candle wax mixes with mouth-watering lemon peel, Asian pear and wet-chalkboard notes. Sour lemon and pomelo flesh pucker the cheeks as the stony pear underbelly lingers for a long time on the palate. Outstanding. (AY)"