- Practicing Biodynamic
- 100% Chardonnay
- Mt. Pajaro Vineyard (Santa Cruz Mountains AVA)
- Clonal selection is Hyde, Old Wente and Dijon. The vineyard has an elevation of 717′-980′
- The soil type of Miocene and Oligocene (Brown and black shale and sandstone)
- Hand-harvested
- Native yeast fermentation
- Whole clusters were pressed into barrels where they were fermented. No racking or battonage.
- Aged 12 months in 15% new French oak and then 6 months in stainless steel
- 12.7% ABV
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2019
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
Santa Cruz Mountains
Variety:
Chardonnay
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Practicing Biodynamic
Sizes Available
| Half Bottle | US-RHY-33-19H | 12/375ml |
| Magnum | US-RHY-33-19M | 6/1500ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2024-04-18
"The 2019 Chardonnay Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is a beautiful, energetic and chiseled representation of this site. It leads with aromas of struck match, Meyer lemon curd, Asian pear and fresh lilies. The palate is perfectly balanced between ripe orchard fruits and laser-like focus, with an incisive attack and crystal clear acidity carrying through to the finish. This is drinking very well today and would be difficult to keep one's hands off of, but it will surely reward up to a decade of aging."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2021
Vinous
Score
97
Date
2023-09-01
"The 2021 Chardonnay Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is the most ethereal and finely cut of the Chardonnays in this range. White pepper, chalk, mint, crushed rocks and citrus abound. Ethereal and understated, with tons of saline intensity, the 2021 is compelling in every way. I especially admire its translucent intensity. Bright saline notes reverberate throughout. I would prefer to cellar this, but a few hours of aeration will also do the trick. Magnificent."
2021
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
95
Date
2024-06-28
"For me, these whites from the Santa Cruz Mountains have a slight edge over the Anderson Valley wines. The 2021 Chardonnay Mt Pajaro Vineyard also pours a similar silver/straw color and offers flinty, smoky notes of silver, lime candy and zest, and crushed stones. Medium-bodied, it has more tension throughout the palate, with great, citrus-toned energy and well-managed oak spices coming through on the back palate. This is going to show its best in another few years."
2021
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2024-04-18
"A lower elevation site by Rhys standards, Mt. Pajaro is the newest vineyard site in the winery's stable, planted in 2010. Citrus oil and candlewax aromas peer through the otherwise oceanic and vibrant nose of the 2021 Chardonnay Mt. Pajaro Vineyard, foreshadowing the riper, more powerful flavors hidden in its core. The palate is textural and glossy, flanked by a bright, nervy acidity that stops shy of harshness. While it is clearly still a young wine, it is surely a more open and accessible example of Rhys's fantastic 2021 single-vineyard Chardonnays."
2021
Wine Enthusiast
Score
93
Date
2023-11-01
"Rich aromas of baked apples and toasted nuts make for a buttery nose on this single-vineyard expression. There's brisk acidity and chalky texture to the palate, which is rich yet not especially buttered, offering vanilla, crème brûlee and lemony citrus flavors."
2021
Wine Spectator
Score
93
Date
2024-07-31
"Sleek and mouthwatering, with wonderful, energetic acidity at the core of Honeycrisp apple and pear flavors. Offers details of sea salt minerality, dried lemon thyme, tangerine and lemon blossoms. There's plenty of intensity on the long, expressive finish."
2021
Decanter
Score
90
Date
2024-08-07
"Fresh and vibrant. Notes of orange blossom and lemon peel with a touch of vanilla. Lime, green apple, vibrant acidity. Lean, like Chablis."
2017
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
93+
Date
2019-10-31
2017
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2019-10-01
2017
Wine Advocate
Score
92
Date
2020-02-06