Rhys Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Rhys Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 is a striking cool-climate Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains, showing a level of precision, intensity, and mineral drive that puts it in a very serious league. Crafted from one of Rhys’ most distinctive sites, it offers a Burgundian sense of structure and elegance with a clearly Californian stamp of coastal freshness.

Tasting Notes
Pale golden in the glass, it opens with vivid aromas of lemon oil, crisp apple, pineapple, passion fruit, white flowers, oyster shell, and a delicate thread of nutmeg. The palate is layered and textured, combining glossy richness with bright, saline minerality and remarkable concentration. There is real depth here, with flavor after flavor unfolding as the wine breathes: citrus peel, stone fruit, wet stone, and subtle spice. While already impressive, this is a Chardonnay with outstanding aging potential and should continue to gain complexity over the next decade or more, with the producer and critics both suggesting it can evolve beautifully for close to two decades.

Production
The Alpine Vineyard sits in the northern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where cool Pacific air helps preserve acidity and develop aromatic finesse. The site’s climate and elevation make it ideal for Chardonnay of tension and purity, and the fruit is handled with a minimalist, terroir-focused approach. Winemaker Jeff Brinkman ferments the wine in oak and then allows it to mature in stainless steel, a combination that adds texture while preserving freshness and clarity. Rhys farms its vineyards with organic and biodynamic principles, reflecting a deeply committed, site-driven philosophy.

Food & Serving
This Chardonnay is a natural match for refined seafood dishes such as oysters, crab, lobster, grilled scallops, or roast turbot, as well as poultry with cream or beurre blanc sauces. It also works beautifully with truffled pasta, risotto, or aged hard cheeses. Serve chilled at around 10–12°C, and while decanting is not essential, a little time in the glass will help the wine раскры its aromatic complexity.

Producer
Rhys Vineyards was founded by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Kevin Harvey, who began acquiring vineyard land in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 2000 with a vision focused on terroir and precision. Momentum built further when Jeff Brinkman joined as winemaker in 2006, helping establish a state-of-the-art winery and an uncompromising viticultural approach. Today, Rhys is widely regarded as one of California’s most respected cool-climate producers, especially for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and has earned strong critical acclaim year after year.

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