Rhys Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018

Rhys Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 is a powerful, site-driven Pinot Noir from the cool Santa Cruz Mountains of California, crafted to show both intensity and finesse. Built around old-school attention to terroir and meticulous winemaking, it delivers a more muscular, brooding expression than many Pinot Noirs, while still retaining the elegance and precision that have made Rhys one of California’s most celebrated specialists in Pinot and Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, it shows a deep, dark ruby tone that hints at its concentration. The nose is layered and expressive, with black cherry, ripe raspberry, licorice, leather, smoke, herbs, and spice unfolding over a mineral backbone. The palate is broad and complex, offering impressive depth, silky tannins, and a supple texture that gives the wine both charm and structure. The finish is long and satisfying, and while it already drinks beautifully now, it has the concentration and balance to evolve gracefully over the next decade.

Production
Horseshoe Vineyard sits in the cool climate of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where nearby ocean influence helps preserve acidity and aromatic freshness. The site’s distinctive diatomaceous Monterey soils, estimated to be 11–15 million years old, are a key part of the wine’s mineral character and layered texture. The grapes are fully destemmed, and after fermentation and pressing, the wine matures for 18 months in French oak barrels, with 40% new oak adding subtle structure and depth.

Food & Serving
This Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with roast duck, game birds, wild mushroom dishes, grilled salmon, or pork tenderloin with earthy herbs. Serve it slightly below room temperature, ideally around 15–17°C, and consider decanting for 30–60 minutes if drinking young to help the wine open up and show its full aromatic complexity.

Producer
Rhys Vineyards was founded by Kevin Harvey, a Silicon Valley software entrepreneur who began assembling vineyard sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 2000 with a focus on exceptional terroir. Since hiring winemaker Jeff Brinkman in 2006, the estate has become one of California’s benchmark producers for terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, earning strong critical acclaim for its uncompromising approach, organic and biodynamic farming, and distinctive vineyard expressions.

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