Mom's 86th with 2006 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Hillside

Celebrating my mother’s 86th birthday a day early. We were headed to Zut! bistro on 4th St and pinot noir seemed like the ticket for the menu choices. So I brought this with me and it was good.

  • 2006 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Hillside - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (11/10/2013)
    Opened a couple of hours before heading to the restaurant, then decanted at the table. Besides tasting on pickup day this is only the 2nd Rhys Pinot I’ve opened and is easily the best. Excellent complex nose of California pinot spice, forest floor and cut dark cherry. Early on the palate was a slightly more complex California-ish pinot, lacking cola and having a slightly more complex spice with rich cherry fruit and a nice spicy finish. As the evening wore on the palate got more complex. Good mineral and tasty fruit at the mid-palate. The finish seemed to get better and better with tingling spice and what I see as tannin to give it some heft. I have never had any pinot that quite fits this profile so I imagine it speaks of the terroir of Alpine Hillside quite well. Looking forward to the next bottle. Outstanding!

Posted from CellarTracker

06 Alpine remains our favorite Rhys to date, I’m guessing we’d love a Hillsides! Enjoy your mom and her special days.

Glenn,
Tell me more about 06 Alpine. I opened one almost 3 years ago and was not impressed.

Paul - I wish I could recall details but I know the two great Rhys bottles we have had were that 06 Alpine and one 09 FF we uncorked.

OK - My last one gets to sleep a few more years anyway, but looking forward to it!