Over two nights Eileen and I consumed one thousand milliliters of two very great wines:
2016 Rhys Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains ‘Horseshoe Vineyard’ 500ml
“Bright!” That was Eileen’s initial exclamation and she nailed it. The aromas are beautifully floral, with fruit notes including some unexpected pineapple. Mountain conifer and minerals complement the other aromas. This dances on the palate, but also has some real heft… an accomplished sumo ballet dancer. It is both piquant and serious, with a lengthy, intricate finish. My best bottle so far, in a beautiful, almost perfect place. Rated 97. I think this is at peak, I will have another soon and will probably consume all three that I have left by the end of next year.
2012 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvee Reservee’ 500ml
Medium dark crimson color, no bricking. The aromas feature beautifully ripe red and black fruits, plum and raspberry to the fore. There are welcome notes of earth and a herbal garrigue touch. The palate is both muscular and lithe, more vibrant than most vintages of this bottling. There is now some mineral on the palate along with the earth, with tiny notes of sage and cumin. This is sturdy, rock-solid but also nicely vivid. A great vintage of this wine just coming into full maturity. Rated 97. Drink now and over the next decade… or two.
