I have been reading many TN’s from the 2006 Rhys Alesia lineup this week, and I thought I would finally write-up my experience from last week.
2006 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast- USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (5/16/2011)
I keep checking in on these wines, to see how they are changing, and sixteen months has allowed for significant improvement. I really enjoyed the aromatics here with bright red fruit leading to a combo pine/orange rind sensation. With more time I lost that pine note, and definitely picked up a cedar/vanilla note instead.
My first glass made me think of cranberry juice cocktail, you know from oceanspray. The wine all came together with great finishing acid, and again a subtle citrus/marmalade like finish. One thing I have noted with most of the Rhys Alesia wines I have had, after 2 hours or so the wine seems to change significantly; by taking on more “depth”? I am not sure if that is the correct term, but some of the bright, fresh aspects of the wine, become heavier with raspberry and plum notes taking over, and some of the acid taking a lesser role on the palate. As I write this, I am wondering if this is a real thing, or just one of the effects of alcohol? Very enjoyable wine, I will try to hold off another 18-24 months.
These 2006’s seem to really be hitting their stride in the last few months. I’ve not had a bad bottle whether its been the Sonoma Coast, Green Valley, San Mateo or otherwise.
I also tend to find them to really ‘round out’ with an hour+ in the decanter.
Interesting you mention this transformation with air as I recently experienced this with the '06 Green Valley and for me it was not an improvement.
2006 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Green Valley- USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley (5/14/2011)
Not sure what phase this wine is going through, but at this point some additional age has not done this wine any favors. The first glass was nice. Well balanced wine with a good pinot profile. Plenty of red fruits with supporting acidity that leads to a medium length finish. However, with some air, and this was not decanted, the fruit become front and center with a sweetness that was out of place and the finish became ponderous and uninteresting. Hopefully just a phase as I have a couple of bottles left and my 1st one a year ago was in a much better place.