2011 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (7/28/2014)
With only one bottle there was never going to be a right time to open this. Quite tight, with deep red fruit and notable structure. Not giving much pleasure, just hints at what might be someday.
Posted from CellarTracker
Thanks for the note. I also only have one, and you just convinced me not to open it for a very long time.
For what it’s worth, I opened a '08 Alpine six months (or so) ago, and I thought it was way too soon. Fortunately, I have a bunch more of those.
I’ve been consistently frustrated when drinking very young Rhys. When I’ve given them a bit of time, much the opposite.
I’m making a very big bet that these will soar with patience. Looking forward to a tasting with FMIII in Oct. when we can delve into the 2006 lineup.
I opened a 2007 Alpine Vineyard a few weeks back and it was marvelous. Very young, fruit forward, big and rocking, but still gorgeous. Maybe the best CA Pinot Noir I’ve had, but I’m no deep expert.
Mike - I think a whole lot of us are making that bet and I think it is a very smart bet. Love me some Rhys. 
Seems very different than Littorai’s 2011’s…at least the Hirsch and Mays were drinking very well at a tasting last week.
2011 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (6/2/2022)
– decanted about 45 min. before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over a couple hours –
NOSE: high-toned; warm, baked red berries; light oak
BODY: light signs of seepage beneath capsule; super soft/squishy cork, but not soaked — I actually cut the cork in half, half-expecting to find a hollow in there, but none was discovered. Coarse-grained sediment present; burgundy color with light bricking throughout; color is of medium-deep depth; medium-light to medium bodied.
TASTE: high acidity; light, embedded, funky note; warm, slightly-baked red fruits – a bit earthy – not crystalline/pure; earthy strawberry; medium concentration of fruit; blind, doubt I would guess this to be from a cool vintage. My score may be a touch conservative.
50, 5, 12, 16, 7 = (90 pts.)
Good patience with a 2011. I still have a few bottles of 2011 Rhys Pinot, but never reach for them. It’s not a Rhys thing. I don’t care for the vintage at all with northern California Pinots.
What is it, if you can put your finger on it, that you don’t like about the '11 Pinots from N. CA? I’ve generally quite enjoyed the '11s from Rhys; I think the Bearwallow really needs to be consumed now; the others I’ve tried didn’t strike me as being so pressing.
Overall I have found a distinct underripe streak that has a harsh green edge.