2014 Rhys Pinot Noir Bearwallow Vineyard- USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (2/7/2017)
Popped and poured from a 375ml last night, and I just did not get excited at all about the wine. It was very pleasant, with good fruit and balance, but zero excitement factor. Nothing about the wine brought it above amiable dinner companion. There was plenty of depth, so hope for the future, but no spark. Not sure where that spark would come from.
I found the Enfield Pinot Noir I tried the on Saturday to be a much more interesting wine.
I have found that when if first get the Rhys delivery and pop one it is singing. If I wait a year and open another it is shutdown to the world. I have literally done this like 4 times with the exact same results. Coincidence? Maybe…you think I would learn and stop doing that
In my tastings from the sampler pack over the past month, I thought the 2014 Bearwallow was one of the most approachable young and tasty Rhys pinots made to date. Beautiful, plush, silky red fruits, great balance and a very long finish with just enough acidity to give it a juicy aspect and mineral note. None of the slightly bitter tannin on the finish I found in earlier vintages of Bearwallow. Conversely, I found the 2014 Family Farm to be quite closed and the 2014 Horseshoe a bit disjointed at this time from 375’s.
