Rhys Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2018

The 2018 Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains is rock-solid and certainly has plenty of classy Rhys character. Lots of black cherries, mulberries, dried spices, savory herbs, and forest floor notes all dominate the bouquet, and it's medium-bodied, with a supple, elegant texture, silky tannins, and a great finish. This is classic Santa Cruz Mountains, delivering complex, Burgundian aromatics, ample minerality, integrated structure, and a great finish. The 2018 Rhys Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains is immediately wide open on the nose, with pretty aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, red licorice and wild herbs. The palate is svelte and solid, braced with quenching and delicious acidity. On the finish, a mild, understated tannin structure gains sturdiness with air while remaining seamless and inviting. The 2018 Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) is another fabulous appellation-level wine from Alesia, the sister label of Rhys. Red berry, spice, rose petal and dried herbs all grace this wonderfully expressive, vibrant Pinot Noir. Far from an easygoing entry-level wine, the Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot offers quite a bit of intensity in a mid-weight style that favors energy over heft.