Rhys Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains Alpine Vineyard 2014

96 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2014 Pinot Noir “Alpine Vineyard” Hillside bottling from Rhys Vineyards is starting to blossom aromatically at six years of age, though in reality, it remains quite a young wine and has decades and decades of life still ahead of it. The very complex bouquet wafts from the glass in a mix of black cherries, plums, lovely spice tones, a bit of black tea, a superb base of soil, espresso, fresh thyme and a deft touch of cedar. On the palate the wine is still quite tightly-knit, as it was upon release, with its full-bodied format showing a superb core of black fruit, excellent mineral drive and grip, suave, buried tannins and a very long, tangy and nascently complex finish. This was tasted out of half bottle, and even in halves, this wine is still several years away from primetime drinking. Its quality remains self-evident and all that is needed is more patience (particularly than what I showed with this half!) to let it really start to open up on the palate. 2026-2075. (May/Jun 2020)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2014 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard bristles with energy. Rose petal, mint, white pepper and blood orange give the Alpine its super-appealing aromatic upper register, but there is plenty of depth lurking beneath. Here the flavors are bright and nicely focused, while the richness of the vintage is mostly felt in the dense, potent finish. Drink: 2018-2026. (Jul 2016)"

95 points Decanter: "From a steep, south-facing vineyard 16km from the Pacific Ocean, this Pinot Noir really reflects its terroir. It brims with mineral complexity and has masses of energy, and pure elegant fruit flavours mixed with savoury earth. Drink: 2018-2025. Alcohol 12.9%. (May 2016)"

94 points Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate): "Another complete, broad and layered red that delivers on all accounts, the 2014 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard reveals a healthy ruby color as well as a darker core of red and black raspberry fruits, peppery spice and forest floor in its medium to full-bodied, balanced personality. I love its mid-palate, and while it certainly offers pleasure today, it should be at its best from 2019-2029. (Oct 2016)"

94 points and 'Top 100 Wine of 2018 (#96),' International Wine Report: "Sourced from the steeply sloped Alpine Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this Pinot Noir begins with gorgeous aromas of smoke, forest floor, mulberry and cherry cola. The silky texture and elegance is simply outstanding, as is the wonderful astringency and tension. Red currant jelly, red cherry cordial, cola and peat moss flavors captivate the senses. This is a truly outstanding Pinot Noir that will age gracefully for the next two plus decades."