95+ points Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate): "From a steep slope located between 1,210 and 1,300 feet above sea level, the 2012 Pinot Noir Swan Terrace shows lots of whole-cluster influence in its ground pepper, black cherry, wood smoke and forest floor/autumn leaf-driven personality. Hitting the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity and plenty of concentration and tannic grip, this is a serious, structured and Burgundian Pinot Noir from this team that has the depth and class to evolve nicely for another decade or more. Drink: 2015-2027. (4/29/15)"
95 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The Swan Terrace, from an easterly-facing section of Alpine Vineyard, is utterly stunning in 2012. The wine is one of the lowest octane of the Rhys pinots this year, coming in at a cool 12.6 percent (most of the range are in the thirteen percent range this year), and the wine is magical. The nose is a pure and utterly superb mélange of black cherries, dark berries, black minerality, coffee bean, a potpourri of complex botanicals, woodsmoke, a touch of gamebird, cola and a gentle base of cedary wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and marvelously soil-driven, with a fine core of fruit, moderate tannins and a very, very long, complex and tangy finish. Beautiful wine. 2019-2045. (Jul/Aug 2014)"
94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(all whole clusters and 12.3% alcohol): Brilliant ruby. Heady, mineral-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry and potpourri, with a spicy quality gaining volume with air. Shows a darker fruit character on the palate, displaying intense cherry and blackberry flavors and a sexy floral pastille nuance. Chewy and tightly focused, finishing with superb clarity and power and smooth, slow-mounting tannins that fade into the lush, sappy fruit. (May/Jun 2014)"
93 points/'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(12.6%). This is perhaps the most aromatically reserved wine in the range with mostly floral aromas of tea, black raspberry and subtle anise nuances. There is good volume and concentration to the muscular yet relatively refined medium-bodied flavors that possess plenty of dry extract that coats the palate on the dusty, intense and hugely long finish. This is arguably the biggest and most powerful though not the most elegant wine in the range that will also need plenty of patience. Drink: 2022+. (Jan 2015)"
93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Dark red and plum notes meld into spice and floral notes in the 2012 Pinot Noir Swan Terrace. One of the more supple, accessible wines in the range, the 2012 is pure sensuality in the glass. The 100% whole clusters are practically buried by the intensity and radiance of the fruit. This is the only 2012 at Rhys that showed better from barrel than it does today from bottle. Drink: 2016-2024. (Jul 2014)"
95 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The Swan Terrace, from an easterly-facing section of Alpine Vineyard, is utterly stunning in 2012. The wine is one of the lowest octane of the Rhys pinots this year, coming in at a cool 12.6 percent (most of the range are in the thirteen percent range this year), and the wine is magical. The nose is a pure and utterly superb mélange of black cherries, dark berries, black minerality, coffee bean, a potpourri of complex botanicals, woodsmoke, a touch of gamebird, cola and a gentle base of cedary wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and marvelously soil-driven, with a fine core of fruit, moderate tannins and a very, very long, complex and tangy finish. Beautiful wine. 2019-2045. (Jul/Aug 2014)"
94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(all whole clusters and 12.3% alcohol): Brilliant ruby. Heady, mineral-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry and potpourri, with a spicy quality gaining volume with air. Shows a darker fruit character on the palate, displaying intense cherry and blackberry flavors and a sexy floral pastille nuance. Chewy and tightly focused, finishing with superb clarity and power and smooth, slow-mounting tannins that fade into the lush, sappy fruit. (May/Jun 2014)"
93 points/'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(12.6%). This is perhaps the most aromatically reserved wine in the range with mostly floral aromas of tea, black raspberry and subtle anise nuances. There is good volume and concentration to the muscular yet relatively refined medium-bodied flavors that possess plenty of dry extract that coats the palate on the dusty, intense and hugely long finish. This is arguably the biggest and most powerful though not the most elegant wine in the range that will also need plenty of patience. Drink: 2022+. (Jan 2015)"
93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Dark red and plum notes meld into spice and floral notes in the 2012 Pinot Noir Swan Terrace. One of the more supple, accessible wines in the range, the 2012 is pure sensuality in the glass. The 100% whole clusters are practically buried by the intensity and radiance of the fruit. This is the only 2012 at Rhys that showed better from barrel than it does today from bottle. Drink: 2016-2024. (Jul 2014)"
| Product SKU | 350027 |
| Producer | Rhys |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| SubRegion | Santa Cruz Mountains |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 12.6% |
| Ships To |
