WTN: 2009 Rhys Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains

[David M. Bueker]

2009 Rhys Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (3/23/2013)
Not really sure where this is going. Lots of dark berry fruit, but not much else going on. Price of entry is pretty steep, given that I can get 1er Cru Burg (SLB, Pernand) for the same or less.

Interesting, David,

Do you thinks it's because it's the Santa Cruz Mountains; have you better experience in '09 with the other appellations (Sonoma, Anderson Valley)?

Best,
Josh

[David M. Bueker]

I think I am just getting more focused on relative value. This is a fine enough Pinot, but it does not convey value at $45.

I think I am just getting more focused on relative value. This is a fine enough Pinot, but it does not convey value at $45.

But David, this presupposes that Pinot Noir from all regions fills the same niche in your consumption. Are there qualities (as opposed to the absolute Quality) to the Rhys that you wouldn't find in the Côte d'Or? I know that I continue to buy selected CA Pinots for their more fruit-forward qualities, which make them more suitable for pairing with certain foods that we prepare. So, perhaps the calculus should be whether the Rhys provides a better value than comparable CA Pinots (Anthill Farms, Arcadian, Copain, Littorai, Wind Gap, Arnot-Roberts)?

Mark Lipton

[David M. Bueker]

Given the ever riper vintages in Burgundy I do feel I can get fruit-forward Pinot Noir from there. 2009 for example, provided very forward wines.

Well, David,

Have you had luck drinking the '09 Burgundies to date? I know everyone says they are fruit forward, but the one that I've popped, the Barthod Bourgogne (Les Bons Batons) definitely was not yet ready to drink, and I suspect the same is true of, let's say, the Bachelet Cote de Nuits Villages.

By the way, I've been loving drinking the Anthills (09 and 10); some of them can definitely go longer, but a treat especially at their price point--less than the Rhys, no, Mark?

Best to you both,
Josh

[David M. Bueker]

Not implying the 09 Burgs are ready to drink. I am just struggling with the value proposition for a winery where the entry level is $45 plus shipping.