WTN: Shoe-in

by **David M. Bueker** » Wed Feb 02, 2022 8:24 pm

2008 Rhys Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (2/2/2022)
Old school (i.e. pre-2012) Rhys buyers know the excruciating wait. When will these Pinots finally show some development? The 2008 Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir has finally hit that phase. It’s by no means fully mature or resolved. Far from it. What it does have is a mid-palate complexity that enhances the dark fruit. It has earthy tones that provide a solid bass note. It still has some strong tannic underpinning, and combined with the fruit says the wine can go a while, but it has real interest right now, especially if you don’t mind structure. Rather than flying high above the landscape, the grape has finally been anchored to the ground. My last bottle, but I don’t mind, as it was nice to get to this point. It was nice to see the promise being delivered.