Name: Rhys Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard 2018 750ml
Brand: Rhys
SKU: 974271
Price: 75.94 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 93 (3 reviews)

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Winery Rhys

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Varietal Chardonnay

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.

Country United States

Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.

Region California

California as a wine producing region has grown in size and importance considerably over the past couple of centuries, and today is the proud producer of more than ninety percent of the United States' wines. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with a vast range of vineyards covering almost half a million acres. The secret to California's success as a wine region has a lot to do with the high quality of its soils, and the fact that it has an extensive Pacific coastline which perfectly tempers the blazing sunshine it experiences all year round. The winds coming off the ocean cool the vines, and the natural valleys and mountainsides which make up most of the state's wine regions make for ideal areas in which to cultivate a variety of high quality grapes.

Appellation Mendocino County

Mendocino County, nestled in Northern California, is a captivating wine appellation celebrated for its diverse terroirs and sustainable winemaking practices. What makes Mendocino County unique is its rugged topography, spanning coastal hills, valleys, and inland mountains, each contributing to a variety of microclimates. The region's commitment to sustainable and organic viticulture adds to its allure, emphasizing environmental stewardship and the production of high-quality, eco-conscious wines. Mendocino County excels in the cultivation of a range of grape varieties, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Rhône varietals. The coastal influence and temperature differentials between day and night create wines with vibrant acidity and nuanced flavors. Noteworthy sub-appellations like Anderson Valley and Potter Valley showcase the region's potential for cool-climate varieties. Exploring Mendocino County offers wine enthusiasts a journey into the harmonious marriage of diverse terroirs and mindful winemaking, resulting in wines that reflect both the land and the dedication to sustainability.

VM 94pts

Vinous Media

The 2018 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard is endowed with tremendous poise and balance. Light tropical notes, marzipan and lemon oil open up first in a Chardonnay loaded with character. Bright acids play off a creamy expression of fruit. Rich and textured yet also light on its feet, the Bearwallow Chardonnay has a ton to offer. It is another brilliant wine in this lineup from Rhys.

WA 93pts

Wine Advocate

The 2018 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard combines crystalline orchard fruit and flower aromas with deft touches of creamy concentration that add dimension and depth. The palate is full-bodied and glossy without losing delineation, and the acid structure lends refreshing length to the nuanced, balanced finish. Lovely and approachable throughout, this is a Chardonnay to enjoy while the Alpine and Horseshoe bottlings come into themselves.

JD 92pts

Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from a site in the Anderson Valley, the 2018 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard shows its normal Burgundian style and has a gorgeous perfume of crushed citrus, lemon curd, white flowers, and salty minerality. Complex and nuanced aromatically, it hits the palate with a racy, steely texture that carries good concentration and mid-palate density, bright acidity, and a saliva-inducing finish. As with the 2017, it needs a solid 3-4 years of bottle age and should drink nicely over the following decade or more.

Winery Notes

• Practicing Biodynamic. • 100% Chardonnay. • Bearwallow Vineyard (Anderson Valley AVA). • Elevation is 300?-600? and the clones are Hyde, Old Wente and Dijon. • The soil is Bearwallow-Wolfey topsoils that range from 10?-25?. Below that is Franciscan Complex, fractured shale, quartz an sandstone. • Hand-harvested. • Native yeast fermentation. • Whole cluster pressed into barrel for fermentation. • Aged 12 months in 15% new French oak and then 6 months in stainless steel.