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The February 2026 Auction: Part 2
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1 / 2Lot 3100
Estimate: $220
Nicked label.
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Collection name
Reviews
95+AG
"The 2018 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard opens with striking, floral-infused aromatics that give the wine presence and structure. Savory and finely cut, with superb delineation, and tons of depth, the Alpine is positively stellar today. Layers of fruit enshroud the tannins, making them barely perceptible. The 2018 is a stunning Pinot from Alpine, a site originally planted with 17 heritage clones. The 2018 Pinot Noirs are without question the finest wines I have ever tasted from Rhys. One after the other, the 2018s are just off the charts brilliant, as saw in two separate tastings this past summer. The long, benign growing season with healthy rain and no shock events gave proprietor Kevin Harvey and winemaker Jeff Brinkman ideal conditions to really capture the essence of site. And thatâs what these wines are all about. The essence of place. Two thousand eighteen is the perfect vintage to explore the vineyards in the Rhys range, as the wines are so precise, so defined. In some ways, the 2018s have suaveness to them that recalls the 2012s, but the 2018s have darker fruit and more energy. The Pinots spent 18-21 days on the skins, including a few days of cold soak. Some of the wines, notably the Home, Skyline and Swan Terrace are done with essentially 100% whole clusters. Alpine sees about 25% stems, while Bearwallow, Porcupine Hill and Horseshoe are done with fully destemmed fruit. Readers will note the second release of the Rhys Ultra Brut, which is being made with the consulting help of Rodolphe PĂŠters. The sparkling program will ultimately comprise four wines: a vintage Blanc de Blanc from Mt. Pajaro, a vintage Pinot Noir/Chardonnay and a RosĂŠ from Bearwallow, and the Brut Reserve. Lastly, a whole range of wines is on the way from Aeris, Harveyâs label focused on Italian varieties. This report covers many wines from Rhys and sister labels Alesia and Aeris, but there is one wine Rhys fans should absolutely not miss, and that is the Horseshoe Pinot from ungrafted wines. Itâs one of the greatest California wines I have ever tasted. Readers who want to learn more might enjoy my recent interview with Harvey and Brinkman, which is available on the Vinous YouTube channel."
Region
Red
Country
Score
"The 2018 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard opens with striking, floral-infused aromatics that give the wine presence and structure. Savory and finely cut, with superb delineation, and tons of depth, the Alpine is positively stellar today. Layers of fruit enshroud the tannins, making them barely perceptible. The 2018 is a stunning Pinot from Alpine, a site originally planted with 17 heritage clones. The 2018 Pinot Noirs are without question the finest wines I have ever tasted from Rhys. One after the other, the 2018s are just off the charts brilliant, as saw in two separate tastings this past summer. The long, benign growing season with healthy rain and no shock events gave proprietor Kevin Harvey and winemaker Jeff Brinkman ideal conditions to really capture the essence of site. And thatâs what these wines are all about. The essence of place. Two thousand eighteen is the perfect vintage to explore the vineyards in the Rhys range, as the wines are so precise, so defined. In some ways, the 2018s have suaveness to them that recalls the 2012s, but the 2018s have darker fruit and more energy. The Pinots spent 18-21 days on the skins, including a few days of cold soak. Some of the wines, notably the Home, Skyline and Swan Terrace are done with essentially 100% whole clusters. Alpine sees about 25% stems, while Bearwallow, Porcupine Hill and Horseshoe are done with fully destemmed fruit. Readers will note the second release of the Rhys Ultra Brut, which is being made with the consulting help of Rodolphe PĂŠters. The sparkling program will ultimately comprise four wines: a vintage Blanc de Blanc from Mt. Pajaro, a vintage Pinot Noir/Chardonnay and a RosĂŠ from Bearwallow, and the Brut Reserve. Lastly, a whole range of wines is on the way from Aeris, Harveyâs label focused on Italian varieties. This report covers many wines from Rhys and sister labels Alesia and Aeris, but there is one wine Rhys fans should absolutely not miss, and that is the Horseshoe Pinot from ungrafted wines. Itâs one of the greatest California wines I have ever tasted. Readers who want to learn more might enjoy my recent interview with Harvey and Brinkman, which is available on the Vinous YouTube channel."
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The fourth-largest wine producer in the world, led by California. American fine wine is defined by ripe, expressive fruit and a spirit of innovation, with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon among the most sought-after wines globally.
A thin-skinned, terroir-sensitive red producing perfumed, silky and elegant wines of red-berry fruit and earthy complexity. It reaches its apogee in Burgundy.