Red cherry colored. Wood and red fruits on the nose. Bright red-fruited mouth, with tangy sugar powder candy, noticeable wood dust on the end, wood spice and powdered wood tannins dry the mouth on the end. Similar to a 2008 village Burgundy in weight. A slight floral component comes out with airing. Fruit, but not much body to it. Second day that 'California roast' (I detect this on many Cal. pinot noirs. A slight roasted carob-like flavor on the end that reminds me of summer ripening). B+
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TN: Rhys, Pinot Noir, Family Farm, 2008
- Thread starter MarkS
- Start date
originally posted by MarkS:
TN: Rhys, Pinot Noir, Family Farm, 2008Red cherry colored. Wood and red fruits on the nose. Bright red-fruited mouth, with tangy sugar powder candy, noticeable wood dust on the end, wood spice and powdered wood tannins dry the mouth on the end. Similar to a 2008 village Burgundy in weight. A slight floral component comes out with airing. Fruit, but not much body to it. Second day that 'California roast' (I detect this on many Cal. pinot noirs. A slight roasted carob-like flavor on the end that reminds me of summer ripening). B+
thanks for the update...I agree with the "roast" thought....not sure I've heard it quite put that way....I also find a bit more wood showing on these than I typically like
...I also find a bit more wood showing on these than I typically like
Which is weird, because of the professed intent of using less than is 'normal' in Cal. I know amounts of new oak have been dialed back even over the past two vintages, and I still feel they are worth following, but their prices keep escalating and compete with (Very) good red Burgs now. FWIW, I don't get the oak treatment when tasting their syrahs.
Jim Hanlon
Jim Hanlon
originally posted by MarkS:
...I also find a bit more wood showing on these than I typically like
Which is weird, because of the professed intent of using less than is 'normal' in Cal. I know amounts of new oak have been dialed back even over the past two vintages, and I still feel they are worth following, but their prices keep escalating and compete with (Very) good red Burgs now. FWIW, I don't get the oak treatment when tasting their syrahs.
In my experience, Pinots that are closed down can show as very oaky, even when they received quite modest oak treatment. Perhaps that's partly at play?
The Family Farm also is the ripest Rhys wine, typically. The vineyard is not at significant elevation. In fact, I think it's too low for the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, so it says San Mateo County. Not long after 2008, the Rhys team replanted a large part of Family Farm because they weren't satisfied with the wines.
Jay Miller
Jay Miller
2008 and 2009 were the first vintages of Family Farm that I really liked. They were acceptable before that but outclassed by some of the other vineyards.
Kevin says that in general this is not a good time to be drinking any 2008s as most are shut down so that may be a factor. I took him at his word and haven't touched any since release.
Kevin says that in general this is not a good time to be drinking any 2008s as most are shut down so that may be a factor. I took him at his word and haven't touched any since release.