This was a really fun comparison of two excellent pinot noirs from the Santa Cruz Mountains.
2009 Rhys Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains
Some whole clusters... Black fruit with hints of sassafras.
Produced from barrels that didn’t make it into the Horseshoe and Alpine bottlings.
The depth of fruit is notable with the wine gaining presence over the course of a few hours.
Paired with lamb rigatoni.
2012 Neely Pinot Noir Upper Picnic Block Spring Ridge Vineyard
Last tasted in June 2017, when I assessed it as a beautiful wine with significant potential... and, indeed, the potential has been realized based on this bottle.
This wine shows a lighter, more deft style of pinot noir with mouthwatering acidity and modest abv compared to the Rhys.
High-toned red fruit with wonderfully floral nose.
Paired with Oysters Bienville.
The Varner Brothers made this wine for years until the business relationship with Neely ended.
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