2016 Bearwallow Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
Starting with the Chardonnays, the 2016 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard comes from Anderson Valley and offers a medium-bodied, fresh, elegant, almost feminine profile as well as classy citrus zest, crushed rocks, and white flowers. With beautiful purity of fruit and a great texture, it’s already delicious yet should keep for 7-8 years.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Supple and racy in the glass, the 2016 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard is simply gorgeous. Apricot, chamomile and lightly tropical notes meld together in this super-expressive, inviting Chardonnay. The 2016 has a lot to offer. Unlike most Rhys Chardonnays, the 2016 Bearwallow will drink beautifully right out of the gate.
The 2016 Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard is lovely, exhibiting youthful but expressive notes of apple, white peach and a touch of green herbs, subtly framed by a judicious application of new oak. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, with bright acids that lend the wine focus and delineation, with good concentration and a chalky, mouthwatering finish. The additional tension and intensity that this possesses over the Alesia Anderson Valley bottling—also derived from Bearwallow Vineyard—reflects how selective, both at the press and in the cellar, the Rhys team is in determining what makes the cut. Follow it for the coming decade or more.