2014, 2015, 2017 Rhys Paul Lato Rochioli Russian River Valley Chardonnay Tasting Lot

“My favorite of the Chardonnays, the 2014 Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard reveals more minerality than the Alpine Vineyard, with lots of crushed rock, caramelized white currant, white peach and a distinct saltiness all emerging from the glass. (JD)” (10/2016)

“The 2014 Horseshoe Vineyard chardonnay from Rhys Vineyards is a bit riper than normal, due to the drought conditions, coming in at 13.6 percent octane. This has produced a more wide open wine than the 2013 version, wafting from the glass in a fine blend of apple, tangerine, esthery tones, incipient notes of butter, lovely minerality and orange blossoms in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and complex, with quite a wide open personality out of the blocks for this bottling. The acids are bright and zesty, the focus is lovely and the core here is ample, with the potential to age gracefully, but an open-knit personality that is going to make it extremely difficult to keep one’s hands off of bottles in the cellar.” (07/2016)

“A rich, voluptuous wine, the 2014 Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard is also the most overt of the Rhys Chardonnays. Orange jam, apricot marmalade, tropical fruit, wild flowers and buttery notes give the Horseshoe much of its exotic, viscous personality. The Horseshoe is another wine that demands at least a few years in the cellar. (AG) 92+” (07/2016)

“Showing a similar color as the other Chardonnays, the 2015 Chardonnay East of Eden Pisoni Vineyard offers a stunning minerality to go with notions toasted bread, charcoal, buttered stone fruits and spice. Rich, concentrated, decadent and textured, it has wonderfully bright acidity and is the finest Chardonnay I've tasted from Paul.” (08/2017)

“The 2015 Chardonnay East Of Eden Pisoni Vineyard is an outright blockbuster, revealing opulent apricot preserves, honey drizzled pears and candied ginger notes over suggestions of buttered popcorn, brioche and toasted almonds, plus a waft of jasmine. The medium to full-bodied palate is draped in decadent stone fruit and spice flavors, with gregarious exotic spice accents and a lovely creamy texture that coats the palate through the long finish. So good. (LPB) 96+” (09/2017)

“The 2015 Chardonnay East of Eden Pisoni Vineyard is super-elegant and refined. Apricot pit, peach, honey, candied orange peel and spice all meld together in the glass. The 2015 offers striking textural depth while remaining light on its feet, gracious and refined. (AG)” (09/2017)

“The nose of the 2017 Chardonnay Sweetwater Vineyard is gunflinty and toasty to begin, then gives up wafts of pure Bosc pears, Fuji apples, wet hay and floral notes. Medium-bodied, it explodes from its mineral shell into intense savory layers with juicy acidity and a very long, energetic finish. (EB)” (12/2019)