2018-2019 Rhys "Porcupine Hill Vineyard" Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Vertical

“The 2018 Pinot Noir Porcupine Hill emerges from a block of densely planted vines that lies apart from the rest of the property, on its own ridge. Weightless and ethereal, the 2018 stands out for its aromatic presence and finely sculpted, detailed profile. Interestingly, the fruit is much less overt here than it is in the Bearwallow. There is something elusive in the Porcupine Hill’s ethereal personality that is absolutely compelling. (AG)” (09/2020)

“The difference in evolution between the Bearwallow bottling and the 2018 Pinot Noir Porcupine Hill clearly shows the considerable longevity instilled in this bottling. The nose is simultaneously introverted and alluring, never staying in the same place long before unfurling its red fruit and sous-bois character. This vintage displays this site's precision and weightless density, leading to an expansive, sophisticated finish that evokes eagerness to return to the glass. This is still a good 2-3 years from meriting a serious check-in, but one would be forgiven for scratching the itch. (ML) 95+” (04/2024)

“Kirsch, mulled cherries, leather, flowery incense, and minty herbs are all displayed in the 2018 Pinot Noir Porcupine Hill, a medium-bodied, elegant, seamless Pinot Noir from the Anderson Valley. Showing classic Anderson Valley savoriness and mineral notes, it has ripe yet present tannins, a focused texture, and a crisp, clean finish.” (09/2020)

“The Porcupine Hill bottling of Pinot Noir from Rhys hails from the only parcel of the Bearwallow Vineyard that is planted to high density, making this quite unique than the other Bearwallow fruit (above and beyond the differences of terroir of this section). The 2018 Porcupine Hill cuvée comes in at the same octane level as the Bearwallow, 13.8%, but it seems just a touch more precise and soil-driven. The bouquet delivers a superb combination of sweet dark berries, black plums, raw cocoa, lovely whole cluster spice tones, a complex base of soil, woodsmoke, cardamom, gently savory elements and a discreet framing of new wood. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and very refined, with a great core of black fruit, excellent mineral drive and grip, fine-grained tannins and a long, tangy and youthfully complex finish. This is deeper, tighter-knit and even more defined by its underlying soil tones than the very good Bearwallow bottling. Outstanding juice.” (05/2020)

“The 2019 Pinot Noir Porcupine Hill is a beautifully translucent, nuanced Pinot that shows the heights of finesse that are possible in Anderson Valley. A wine of unreal subtlety and nuance, the Porcupine Hill hits so many high notes. Crushed red berry, mint, spice, tobacco, cedar, rose petal and espresso build over time. As always, the Porcupine Hill Pinot is sourced from high-density blocks on the property and is done with minimal whole clusters. (AG)” (08/2021)

“The 2019 Pinot Noir Porcupine Hill takes this bottling's signature elusiveness and injects it with a lovely, fragrant dose of floral depth. A gorgeous nose laden with purple flowers and deftly concentrated dark fruits evolves leisurely but constantly. The palate is ethereal and fresh, with the fantastic delineation between its vibrant yet subtle core of acidity and fine, powdery tannins on the finish. This strikes me as a midpoint between the structured, upright 2018 and the more forward and generous 2020, and it could prove the most multidimensional with proper bottle age. While certainly the most approachable of the three, it is years away from revealing its true colors, and I eagerly look forward to tracking its progress. (ML) 96+” (04/2024)

“The 2019 Pinot Noir Porcupine Hill is another Anderson Valley release that does well in the vintage. Medium ruby-hued, with a great nose of black raspberries, baking spices, resinous herbs, and black tea, it hits the palate with medium to full body, a layered, beautifully balanced mouthfeel, lots of structure, and a great finish. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age, but it’s brilliant. (JD) 94+” (07/2021)

“The densely-planted Porcupine Hill section of the Bearwallow Vineyard has produced a stellar wine in 2019. The bouquet is quite a bit more black fruity out of the blocks than the regular Bearwallow, offering up scents of black cherries, sweet dark berries, beautifully complex soil tones, bitter chocolate, woodsmoke, a touch of fresh thyme, discreet floral notes redolent of peonies and a gentle framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is bright, young and full-bodied, with a superb core of fruit, lovely mineral undertow, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a long, nascently complex and extremely promising finish. This is going to take even a few more years to blossom than the regular Bearwallow, but it will be stellar juice when it is ready to drink. (JG) 94+” (05/2021)

“Cool, elegant and highly appealing aromas display notes of red and dark raspberry, Asian style tea, star anise and a whiff of sandalwood. There is a lovely sense of underlying tension to the delineated and attractively textured medium-bodied flavors that are rich but focused on the dusty, youthfully austere and impressively persistent finale. I like the balance though do note that this is also clearly built-to-age and a wine that's going to need at least some patience. *Outstanding*” (10/2021)