2016 Rhys "Horseshoe Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah
SKU #1467710
95 points
Vinous
The 2016 Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard is incredibly elegant and finessed. Aging in 25HL cask give the Syrah striking translucence and energy, with less bombastic fruit than in the past, and far greater nuance. Crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, mint and sage are all lifted by the 100% whole clusters, while firm yet well-integrated tannins give energy and cut. I can't wait to see how the 2016 ages. The 2016 spent 28 months in oak. (AG)
(10/2019)
94 points
John Gilman
The 2016 Horseshoe Vineyard Syrah from Rhys Vineyards is outstanding. The wine is 12.7% in alcohol and beautifully balanced, deep and refined. The youthful bouquet offers up a very complex blend of cassis, smoked meats, pepper, a bit of lavender, coffee bean, superb soil tones, a bit of bonfire and incipient notes of Hermitage-like straw elements in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and shows off lovely depth in the mid-palate, with ripe, chewy tannins, excellent focus and grip and a very long, soil-driven and complex finish. This is stellar Syrah in the making! 94+
(7/2019)
93 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard exhibits aromas of crunchy wild berries, juniper, cracked black pepper, rich soil and subtle smoke. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, firm and chewy, with super depth and concentration, a multidimensional core and a long, taut finish. Harvested in mid-October, this is going to demand plenty of patience, but it's full of promise. (WK) 93+
(5/2018)
92 points
Jeb Dunnuck
The deep ruby/purple-hued 2016 Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard is for those who like a little blood and meat in their Syrah. Crazy notes of blackcurrants, beef blood, ground stems, and pepper all emerge from the glass, and this puppy is medium to full-bodied, has good concentration, loads of tannins, and a great finish. 92+
(10/2019)