A California Pinot Noir that channels the power and mineral intensity of great Cte de Nuits Burgundyfrom a vineyard planted on ancient Whiskey Hill sandstone in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Kevin Harvey founded Rhys Vineyards in 2004 after years of studying what makes extraordinary terroir, planting high-density vineyards at sites chosen for their poor, well-drained soils and cool maritime influence between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Home Vineyard, at 450-500 feet elevation, was among the first. The winemaking is uncompromisingly Burgundian: gravity-fed, foot-trodden, whole-cluster fermentation with indigenous yeasts, aged in French oak with restrained new wood. The 2010 vintagecool and late, with extended hang time producing concentrated yieldsdelivered a wine of massive structure and savory complexity: black fruit, tar, herbs, and earth with incisive tannins. Now fifteen years old and beginning to unfurl. Decant generously.