Rhys Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard 2021

Name: Rhys Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard 2021
Brand: Skurnik Wines West [SWW]
SKU: SF-4-SWW--071825-43
Price: 137.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$137⁹⁹

Rhys is one of the few California wineries that made hard-core Burgundy drinkers sit up straight — not because the wines imitate Burgundy, but because they chase the same thing: elegance, and a sense of place you can actually taste. That means mountain farming on steep Santa Cruz slopes, cold Pacific air pulling in from ten miles away, punishingly low yields, and an obsession with getting rock and exposure into the glass. Horseshoe sits around 1,500 feet on diatomaceous soil and Monterey shale, and it is one of Rhys's eight estate sites — where neighboring Alpine gives taut, saline cut, Horseshoe gives aromatic lift over crushed rock and a tension that rewards cellaring. Twelve months in mostly neutral French oak keeps the frame tight rather than sweet. It is only starting to unwind now, and it has a long road ahead of it.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

View our complete return policy →

Have Questions?

Our team is here to help.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 11am - 8pm

Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

CLOSED SUNDAYS

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (415) 780-1405

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Antonio Galloni

97 points

"The 2021 Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard is a powerful, explosive white that demands patience. Crushed rocks, lemon peel, white flowers, mint and slate race across the palate, making a strong first impression. A huge mid-palate of fruit lies beyond, just waiting to unfurl. This tightly-coiled, mineral-drenched Chardonnay will be superb, in a few years' time." —Antonio Galloni

Robert Parker

97 points

"At the apex of Rhys's outstanding array of Chardonnays, the 2021 Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard is a modern classic. The nose unfolds slowly, but steadily ascends from the glass with scents of crushed stones, mandarin rind, pomelo and a subtle crème brûlée richness that hangs in the background. The palate begins coiled and springlike, continuously expanding and adding dimension throughout the three days I spent with it. Simultaneously glossy, broad, angular and tense, it is the most texturally complex of the single-vineyard Chardonnays at this stage. This needs at least another five years in the cellar and should be on the ascent for a decade beyond that. A benchmark wine for the Santa Cruz Mountains." —Matthew Luczy

Decanter

92 points

"This wine opens to mildly reduced aromatics of smoky flint followed by mandarin skin, apricot and honeysuckle florals. The palate is rich and a bit rounder than the other Rhys Chardonnays. With fleshy peach and tangerine flavours, the wine offers a great minerality with seafoam salinity, crushed chalk and a finish of fruit-driven depth accented by almond and walnut notes."

Wine Spectator

92 points

"Displays a laser beam of intensity, with a core of bright lemony flavors and a touch of yuzu and salted melon notes. Accents of dried flowers, grated ginger and lemon verbena bring aromatic complexity, while savory hints of flint and chalk add a satisfying punctuation mark." —MaryAnn Worobiec

Wine Enthusiast

95 points

"Crystal-clean aromas of polished river stones and tight Asian pear slices draw the nose into this single-vineyard expression. The palate manages to be extremely delicate and utterly expressive, forcing one to pay attention to appreciate the citrus and crisp melon flavors." —Matt Kettmann

More about Rhys Vineyards

Rhys Vineyards is a winery based in Santa Cruz that focuses on producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah from some of California’s most unique and expressive vineyards. They are constantly on the hunt for exciting rocky soils that exist within the mountainous, cool, coastal climate zone. Over the last 15 years they have cultivated seven estate vineyards, six in the Santa Cruz Mountains and one in Anderson Valley, each of which is capable of producing uniquely compelling, distinctive, soil driven wine.

Wine Details

Grape Variety

Chardonnay
Vintage

2021
Size

750ml
Farming Practice

Sustainable
Style

Earthy , Minerally
Sweetness

Dry
Body

Full Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Skurnik Wines

100% ChardonnayHorseshoe Vineyard in the Santa Cruz MountainsPlanted in 2004 with a total of 17.5 acres, Horseshoe Ranch is Rhys’ most beautiful vineyard siteless than 1/2 mile from Alpine vineyardWente, Hyde and Mt Eden clonesMonterey shale soils1,450 – 1,500 ft. in elevationSouth facing slopeFermented in 20% new oak for about a year until dry, no racking or battonageAged in tank for an additional 4-6 months before bottling

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Roast chicken with lemon and thyme, halibut in brown butter, Dungeness crab, or a wedge of aged Comté.

Tasting Profile

Full-bodied but tightly wound. Lemon peel, mandarin and white flowers over a chalky, crushed-rock finish. Dry, with serious acidity and only a whisper of oak.