Vinography Unboxed: Highlights and Insights from the Week of January 25, 2026

Hello and welcome to this week’s exploration of wine samples that have recently arrived for tasting. In this edition, we focus primarily on some exceptional Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

I had the pleasure of tasting wines from Rhys Vineyards, a renowned Burgundy-inspired project founded in 2004 by venture capitalist Kevin Harvey. Over the past two decades, the Rhys team, under the guidance of winemaker Jeff Brinkman, has produced some truly remarkable Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, along with Syrahs, Chenin Blancs, and, more recently, sparkling wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Mendocino’s Anderson Valley. Of note, both their Anderson Valley and Santa Cruz Mountain Estate Chardonnays are quite appealing, yet I find the Santa Cruz Mountains bottling slightly more captivating. Conversely, my preference for their Pinot Noirs shifts toward the Anderson Valley, where I appreciate the wine’s purity and vibrancy.

In addition, I sampled several selections from Nicolas Jay in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Their Bishop Creek single-vineyard Chardonnay impresses with its faintly reductive quality, saline notes, and vibrant acidity – a perfect illustration of why Oregon Chardonnay is gaining acclaim. Their Own Rooted Pinot Noir and Bishop Creek Pinot Noir are both elegant and compelling offerings.

Lastly, I want to highlight three recent releases from winemaker Jamie Kutch, who appears to be producing some of the finest wines of his career. All three single-vineyard Pinots I tasted were exceptional. In particular, his selection from Mindego Ridge stands out for its electric character, delivering both power and delicacy that is breathtaking. While these wines may prove hard to find due to limited production, they rival many California Pinot Noirs priced at double.

Here are the tasting notes for the featured wines:

Tasting Notes

2023 Rhys Vineyards “Anderson Valley Estate” Chardonnay
A delicate pale greenish gold, showcasing aromas of lime pith, wet chalkboard, and white flowers. The palate reveals a silky texture, blending lime and lemon pith with floral notes. Slightly soft acidity is balanced by a stony finish. Alcohol: 12.9%. Score: 8.5-9. Cost: $44.

2023 Rhys Vineyards “Santa Cruz Mountains Estate” Chardonnay
Pale gold with a hint of green, featuring scents of lemon pith, lime oil, and flint. Bright citrus flavors combined with a juicy texture lead to a stony finish. Alcohol: 13.3%. Score: ~9. Cost: $54.

2023 Nicolas Jay “Bishop Creek” Chardonnay
Palest gold with notes of citrus oil and crushed nuts. Lean with flavors of chalkboard and lemon pith, it offers a taut quality and a quartz-like depth. Alcohol: 13%. Score: ~9.5. Cost: $90.

2023 Nicolas Jay “Own Rooted” Pinot Noir
Light to medium garnet, boasting aromas of cranberry and raspberry. On the palate, a core of red berries showcases outstanding acidity and texture with dried floral hints. Alcohol: 13%. Score: 9-9.5. Cost: $100.

2023 Nicolas Jay “Bishop Creek” Pinot Noir
Medium garnet that offers raspberry and cherry scents. Bright flavors with mineral notes and fine-grained tannins create a juicy texture. Alcohol: 13%. Score: 9-9.5. Cost: $110.

2023 Rhys Vineyards “Santa Cruz Mountains Estate” Pinot Noir
Light to medium garnet, with perfumed raspberry and sour cherry aromas. The palate presents gauzy tannins with herbal notes. Alcohol: 13.9%. Score: 8.5-9. Cost: $54.

2023 Rhys Vineyards “Anderson Valley Estate” Pinot Noir
Medium garnet, revealing cherry and cranberry nuances. Bright flavors with fine tannins and herbal hints create a juicy finish. Alcohol: 13.8%. Score: ~9. Cost: $49.

2024 Kutch Winery “McDougall Ranch” Pinot Noir
Light to medium garnet with cherry and cranberry aromas balanced by herbal and citrus notes. Juicy flavors linger with a supple tannin structure. Alcohol: 13%. Score: 9-9.5. Cost: $77 (release late 2026).

2024 Kutch Winery “Bohan – Graveyard Block” Pinot Noir
Light garnet, featuring aromas of redwood bark and raspberry. A vibrant palate showcases raspberry and herbaceous notes wrapped in supple tannins. Alcohol: 13%. Score: ~9.5. Cost: $75 (release late 2026).

2024 Kutch Winery “Mindego Ridge – Ridgetop” Pinot Noir
Light to medium garnet with floral and berry aromas. Exceptional acidity and a complex palate offer a stunner of a wine. Alcohol: 13%. Score: 9.5-10. Cost: $69 (release late 2026).

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!