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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.6 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 56 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by gharter on 3/17/2024 & rated 91 points: PnP. Light ruby red, no bricking at the edge. Very aromatic with aromas of tart cherry, raspberry, black tea and spice. Still primary showing tart cherry, raspberry, black tea, spice, and light oak. Good balance with nice acidity and a smooth finish. (188 views) | | | Tasted by Wine Sparty on 3/3/2024 & rated 92 points: Nowhere near past its drinking window as the CT dates suggest. Delicious. (232 views) | | | Tasted by gharter on 3/3/2024 & rated 92 points: An amazing 2011 wine. Light ruby red. PnP, no decant needed. beautiful aroma of tart cherry, raspberry, black tea and spice. tart cherry, raspberry, black tea, spice, light oak flavors. good balance and a smooth finish. Showing really well. (235 views) | | | Tasted by kabert on 9/17/2023 & rated 94 points: What a dynamite bottle of pinot. Beautiful nose of tart cherries. Translucent and garnet-colored. Medium bodied, balanced acidity, and sophisticated (not lush) notes of cherries and tart strawberries. Edited on day two to add a point, from 93 to 94 — this got even better after the remaining 1/2 of the 750ml bottle was recorked and put in the fridge overnight — the acidity toned down a bit and the fruit put on weight. Sometimes pinot fruit “darkens” overnight in the fridge, but not in this case - just got even more complex and delicious. Very impressive. (441 views) | | | Tasted by mdefreitas on 5/13/2022 & rated 92 points: Tart cranberry, juicy cherry and lifted notes of orange rind and spice. Great with food. (1048 views) | | | Tasted by kabert on 4/1/2022 & rated 92 points: Another excellent aged RM pinot noir. I only discovered RM a couple years ago but since then I’ve been able to drink many of their wines - mostly Pinots and chardonnays - - going back to 2008. The only disappointing RM bottle I’ve had was a 2011 Napa Cab. This Occidental Vineyard pinot noir wasn’t as great as the 2011 Silver Eagle Vineyard pinot but it was still super. I really like the tartness of the strawberry and raspberry/cherry flavors, yet also the purity of fruit and the endless length of the finish. If you’re a fan of the style, then I expect you’ll find this wine still drinking well for several years to come. (908 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 1/1/2022 & rated 92 points: Prior bottle was 5 and a quarter years ago and the wine continues to show quite well. Earth red cherry, floral and spice notes on the nose. Medium bodied with a mix of brighter red cherry and more rounded red cherry upfront; impressive that it has retained the brightness over this length of time. Mid-body seems slightly deeper than previously, with the raspberry offset with lighter strawberry notes. Cranberry, tart cherry, earth and spices on the back and through the finish. Overall, slightly less elegant and balanced than it was five years ago, but holding up quite well and should be rewarding over the next few years. (994 views) | | | Tasted by klezman on 1/21/2021: Wow, excellent wine and still quite young even at 9.5 years old. Lots of floral red fruit, some tinges of orange, plenty of earth that changes to spices and back. Light yet deep. Continued to open up over hours and the few drops left in the bottle the next day were still smelling great. (2655 views) | | | Tasted by Plasmatini on 11/1/2020 & rated 92 points: This is beautiful. Delicious cherry & strawberry fruit, orange rind, spices, and earth. Light side, but lots of flavor. Great acidity with a long lingering finish. (1356 views) | | | Tasted by tomlee on 4/17/2020 & rated 93 points: Light red in color. 12.8% ABV. Gorgeous nose of red fruits, baking spices, orange rind and forest floor. Medium body with exquisite acidity. Light, lithe and earthy. Strawberry, citrus, rhubarb and earth on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Not the best vintage for Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir but TRB crafted a wine that is exceptional. Best over the next 1-2 years. (1508 views) | | | Tasted by RMundell on 5/26/2019 & rated 94 points: Drinking really nice right now. (1891 views) | | | Tasted by norzano on 3/29/2019 & rated 93 points: Raspberry, forest nose. Well integrated now, good red fruits on the front. (1742 views) | | | Tasted by Nanda on 10/26/2018 & rated 92 points: Firing on all cylinders and everything I love about this site. Bold spice and toasted herbs throughout, with cool polished black cherries. Well integrated. No reason to wait. (1938 views) | | | Tasted by LikeABC on 10/13/2018 flawed bottle: Corked (1841 views) | | | Tasted by rosenst1 on 1/15/2018 & rated 92 points: PnP. Medium red; a bit cloudy. Airy nose of red fruits and citrus. Medium weight on the palate with elegant flavors of blood orange and red berries. Good intensity on the finish with relatively high acids. This has a tension to it that makes it quite interesting to drink. None of the sweetness which can make New World Pinots a bit cloying and clumsy. The very cool vintage plays well here. Much better than last bottle. Not sure this gets better. (1952 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 9/29/2017 & rated 93 points: As delicious as the last bottle! (1697 views) | | | Tasted by brigcampbell on 7/30/2017: Blind. Guessed California Pinot and thought it might be Rivers-Maria. Took a stab and nailed the vintage too. Go figure.
Love this wine. Muddled clarity and a slightly washed out Crimson color. Strawberry and rhubarb flavors really had me thinking 2011 with a hint of orange rind. It doesn't come accros as lean, by any means. Fruit forward but not candied or cloy. Great wine. (2002 views) | | | Tasted by Frank Murray III on 7/29/2017: This is my final bottle of 11 Ox. Opened this about an hour ago, put a light chill on it, too. Aromatically, forest floor and some spice, like a cardamom/cinnamon mix. Texturally, this is on the plusher side, with tart strawberry, citrus rind and raspberry components. This to me is clearly the 11 vintage on display, as it shows that more acidic core that is often a part of what the 11s from many spots taste like to me. It's an acid lovers vintage, a tarter year, yet I dig acid and so this works well for me. Finishes with a little gamy/sauvage quality mixed with the red fruits and acid. As for a drink window, and as with many wines in 2011 that I have wrote about in my TNs (Copain comes to mind, especially the Kiser plot), I would not age this vintage. Drink it now for the qualities that are here and enjoy the vintage for what it is. (2005 views) | | | Tasted by rosenst1 on 1/3/2017 & rated 90 points: PnP. Resolved tannins, red fruits. A bit of acidity and tension as this seems less ripe, likely given the vintage. Not a lot of complexity. Disappointing given how much I have liked this vineyard from others such as Failla. (2304 views) | | | Tasted by VinoDiver on 12/23/2016 & rated 93 points: with 1 hour of air this had a wonder brightness that translated to a full nose and lingering finish of red fruit flavors (1786 views) | | | Tasted by Louvin on 11/28/2016 & rated 92 points: 2 hr decant, this opened with exuberant nose of darker fruit and a very dark color, a bit worried at this point. 2 hrs later this was still in a odd position, and tasting this was different than most any good pinots; primarily the dark fruit was characterized by a beet root and orange note, while very well balance and not out sized or alcoholic, the flavor profile was unique. The unseeming balance was appreciated. (1877 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 9/25/2016 & rated 93 points: Bright red cherry, floral and earth on the nose. Medium bodied (12.8% ABV) with exceptional purity and balance. Bright red cherry upfront along with light, bright red raspberry and then cranberry and tart red cherry in the background. Wonderful acidity in the background and through the finish that gives backbone to the bright red fruit and brings out the tartness of the background notes, effectively tying the whole wine together. Opened about an hour ahead of time and though it showed well then, it improved over the next three as the wine deepened and came into even better balance. Based on the fruit and especially the acidity, this wine can continue to improve and should last several more years. Beautiful pinot noir. (1764 views) | | | Tasted by Bellissimo on 7/30/2016: Served at dinner with friends. Didn't focus much on the wine. Cloudy in the glass with juicy cranberry, pomegranate, orange peel. Great acids. Drinking very nicely. (1854 views) | | | Tasted by TLR on 6/18/2016 & rated 92 points: drinking well now. really nice acidity and river rock feel and taste. Quite complex and has a passive cherry cranberry under note. overall a nice pinot. (1756 views) | | | Tasted by Acohen on 1/24/2016 & rated 91 points: Cranberry, nice acidity and tart cherry with some orange peel notes and nice finish (1855 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Sonoma...A Thrill a Minute (Jul 2013)
(Rivers-marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Rivers-Marie Producer websitePinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Sonoma CountyMendocino CountySonoma Coast * Sonoma Coast AVA (Wikipedia)
* Sonoma Coast AVA (Wine Institue) |
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