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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.4 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 75 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by toddjerry on 2/22/2024 & rated 93 points: Pop and pour, deep dark red color. Big and burly, grippy tannins, opposite of delicate, I don't get the typical orange rind or sour cranberry, more blackberry tones. One of the bigger RM pinots I have ever had. Has plenty of life left, would wait a few more years. (284 views) | | | Tasted by Rayburn on 2/17/2024 & rated 94 points: wonderfully alive with plenty of red fruit and a soft core of tannins. Finish is medium long. How many more years does it have? (243 views) | | | Tasted by galewskj on 7/24/2023 & rated 94 points: Wines That Don't Suck at Ciao Bella: Pop and pour, that hallmark Rivers Marie cranberry and orange rind. The wine manages to seem dense with earth and yet lively at the same time. This seemed more resolved and more nuanced than the 2014 regular Summa in the flight, which was no slouch. (761 views) | | | Tasted by AGELVIS on 7/23/2023 & rated 95 points: PNP. Deep hazy garnet color, with modest rim fade. Pomegranate, dark raspberry, violet, ginger, black tea, and subtle raisin. Smooth, dry palate. Firm, full tannins on the long finish.
I cannot believe how well this has aged. Absolutely wonderful structure and complexity. (1260 views) | | | Tasted by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine on 7/23/2023 & rated 94 points: Craig Tasting - WTDS (Ciao Bella - Bloomington): This was flighted with a 2014 RM Summa. Both were surprisingly good, but as Joe noted, this was a little more nuanced and also better integrated than its younger half brother.
Prep: PnP
Nose: dark cherry with some cigar box and spice notes.
Palate: Creamed cherry, cranberry and orange peel with notes of forest floor and birch and tea leaves. tannins were fine and acidity was well integrated, but plenty to keep the fruit lively. I don't see this getting much better, but I also don't see it fading too soon, i.e., it is in a nice place, but no hurry to drink up. Solid 94+ for me. (933 views) | | | Tasted by CMN on 4/10/2022 & rated 93 points: Dark red fruits with orange rind, baking spice and a beguiling cooling note (think eucalyptus without the flavor). Medium+ bodied with excellent concentration. There's enough acidity to keep the palate lively. In a brilliant space now; a crowd pleaser. While no rush to drink, I don't see room for improvement. (1254 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 8/6/2021 & rated 94 points: Wonderful sour red cherry, rhubarb, and earth on the aromatic nose and layered palate with floral and orange peel notes on the long finish with lovely acidity. Paired beautifully with wild salmon! (1474 views) | | | Tasted by GrapeScott on 7/31/2021 & rated 90 points: Drinking well right now, if not the most memorable of the Summa OVs that I've tasted. Has a lot of that trademark tangerine peel and dusty red cherry fruit that I associate with RM Summa pinots, along with some baking spice and very bright/tart acidity. I am lover of acidic wines, but this was pushing the envelope a bit, and seemed somewhat out of balance. (1492 views) | | | Tasted by brigcampbell on 3/26/2021: Sean's Best Book Club Ever: Blind: wasn't really sure, thought burg in a new world style
Nose is definitely old world, saddle, leather, etc. Rocky red cherry flavors. The combination of those two things gave me pause, not if I liked it, because I did but where in the world was it from. (1728 views) | | | Tasted by Frank Murray III on 3/24/2021: Tasted blind, paired blind with the 2010 Summa. I then retasted unblind the following day, so the note that follows shows two tasting experiences. When we did this blind, the wine exhibited aromas of cinnamon stick and also a kind of bloody note. Juicy, darker berry, a tangy mix of boysenberry and blueberry fruit, along with orange rind that helps express the acidify. The core of the fruit is subtly jammy, reminding me of a fruit spread. On day 2, this picked some of the vintage spiciness, with plenty of pine needle, and the fruit seeming to veer more towards a sour cherry note, less fresh than yesterday. Finishes with orange rind and licorice notes. Overall, this is still drinking fine and objectively I liked the wine more yesterday that I did after it saw the overnight air. Keep that in mind as one data point if you are going to open one. (1937 views) | | | Tasted by wwuoc on 10/31/2020: Give it to nick (1312 views) | | | Tasted by Burgundy Al on 10/3/2020 & rated 89 points: Mature and ripe black berry on nose and palate with baking spice that ends with a slightly sweet finish. Very enjoyable now, and better than last time tasted a few years back, but clearly time to drink up. (2022 views) | | | Tasted by Grape_ape on 4/20/2020 & rated 93 points: This was excellent. Still very fresh, bright red fruit, some earth and herbs starting to show in the background. For some reason it seems, sadly, that I only ever bought Summ Old Vines this one time. (1266 views) | | | Tasted by clayfu on 4/16/2020: Sharing the same bottle of wine with friends - Covid 19 style: oh my. Gorgeous bright crystal clear crunchy cranberry fruit. Elegant and precise the fruit glides effortlessly down the ol gullet. There’s a background of growing herbal spice to compliment that gorgeous clean fruit. The acid is clean and subtle melding perfectly with the fruit and enhancing its primary accessibility. While the 07 was broad and a little clunky, the 09 was right in the zone. Excellent. (2517 views) | | | Tasted by Bellissimo on 3/20/2020: Decanted an hour, shared while hunkered down watching a moving. Expressive fruit driven wine, not extracted or goopy but just bright tangy fruit with a lovely lingering finish. Cranberry, raspberry, orange peel and pine needles abound with some baking spices in the background. Won't be confused with a Burg but that's OK. (1165 views) | | | Tasted by Chrisinroch on 1/21/2020 & rated 90 points: PnP, active cellar since purchase, served w rib steak
Crazy bright tangy Pinot... black tea dominates in a really interesting and pleasant way. Red fruited and edgy, with tang and those tea-like tannins on the back end. I might drink these up. (1368 views) | | | Tasted by wythes on 9/11/2019 & rated 92 points: First impression is a good, aged brick color. The nose on this wine is off the charts! I got a strong black cherry & floral component that I loved. The wine was a bit sharp at first, but mellowed with some time. I really liked this wine. (1424 views) | | | Tasted by CMN on 8/25/2019: Cranberry, black cherry, the signature RM orange peel, baking spice and a gentle floral note. Medium+ bodied with a plush texture and excellent concentration. There's enough acidity to keep the wine from being weighty. On pop and pour the flavors seemed a bit disjointed, but it seemed to come together after an hour. I don't see much reason to hold any longer. (1336 views) | | | Tasted by Nanda on 8/4/2019 & rated 92 points: Side by side with '09 Dujac MSD. More effusive here on the nose with bold black cherry filled with orange peel and spice. Palate is rich and more sweet than the Duajc, as you'd expect. Different than the Dujac, not surprisingly, but quite nice. (1405 views) | | | Tasted by Frank Murray III on 6/6/2019: Weeknight Wines Blind: Served blind next to 2 other US Pinot Noirs (which also happened to be other vintages of Summa OV) and one Burgundy (also blind). I finished my last bottle from my own cellar on NYE 2017, so it was cool to see this be revealed when we discussed the flight. Of note, this was the final wine of the flight, preceded by the 2007 and 2004, along with the 2014 Dominique Laurent CdlR GC Burg. This vintage of 2009 for me shows a lot of cool complexity, as in the meaty/sauvage note. Fresh red berry, a bit jammy too but this is 2009, a vintage that has often showed more open textured and riper with other producers I enjoy. Finishes citrusy. A terrific vintage for Summa OV. (2036 views) | | | Tasted by cobbpa on 4/19/2019 & rated 93 points: Loved this. Tones of dry red & dark red fruits, with spice & florals on top. Broad textured but silky. Long, full finish with acid that feels citrusy. (1352 views) | | | Tasted by thelostverse on 1/12/2019 & rated 94 points: Opened and decanted for several hours prior to dinner of red wine braised pork chops. Been almost six years since I opened my first bottle. What I learned was that I wasted the first bottle by opening it that young. This was an amazing bottle of wine. Nose of strawberry and cherry with some floral as well. Palate is similar with a long finish. Mouthfeel is liquid velvet. I will sit on my vertical and let the rest of the vintages age quietly. (1463 views) | | | Tasted by mdefreitas on 10/21/2018 & rated 94 points: Another fantastic showing. Not a shy wine... this just bursts on the palate with fleshy, ripe, juicy fruit. Perhaps not what I would normally go for in a Pinot Noir, but this works, as it is balanced with firm but accessible structure. This finishes with a pleasing, citric acidic aftertaste. Very long and very delicious. A "Yum" wine. (1673 views) | | | Tasted by mdefreitas on 8/17/2018 & rated 94 points: Nice bottle, bursting with ripe cherry, cranberry, wood spice and dried orange peel. The tannins are well-mannered and polished. For a "bigger" style of Pinot, this is a very nice example. Seems to be in a great drinking window. (1600 views) | | | Tasted by Mike Dildine on 4/20/2018 & rated 95 points: Showing very well! (1809 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| 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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