What a treat! Dynamite on its own and with pasta dinner. Tart cherry, touch of smoke and cinnamon. Was still kicking at lunch today, though the fruit wasn’t as tasty.
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Incredible showing for a 14-year old entry-level pinot, but not surprising given TRBs track record. I only had a few small tastes because this was ostensibly opened for my wife as her "Friday night wine," but I was shocked at how well this held up over multiple nights. Has that trademark Rivers-Marie bright acidity, orange peel, dust and spice notes around a core of black cherry and raspberry fruit.
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Fathers Day Grilled Salmon Cranberry and great acidity. Lots of brambly black Cherry and Dark plums Touch of smoke…. Amazing but need to drink up soon.
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Cloudy. Dark reddish/purple. Dark cherry flavors and a touch of smoke, with a delicate beam of acidity carrying the fruit along the finish. At this point (12 years in), I expect the fruit has lost some of its fat from what it was (I bought this bottle at auction recently). However, this had a similar delicious tart-cherry profile as other older RM pinots I’ve had recently, and it went fantastically with ahi tuna tacos and some salty chips and salsa. Some may say it’s faded; I’d say it’s comfortably mature. In my book anyway, this will drink well for at least another 5 years. Edit - on day two, at a late lunch the next day, this was even better- the fruit sweeter and the finish coming through as uniquely spicy. More like a 92+.
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This bottle was a pleasant surprise. It was very cloudy and sort of leaned heavily toward burnt umber in color. Sweetness has subsided. Wow, what a nose. I imagine that chemically something is going on with this, but whatever it is, give me more. Complex, damp decaying leaves, forest floor and still some fruit and enough acidity for structure. No brett. This showed much, much better than a 2008 Summa Old vines a year ago, which had simply faded into something meh. Sometimes, aging wine produces unexpected results good and bad. In the case of this bottle, very good.
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Ripe black and red cherry with sweet baking spice. Good richness, but simpler than what I recall from a few years back. While not fading, I think the "sweet spot" for this wine is less than 11 years after the vintage.
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To be honest, this wine was a little basic. Tart cherries and red plums over a base of tartaric acid, like crushed SweeTarts candies. I expected more from this producer, which I am generally a big fan of.
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Rotating Dinner Series: Rivers Marie (The Bristol - Chicago, IL): Tasted along side the '14 R-M Sonoma Coast Pinot. This shows a classic SC nose of sweet red cherry, raspberry, baking spice and herb. The palate is round, plush and so juicy. Good initial intensity but fades a bit on the finish. Really love the aromas in this wine. Quite nice.
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The Rotating Dinners, II.3: Rivers Marie 2008-2014 (Chicago, IL): Interesting; I had had this wine about four years ago and thought it to tasted a bit too much like sour strawberry juice. I certainly didn't get that impression today. The nose on this was really aromatic, with a nice exotic mix of black and red fruit, some spice, and a very mild cola note. The palate starts off very nicely too, with a concentrated attack with the same luscious fruit, but it tapers off quickly on the back end. And despite the almost 10 years of age, this doesn't display any secondary characteristics.
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Excellent spot right now. Poured a shot out on opening and aired the rest for 1-2 hours. Berries on the front, thins out a drop in the back, but in a way that allowed for our NY steak to be in harmony with the wine. While this was my last bottle, I. Have no regrets drinking it now, nor would I have qualms grabbing a few more for 2018 drinking
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Showed better than my prior bottle from just over six months ago (June 2016). Much more blackfruit and floral notes on the nose this time. Remained medium bodied, fully integrated and well balanced. Prior bottle showed more a redfruit note, but this one was all blackfruit with black cherry and blackberry upfront (still with hints of brightness), backed with black raspberry, hints of redfruit and then tart blackfruit notes. This bottle showed more complexity than my prior bottle, but with similar elements of balance. Tartness comes in with good strength towards the end and the wine finishes with solid mineral notes and more length than prior. Clearly at peak as all the elements are present, but I see no signs or concerns of an imminent decline. I'd drink it over the next year or so to capture this level, but would also have no worries buying more if it became available.
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Big nose. Palate with great fruit - black, cranberry. Medium finish. There was a fine sediment that made the wine murky but did not detract from the flavors
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Sad to see the last of out '09s now gone. High on the delicious scale with tart raspberry, pomegranate, dark cherries over some pine needles and orange peel. Exceptional mouthfeel. Spouse couldn't believe this was a $25 bottle. Screaming QPR.
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Raspberry, cranberry and tartness on the nose. Medium bodied and wonderfully round and smooth through the middle, especially after being open for an hour. Raspberry upfront with strawberry and cranberry behind. Acidity based tartness comes in towards the back and through the finish providing structure and balance. Hints of minerals on the finish, but generally a slow fade-out of the tart fruit. Not quite as much complexity as some other vintages of R-M Sonoma Coast but retains the excellent balance between fruit and structure. Fantastic value and drinking very well at present. May gain a little more balance between fruit and acidity with some additional time, but I'd drink this within the next couple of years.
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Spice-driven aromatic start with ripe, maturing red cherry and berry. Palate slightly more mature with moderate intensity, but good overall balance. I find this wine to be one of the great Pinot Noir value wines in the world almost every vintage. I haven't had this since just after release and enjoyed it more tonight than earlier.
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Weather sucks - Wines don't (GHT): Great showing. Basic bottling. Clearly from California. Just delicious without being syrah-like or over done. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is great with cherries, dark cherries, a bit of candied qualities and slight earthiness. Great texture. On the palate, cherries, sweet sour cherry candy if that makes sense. Some earthy layers. I can see Burg snobs salivating at the thought of tearing a wine like this apart. Too bad for them. It is delicious. $25 - it is/was a smoking value. No hurry at this point, i am sure some evolution is still going on. Worked well with the food.
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4 years later, and this is still better on day 2. Pop and pour, there was a fair amount of alcohol on this. It also had some unresolved tannin. Still quite nice. On day 2, totally in the zone, cola, cherry, raspberry, orange peel, spice, nice acid, smooth. I probably should have decanted this for an hour.
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Burnt orange-red hue. Red berry nose. Strawberry, cherry, smooth, and vibrant. Seems like it could age even longer. Terrific effort-- especially if you are looking for wine to pop without food.
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This was all over the place. Juicy fruit and tart. The nose did have a nice strong citrus thing going on that called for your repeated attention. But the wine didn't drink real even or integrated. Definitely more of a cocktail wine that an elegant dinner companion. This might even out in feel but you'd lose the flashiness of the fruit and I don't think there is the depth that would bring forth much in the way of secondary characters. Drink.
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Wines over Labor day Weekend; 9/5/2015-9/8/2015: Really a fun drink right now. Still young but accessible and delicious. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is all about sour cherries. On the palate, great texture. Lots of sour cherries. Depth. Light tannins. Long finish. Enjoyable wine for sure.
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Lovely raspberry, spice, and sour vibrant red cherries on the nose and palate with underlying earthy notes. Moderate finish with refreshing acidity. Incredible QPR!
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Popped and poured, then drank over 2+ hours. Aroma is red cherry with a bit of cola. Taste has red cherry, with quite a bit of acidity still on the finish. This was enjoyable in a "tasty" sort of way, but it was not showing complexity.
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Opened at E&S with locals and Vino Bevo in town. Similar notes as previous bottles. Paired perfectly with my tuna entree. This is showing no signs of slowing down - I only wish I had more.
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Fresh, bright, and energetic notes of raspberries, cranberries, and candied orange peel. Round and fruity on the palate, followed by tea-like tannins on the finish. A real treat to drink and a marked difference from my first bottle.
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Domaine End of Year Party (Chicago, IL): This smelled and tasted more like sour strawberry juice than wine. Certainly, the alcohol did not come off very hard (and there's definitely credit for that), but I prefer my wine to taste a bit more... like wine.
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PnP. A nice surprise. This was very pleasing with red berries, spice and forest floor. Bright acidity, which was needed due to fairly rich fruit. Balanced tannins. Structure and fruit suggests this has plenty of life left. Good now, but no judgement on when peak might be. Decant optional as not much further development over the evening and was pretty much unchanged on night 2.
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Tartness of the cherry has dialed back a little bit replaced with a stronger raspberry note. Acid has also toned down with some time. A great QPR but this year is not as strong as the others I've had.
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Lots of wines at Tommy's Clambake (Tommy's): Purple/ruby in color. The nose is great with dark cherries, showing some layering. Lush, full bodied texture. Not a Pinot for those who like them delicate, yet it is not a monster either. I love the intensity and package. Lots of black cherry fruit. Delicious.
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14.1% alcohol. This is just a juicy, smoking good wine. Delightfully light on its feet and zesty. The acidity adds to the juiciness of the cherry fruit. Just terrific. A-
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Notes of cola, cherry and earth, as well as baking spices and red fruit. Balanced; flavors of cherries and dark fruit, with a cinnamon tinged finish. Long finish. Elegant, with a subtle earthiness that proved a nice match with the morel and chanterelle risotto.
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Opened at Anvil. This is hitting on all cylinders right now. Black cherry, spice and nice earthiness. Pairing with some morels and a chantrelle risotto was sublime. I truly believe this is the best QPR in Cali Pinot Noir.
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This is such a nice Pinot and a perfect expression of the variety. Smoke and earth are clear and extroverted but they do not dominant, in fact, they highlight the wonderful fruit. This is a well balanced and delicious wine.
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just getting around to my 1st of 4 bottles of this.. very aromatic nose of red fruit, spice, citrus zest and maybe some pine. juicy, tart red fruit an interesting mix of spice (more that just the standard "baking spice"), along with some earthy notes and a good dose of tart, citrusy acidity that keeps this really fresh. I can't fault people for drinking these early, but I think this is just getting into a good drinking window now..
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A great showing for this wine -- aromatics of cherry, spice and a hint of menthol. Can't believe I opened this -- my last bottle of the 2009 Sonoma Coast pinot -- on a Wednesday. But damn it is good.
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Black cherries orange peel, cinnamon on the nose. The palate is simple and straightforward. Delicious and bright. Nice acidity to this with tart cherries and more citrus. Clean finish.
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Fantastic. Has lost some weight since I last had it, but showed great dark & red berries throughout, with a slightly tart base. Faint tea note, a citrus curve on the backend, and great texture & length.
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Good intensity for the "bare-bones" in the lineup. Cherry, strawberry and loads of misc spices dominate the palate. Very good balance at this stage, I would drink up.
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Big nose right out of the bottle. Fun just to smell it. Good fruit and acid balance. This was not showing to be super complex, but it's an elegant Pinot that was enjoyable with or without food. Drinking well now.
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Light color. Strong aromas of black cherries and spice (could that be cinnamon? Fine tannins; brightly acidic. Long finish. Even at the entry-level, Rivers-Marie just doesn't disappoint.
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Brought to a restaurant with spouse. Faire was kind of eclectic but the wine went well with a number of dishes. Pomegranate, tart cherry, baking spices with a little brown sugar and earthy undertone. Lots of California sunshine in this glass.
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Boysenberry, black cherry, pine needle, a little orange, and a hint of vinyl on the nose. Cranberry, black cherry, earth, sage, boysenberry, and some pepper on the palate. Juicy acidity, good balance, decent finish. I'm really liking this bottle.
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I've really liked this wine in the past, but I feel like it has waned, or maybe this bottle was a bit tired. I still get that lovely cherry and rhubarb pie on the nose. with cinammon and pepper. The palate is tangy and earthy, with sweet cherry, cranberry and earth. Flavors of sage and spice linger onto the finish. This seems to be developing some more secondary flavors and, while I like them, it's lost some of the intensity of youth.
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There's a lot to remark on with this wine, but the sum is less than its parts for me. Lots to take notice of. Nose of woodsy cherries, baking spices, very big, rich, dark, chocolatey. Tart, sour cherries on the palate, cranberries, very acidic. Biting. Short finish.
I can understand why this wine is liked. But to me, it's a bit disjointed. Lacks the elegance, power, smoothness I look for in top-level Pinots. My dining companion and I thought this had too much in common with juice.
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14.1% alcohol. Delightfully pure cherry fruit here. A bit dusty on the nose and palate. Real depth and pleasure at an amazing price. A hint of orange peel on the fruit on the palate. A-
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Vinturi'd: nose of red berries and loads of spices. On the palate, the red berries completely dominate with just a hint of spice on the finish. No heat on the finish of this balanced wine.
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Dark purple. Nose of black cherry, cedar and earth. This starts of as very fruit forward on the palate, but just when you think it's going to be over ripe and hollow, the acidity kicks in and lifts it to an elegant finish. Really intersting wine that I suspect will be better over the next 5 to 10 years.
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Seems to be fleshing out nicely since release. Sappy snappy with plentiful fruit and acid. Not overdone and shedding its baby fat. More time should reward this.
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Decanted for two hours and drank over the next couple of hours. Eventually developed a nice nose of red cherry, baking spice with a little nuance of cola. On the palate, the fruit disappeared and the oak dominated with the acidity out of balance. The finish was fine but this was not the same wine I drank six months ago. I am guessing that this has entered a dumb phase.
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I drank half on day 1, then pumped & set the rest on the counter. The next day brought a very different, much improved wine.
Day 1's note reads: cranberry, dark cherry, brown spice & candied nose. Tasting brings high acid--flawed? Acid is far out of balance. All citric cut & a tart back end; red fruits show up on the back end. Low 80s? Flawed?
Day 2 went something like: similar nose as on day 1. Palate is much more inviting now. Either the acid has settled down or the texture has expanded--probably some of both--to bring great balance to this wine. Now enjoyably ripe, tart (yet soft) red fruits play against great orange citrus cut; all with a comforting brown spice undertone. Good length to the finish that leaves me anxious for more. 90+ today.
My hands are off until 2 years from now, and I'll have high hopes then.
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Compared to previous bottles, the bright red fruits are not well represented and the flavors are lacking focus, struggling to find meaning. Still a solid wine but below expectations.
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14.1% alcohol. Bright cherry color. Fantastic nose of black cherry fruit and a bit of earth and spice. In the mouth, vibrant and juicy, with beautiful black cherry fruit, a good spice and earth streak, and bright acidity. Young but just beautiful. Just terrific. A-
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Pop and pour. My last bottle and it rocked. This wine has seemed to come along nicely and improved. Not sure there is a better QPR for a SC Pinot out there. Red fruits with just a touch of truffle on the finish.
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Really nice especially for the price, does feel like more expensive bottles. Very good weight and density and quality of fruit. Definitely in the modern style but it does not feel fake or overdone. Bright red cherry, some oak, cola and hints of orange peel. Pretty good balance, long finish.
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A big rich Pinot, particularly at the front end. Dark berry, black cherry some acidity kicking in on the back end. Farly long finish with some savory notes. Really nice at twice the price.
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Saturday Afternoon at Ian's (Ian's House - Alexandria, VA): This is the second time I've had this wine, and I really love it. It's gotta be one of the best deals in California pinot noir history. Rich cherry, rhubarb, cassis, licorice on the nose. The palate is pure Sonoma Coast love, with tangy cherries, rhubarb pie, plush tannins and balanced acid. I love the freshness of this wine. Absoultely delicious.
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Opened and drank over 2hrs. A huge nose of big bright red fruit. So perfumed. Straightforward and delicious wine, but I wish the alcohol was less present.
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Another terrific showing. Nose has delicious cranberry and spice notes. Palate is zippy with snappy acidity and crunch red fruit. Great lift, persistence and presence from start to finish. A quality appellation bottling!
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Racy and vibrant tart cherry structure - smooth finish and medium body - but a little too tart to be more then just very good for me, but still a great bargin.
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Still quite young, but bouncing with lots of red fruits and traditional Sonoma Coast PN flavors. Sorry I didn't buy more of these 2009s, but stocked up on the 2010s!
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Drank this over dinner with some work colleagues. It suffered the one glass across four people mega pour syndrome and I finished my glass within about 30 mins of the bottle being opened. My take away, albeit short, was that the wine had progressed some since my last botte, which I had not thought was all that great with that one, seeming a little sweet for me. This one had the TRB core of acidity/tartness and the nice fruit core. I simply wish I would have kept another glass for tomorrow. Oh welll, this was my last 2009 SC so it's onto the 2010, which I tasted last year and thought from bottle was really a step up.
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Great nose filled with sappy red Pinot fruit. Sweet nose with baking spice and a cherry/strawberry fruit profile. Palate isn't as heavy as one would think from the nose. Decently lean, with vibrant acid and tart cranberry fruit. Went from creamy when first opened to lean, acidic, tart and then back to somewhere in the middle. I think this needs time to shake out.
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Tasted non blind at a wine tasting. Opened and served immediately.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of cola, thistle, black berries and some flowers. Flavors of black berries, black cherries, black raspberries and a hint of grapefruit. Medium to tart acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold.
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Not as good as what I remember from past vintages. Really tart cherry profile and a little leaner than previous Sonoma Coast bottlings. These wines have aged well in the past for CA Pinot so I'm going to re-visit my other 2009's in a year.
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it's really interesting how TRB is able to get such intense, rich, fruit extraction without it seeming flabby or hot while maintaining such good acidity. the nose is all cranberry, orange zest, and sap. the flavors of of red fruit, citrus zest, and spice are wound around a firm spine of acid which makes the wine seem juicy and lush. it's a great bottle for the price.
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Pop and pour and sipped all alone (without food). As so often happens, the announcement from the winery of an upcoming new vintage release is the catalyst to open a prior vintage of the wine- to check in and help define whether there will be a next purchase order. In this case, likely yes, depending upon price. Good vibrant purple color but very cloudy. Murky, suggesting some homemade wine. I do not recall this wine being as murky in past bottles. Nice nose of earth, spice and red berries. The spicy component hits you at first, and then recedes as the earth and fruit speaks up. The finish is crisp and clean, although a bit short.
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Another absurd QPR. Briefly decanted, maybe 30 minutes in a pie plate. Oppulent classic pinot nose, with some cola, candied cherries, smoke, and pencil. Everlasting finish; could still taste it when I awoke the next day, and yes I brushed and gargled! Held up nicely for a second day tasting (vacuum sealed and stored in the fridge), though not as powerful as day 1. Also probably too cold on day 2, though I served it quite chilled on day 1 as well, sub 60. Preffered it more once it warmed, however, though a guest liked it chilled. Can't wait for the '10s. Bravo, TRB.
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A 2008 seemed open for business a few months ago, so I pushed my luck with 2009. This is showing a bit clunky right now. Youthful, tannic and dark. Better on day 2, best on day 3. Hold.
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Friday Night Blind Tasting (Weygandt Wines - Washington, D.C.): The nose on this wine is heavenly: strawberry rhubarb, licorice, rose petal and orange rind. On the palate, this wine is fresh and fruity, but balanced with delicious cranberry fruit. There's a distinct orange rind flavor that I absolutely love. It tastes so fresh and pure. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine. Tasted blind: 94 points. I was a bit tipsy at this point of the night, but it wasn't just that. Everyone loved this wine and it was several people's wine of the night.
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Tasted blind N funk, green stems, red fruit, minerals P red berries, minerals, herbs F average length, good acidity This was impressive to me as I am not a big Cali Pinot person
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Popped and poured at dinner. Nose is ahead of palate at this point. Red and dark fruits on nose with a nice earthiness on palate. This was better with food than alone. Very nice.
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I was disappointed with this wine. Very dark, unusually so for a pinot. Cooked cherries and berries, along with significant forest floor notes and an almost stench of wet leaves on the nose. Black cherries on the palate -- the fruits are huge. I expected a lot more minerality. Somewhat short finish.
Overall, I was hoping for a bit less fruit and more brightness. The stewed, cooked fruits were fun to notice but were overbearing.
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I agree with blaine below, still too young. Very primary at this stage. Took an hour and a half in the decanter to come alive and by that time most of it was gone! Should have opened earlier. Fairly rich for a pinot (but thin compared to some cali pinots!), dominated by black and red fruits with bits of that trademark orange peel that I love. Not crazy about this at this stage but enjoyable. As it is now 88 pts but with room to grow.
I thought a pinot would pair well with my homemade french onion soup but this was too bold a wine. Pair with richer food. I'm thinking steak topped with caramelized onions and mushrooms in a wine reduction (made w/ this pinot of course) and bits of Gorgonzola.
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So good. Just the right balance of fruit and slight funk. Smooth and delicious. And such a bargain at $25. I would buy a case of this stuff if they let me.
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R-M should patent this orange rind thing they have going on because I find it addicting. I served one bottle of this at a dinner party a month ago that was drained in short order, and then this past weekend a repeat visitor begged me to open another one, so I guess she found it addictive as well. Raspberries and black tea on the nose with creamy accents, and a delicious palate of berries and longish finish showcasing this interesting R-M orange rind/orange pekoe flavor.
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a second look at this wine shows that it has appreciated a little time sleeping. a deep brownish red, the nose shows aromas of sap, black tea, soil, raspberry, and rose - very aromatic. the palate shows red fruit, spice, and subtle earth that is lifted nicely by juicy acidity. it's full-volume cali pinot but with great structure and acidity. i can't see these getting much better and they seem open for business.
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Pop and pour, then tasted over 3 days…Just a great wine. Fruit, backbone, and balance all there. This is drinking wonderfully now, but see no reason this won’t still be great or better in a few years.
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Very open palate of ripe cranberry, plum skin and tart cherry. Mid-palate brings some nice citrus type acidity that lingers through the full finish. Not terribly complex, but not trying to be either- just pure tasty fruit that if served to non geeks would disappear in 10 minutes. Always a great purchase.
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Intriguing nose with flavors of cherries, cranberries and citrus. Plentiful acidity combined with no noticeable influence of oak makes this a wine of great purity and decency.
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A big-boned Pinot Noir, with dark cherry, spice. cola and citrus skin notes. Good acidity bite with a medium length. Quite a nice bargain at the release price.
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Pop and pour and followed over 7 hours. Tasted with food (veal spiedini) and then tasted on its own. This has an earthy and spicy nose. Ont he palate, cranberries, pomegranate and raspberry. Quite tart. Wine shows depth of fruit flavor with that bracing tartness to it. Fades a bit on the finish.
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A baby, but open for business at this young stage. Will definitely develop with time, but gorgeous. Wish I could get a case of these ever year. Great QPR, and a he'll of a great wine!
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Holy molly, what a beautiful wine!!! Layers of perfume, acidity to make it last, long finish and this wine outperformed 2005 La Pousse d'Or Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravières by a nautical mile.
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This bottle was fun! Was it way too primary? Yes. A little over the top for me? Probably. Hard to say how long you should hold these since the structure is difficult to gauge with all of that beautiful fruit in your face. Compared to the 2008 at the same stage, this wine has a much less prominent acid cut. Really enjoyable if you haven't had this style in a while.
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This bottle was good! Really good! Much different appearance than previous bottle. This was almost a cherry/orange milkshake in flavor and visually. This bottle must have been pulled at the end of a barrel or something as it was so dense there was no clarity or crispness to the color at all. It was as if there was a lot of stuff suspended in it. With all that being said the nose just jumped out of the glass similiar to prior bottle. In the mouth it still needs a little time but the fruit and spice is just fantastic. For the price this is tough to beat.
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This showed a bit better than the last bottle I had about two months ago. Still leaning towards the heavier side of things, with cola, cloves and tree bark, but this somehow seems a bit more "pretty", with the rose petal and cherry flavors providing a bit more of the Pinot Noir character I like. This should be interesting to follow over time.
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Nicely balanced while still somewhat in your face. I'm starting to understand what all the fuss is about. Very good, no hurry, lots of life yet, still very primary. Great acidic backbone, finish could have been a little longer...
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P&P and followed over 2 nights. Still not ready and very one dimensional with cherry tart fruit. Will need time to balance out. Withholding judgement until another year or two.
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Very fruit forward, with juicy red cherries dominating. Enjoyable, although lacking some of the sophistication of the '08 version. I suspect another year or so would help, with 1-2 points improvement possible.
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Not really sure what to think of this wine, as I have always had very good experiences with Rivers Marie. Clean, fresh and floral aromas of raspberries, wet stone, and rose petals. Sounds promising? But wait. Tart and hollow on the palate and exceedingly acidic with simple cranberry fruit. To be honest, it was almost like drinking red wine vinegar.
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This wine does not lack for much. Beautifully rich and dark on the palate - concentrated bing cherries and smoke - with a strong, low resonance acidity providing structure and balance. On the nose, smoke cherry and root beer predominate and make a definite Pinot combination. An excellent wine and fun to drink.
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I love the nose on this wine. I could just dive in to the aromas of Kirsch, cranberry and forest. This is on the more powerful side but very well balanced. Nice finish.
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14.1% ABV. Cloudy, somewhat translucent dark garnet in the glass. Tangy lime zest high-toned cherry fruit nose. Zest red cherry, tomato, citrus. High-toned attack of grapefruit and tangy cherry. Maybe this is an off bottle, but I am not crazy about this, at least in the way the 2008 SC PN bowled me over at first taste.
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Popped and poured. A brawny, broad-shoulder style of Pinot with copious dark flavors, cola, black cherry and raspberry, cloves and tree bark. Tangy, with adequate acidity, but this seems a bit forced and perhaps not a style of Pinot I enjoy; or perhaps this needs time to integrate. A bit more integrated on the second day, but still leaning towards the dark side.
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Color is a red/pink/purple amalgam, clear at the rim. The nose is heavy on spice, with layered cherry, cranberry, raspberry fruits, and a citric orange much like one of those antibacterial sprays. It is light medium in body, with a smooth though not quite silky texture. Lots of tartness on the palate - cranberry/orange with some sappiness and steminess. It finishes a bit harshly to me - the acidity and heat take over if I take more than a modest sip. There is quite a lot I like about this - the complexity, the tension, a sexy sappiness - but it still seems very gangly and awkward right now. To me, it's intellectually fascinating, it's stimulating, but it's not delicious right now. Will it come together and be an all-star? I suppose this is what wine and baseball are all about. Jason Heyward, are you Dave Winfield, or are you Joe Charboneau?
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On initial pop and pour, boysenberry, black cherry, cocoa powder, eucalyptus, orange zest, and cedar on the nose. Tart cherry, boysenberry, plum candy, herbs, black tea, and a little vanilla on the palate. Good acidity. After a day in the fridge, the flavors tilt toward red fruit, and the acidity takes over a bit. I prefer the first day at this point. 89+
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Really young and fruit forward. Chocolate, dark cherry on the nose. A bit hot on the palate but seems to settle in with some time. Nice bottle but too young to assess at this point.
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Some nights some wines just hit you right. Big nose of chocolate covered cherries with a hint of mint. Smooth palate with orange rind, raspberries and wouth watering acid. Long clean finish. Great pinot.
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Tart cherry, hint of citrus, vanilla, with a strong oak finish. Nice QPR. Very young, hope it gets a little better with age but very easy to drink now. Did not decant just popped and poured.
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One of my favorite QPR Pinots year in and out. Full nose has cranberry, sour cherry, forest floor and a kiss of oak. Palate has bright and rich fruit with a burst of juicy acidity. Chalky tannins add textural interest. Medium finish of sour-cran-apple. Yum. This is great stuff and hard to beat for $25.
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Consistent with a prior bottle (91), this was poured following am ethereal Kosta-Browne 2009 Sonoma Coast (94) and, while not quite in that league, everyone thought it held up fairly well in comparison.
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infanticide! aromas of cherry, strawberry, and citrus zest with a note of warm soil that progressed to black tea with time. on the palate, still a lot of acidity and tartness with reticent fruit. needs 6 months to a year. lots of potential and a real treat for the price.
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Drank this one WAY too young. Loads of red fruit, and very tight. Still a big wine. However, I bet this will age into a very nice wine. Glad I have another still in the cellar. Opened with a couple of friends, so drank quickly, and I did not have time to decant. So I will hold off on a score or too detailed notes.
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Wanted to pop one of my four to see how this is doing early on. Pop and poured, then followed over 4 to 5 hours. Nose is expressive with sour cherry, cranberry, some blackberry and the orange zest that is so intriguing about this wine. On the palate, this is well balanced with a nice lush texture. Expressive dark and sour red fruits, with supporting minerality. There is a bouyant acidity here that keeps the ripe fruit in check. Nice length on the finish. Youthful, but vibrant and showing well. This is on the riper side of the Pinots I enjoy, but it definitely hits the spot when I'm looking for the riper style. I will hold off on my remaining bottles as I think this will get better and better over the next several years.
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Very consistent with prior vintages in both quality and style. A tasty and affordable pinot that's a shade dark, with decent acidity and a citrus-inflected nose and palate. 89-90
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Ton of red fruit, cola(rootbeer?) and some orange pekoe tea on the nose. Nice fruit filled yet very tart almost too tart flavor profile. Nice long smooth finish on this one. I like this but it seems a bit clumsy and awkward at this point. Think it needs to come together a bit and I think that by blending in the Summa grapes this has a complexity that is lurking yet needs to integrate. I'd wait a bit longer.
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Very darkly colored but not thick or extracted. Very generous fruit but it comes to a nicely pointed finish where the acid feels well married to the fruit. I like this a lot better than the 08 at the same point which was sweet and clumsy. This is packed but balanced.
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Gave this about an hour of air after pouring. Slightly cloudy appearance. Fantastic nose, which is ripe cherries and citrus (orange, grapefruit) with some zest and cola in there. Just a beautiful wine. Beautiful, pure fruit, without being overdone. Absolutely love this and am horrified I only have one more bottle. What was I thinking? At $25 I should have bought a case. 91.
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I have had this wine twice previously and it was amazing both times. I think I did not decant this bottle enough tonight as the acidity was much higher than the 2 previous experiences. Red fruit was present but more subdued and the nose never came around to my other experiences. No score as I don't think I did this bottle justice.
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Pop and poured. Consumed over 3 hrs. Tart red fruit and spice nose, cranberry citrus on the palete, pretty tart to start but became much more complex with time, adding baking spices and softening a little.
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Having now tried the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Rivers Marie SC bottlings, they all seem to present a fairly sweet, fruit rollup kind of flavor profile. They are not overextracted, nor are they unbalanced, but they definitely lean to the fruity (maybe even cola) end of the spectrum. Although they are very good in their style, I just don't think they're for me.
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Notes same as previous bottle, though drinking just a touch better from the get go (not surprising given it has now had a few weeks to recover from shipping). Nice stuff at the price. 89+
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Fairly dark in color, nose shows a melange of crushed fruit compote. Based on the nose, i was expecting a bit more ripeness on the palate, but this is quite restrained, almost elegant, though with plenty of intensity; more dark raspberry/strawberry/rhubarb then cherry in profile, decent acidity, though just a touch flat on the finish, which falls off a bit, showing some earth and little woodiness. Definitely delivers for its price.
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Opened and lit it sit for 1 hour. Had a glass on day one. Dark ruby color. Nose has a real tartness to it with cranberry, orange peel and pomegranate. On the taste you are hit with nice acidity up front followed by earthy fruits, mild tannins and just a kiss of oak. Finish is a tart raspberry that leaves you wanting more. Really excellent Cali Pinot at this price point.
Day two and I get a more meaty nose in addition to pomegranate, sandalwood and Asian spices. Taste is still tart but less round and more acidic. Like the lushness of day one better. On day two the earthiness appears to have disappeared.
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Raspberry and cherry aroma - not quite the cherry cola aroma that many CA Pinots have. Get nice cherry flavor as well, but the finish is a bit harsh for me. I'm guessing this just needs some time to mellow out, which I knew going in since I opened it so young. A nice wine, that has potential to go a few points higher in the future.
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14.1% Deep garnet in color. A very aromatic nose of bright cherry, rhubarb, along with some cinnamon spice. The flavor is closer to cranberry and tart cherry; although fruity it is nicely balanced by herbs and spices with some noticeable oak on the back-end. Hedonistic perhaps; very enjoyable.
Popped and poured, but it needed a half hour decant before it started to show well. Drank over two days, but I feel it showed best on day 1 - the flavor became a bit flat on day 2 though the aromatics were still there.
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Pop and Poured. Took this to drink at a BBQ for some friends who were moving. Even out of the dixie cup I had to drink this out of due to my not wanting to carry a wine glass with me along with my children this wine was wonderful. I loved the for what I thought was a wonderful balance between the fruit and earth aromas and flavors. My wife who is not a pinot fan enjoyed drinking this wine also. Now if I can just leave the others I have alone for a year or two.
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Cloudy pale maroon (not a deep color) with edges tending to pale pink. Expressive, herb like (basil), scents of cakes baking with cherry and cranberry. I am not as struck by its youthfulness as some, but it is bright and lively and ends with a noticable turn to orange or tangerine. Long with a tangy finish. Does not seem to have the tannin structure for long life.
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Pop and pour and followed over three hours; then tasted again the next day. Upon opening, the nose says "pinot". Fruit, earth, spice. All there. This has a good spic/fruit/earth balance. The wine expands on the palate into an elegant and long finish. Quite nice.
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Delivered last week, so I'm really early here, but had to try one as this is my first RM Pinot. Expressive nose of cherry, pomegranate. Also picked up on the orange note that is apparently typical of Summa/RM.
This is a bit (just a bit) bigger than I expected, but also had nice acidity to give it zip. Give it a few months and drink over the next few years. Well made and a bargain at $25.
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ok, so I was excited to pop one, this was my first '09 pinot and I am a RM fan. Popped and left standing for 3 or 4 hours before serving. Nice red berry profile (tart cherry cranberry and a bit of raspberry) and then a touch of cake-spice hiding underneath, not much nose, a bit tart, with a fairly high acidic profile and a grippy finish. I will wait at least 6mo to a year before trying another - I don't think this is ready. 2nd nite, I like this much more. I think the way I handled this wine (popping it early) was a bad move, and giving a slow air allowed itto close down some. Much nicer mouth feel tonight, more fruit (still red berries) and less tartness. Nice finish too.
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Decanted 1 hour; drunk over the following 1.5. Intense, rich red hue with a tinge toward purple. Deeply colored for a Pinot - you can see it's New World. As others have noted, cranberry, cherry, candied orange on the nose. Tart, red fruit, cherry, baking spices in the mouth, with a touch of tannin at the end. Silky. A pleasant, lingering finish. Approachable - and enjoyable - but will improve.
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Down goes my first bottle. Many thanks to Berserkers for the impulse! I'm every bit as optimistic as prior tasters on the quality of this bottling, but I do not think it's as ready as others suggest. Approachable, yes. Ready to drink? No. It drinks to me more like a barrel sample than a finished wine. But I completely agree with the descriptors of citrus fruits, orange peel, and cranberries with baking spices that I expect will become more pronounced with time. I'm the first person to attack the UPS truck with a corkscrew, but I really think this wine needs 6-12. Very enjoyable, but there's undeniable upside just waiting for you.
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Had to open this one right off the truck. Opened at cellar temp. Immediately poured off half in an empty half bottle for day 2 drinking. After plenty of swirling: Approachable, sappy red fruits on the nose is obvious with some candied citrus peel. Subtle gamy elements and oak spice. In the mouth there is a silky entry, with an immediate burst of citrus fruits and cranberries. The rush of acids continue on the mid palate with just a faint trace of dusty tannins. The finish is long and juicy. Ultimately a tad simple, and lacking some structure for long term aging, but this is already delicious and ready to drink now IMHO.
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Funny how a bottle can change from tasting to tasting. Deep dark ruby. Looks like a Zin in the glass. Lots of ripe red fruits on the nose including raspberry, cranberry. I got the citrus this time, orange zest is a good descriptor. Great full round mouthfeel. Moderate acidity and a lingering smooth tannic finish. Tied for #2 of the night. Still young but had to introduce my family to the wonders of RM. 91+
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Decanted at cellar temp for 2 hours. Dark translucent ruby color with some lightening at the edges. Nice lovely nose of cranberries, pomegranate juice, touch of sous bois, hint of orange zest and some exotic spices. Darker fruit profile on the palate versus the nose. Tart cranberries, raspberry puree, some dark fruit elements, a bit of tobacco and the smallest touch of toasty oak. Most pronounced spices on the palate including some nutmeg, allspice rolled with some baking spices. Medium body and decently concentrated while remaining graceful and light weighted. High toned acid, some round and present tannins, long sappy finish, good balance and more spice on the back end.
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Popped and drank over 2 days. Notes from day 2. Dark translucent ruby color. Tart cherry on the nose interspersed with whiffs of mint, eucalyptus and a little cranberry. Full round mouth feel up front with a good balance between sweetness, tartness, acidity then kind of flattens out before the finish which accentuates the tart red fruit and grainy tannins. And how that tartness hangs on and on. Nice $25 bargain.
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9/3/2023 - kabert Likes this wine: 92 Points
What a treat! Dynamite on its own and with pasta dinner. Tart cherry, touch of smoke and cinnamon. Was still kicking at lunch today, though the fruit wasn’t as tasty.
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2/17/2023 - GrapeScott wrote: 91 Points
Incredible showing for a 14-year old entry-level pinot, but not surprising given TRBs track record. I only had a few small tastes because this was ostensibly opened for my wife as her "Friday night wine," but I was shocked at how well this held up over multiple nights. Has that trademark Rivers-Marie bright acidity, orange peel, dust and spice notes around a core of black cherry and raspberry fruit.
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6/19/2022 - JoeDwine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fathers Day Grilled Salmon
Cranberry and great acidity.
Lots of brambly black Cherry and Dark plums
Touch of smoke….
Amazing but need to drink up soon.
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6/13/2022 - kabert Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tart and tasty. A strong citrusy-acidic beam. Not a fruit bomb and … the better for it.
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1/7/2022 - theharve wrote: 93 Points
NOT over the hill. Life left but aint got no more. Bought at release and stored at 55.
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5/7/2021 - kabert Likes this wine: 91 Points
Cloudy. Dark reddish/purple. Dark cherry flavors and a touch of smoke, with a delicate beam of acidity carrying the fruit along the finish. At this point (12 years in), I expect the fruit has lost some of its fat from what it was (I bought this bottle at auction recently). However, this had a similar delicious tart-cherry profile as other older RM pinots I’ve had recently, and it went fantastically with ahi tuna tacos and some salty chips and salsa. Some may say it’s faded; I’d say it’s comfortably mature. In my book anyway, this will drink well for at least another 5 years. Edit - on day two, at a late lunch the next day, this was even better- the fruit sweeter and the finish coming through as uniquely spicy. More like a 92+.
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3/11/2020 - thalver wrote:
This bottle was a pleasant surprise. It was very cloudy and sort of leaned heavily toward burnt umber in color. Sweetness has subsided. Wow, what a nose. I imagine that chemically something is going on with this, but whatever it is, give me more. Complex, damp decaying leaves, forest floor and still some fruit and enough acidity for structure. No brett. This showed much, much better than a 2008 Summa Old vines a year ago, which had simply faded into something meh. Sometimes, aging wine produces unexpected results good and bad. In the case of this bottle, very good.
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2/18/2020 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Ripe black and red cherry with sweet baking spice. Good richness, but simpler than what I recall from a few years back. While not fading, I think the "sweet spot" for this wine is less than 11 years after the vintage.
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10/6/2019 - Paul Lin wrote: 84 Points
To be honest, this wine was a little basic. Tart cherries and red plums over a base of tartaric acid, like crushed SweeTarts candies. I expected more from this producer, which I am generally a big fan of.
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2/16/2019 - ljl203 wrote:
Not as good as last bottle 11/2018. Long sour cherry attack, no cola or spice. Flawed? Drink up.
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3/13/2018 - Nanda wrote: 90 Points
Rotating Dinner Series: Rivers Marie (The Bristol - Chicago, IL): Tasted along side the '14 R-M Sonoma Coast Pinot. This shows a classic SC nose of sweet red cherry, raspberry, baking spice and herb. The palate is round, plush and so juicy. Good initial intensity but fades a bit on the finish. Really love the aromas in this wine. Quite nice.
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3/13/2018 - acyso wrote: 88 Points
The Rotating Dinners, II.3: Rivers Marie 2008-2014 (Chicago, IL): Interesting; I had had this wine about four years ago and thought it to tasted a bit too much like sour strawberry juice. I certainly didn't get that impression today. The nose on this was really aromatic, with a nice exotic mix of black and red fruit, some spice, and a very mild cola note. The palate starts off very nicely too, with a concentrated attack with the same luscious fruit, but it tapers off quickly on the back end. And despite the almost 10 years of age, this doesn't display any secondary characteristics.
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9/17/2017 - jfkwines wrote: 91 Points
Excellent spot right now. Poured a shot out on opening and aired the rest for 1-2 hours. Berries on the front, thins out a drop in the back, but in a way that allowed for our NY steak to be in harmony with the wine. While this was my last bottle, I. Have no regrets drinking it now, nor would I have qualms grabbing a few more for 2018 drinking
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1/7/2017 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 Points
Showed better than my prior bottle from just over six months ago (June 2016). Much more blackfruit and floral notes on the nose this time. Remained medium bodied, fully integrated and well balanced. Prior bottle showed more a redfruit note, but this one was all blackfruit with black cherry and blackberry upfront (still with hints of brightness), backed with black raspberry, hints of redfruit and then tart blackfruit notes. This bottle showed more complexity than my prior bottle, but with similar elements of balance. Tartness comes in with good strength towards the end and the wine finishes with solid mineral notes and more length than prior. Clearly at peak as all the elements are present, but I see no signs or concerns of an imminent decline. I'd drink it over the next year or so to capture this level, but would also have no worries buying more if it became available.
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9/30/2016 - jimkay21 wrote: 91 Points
Big nose. Palate with great fruit - black, cranberry. Medium finish. There was a fine sediment that made the wine murky but did not detract from the flavors
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9/5/2016 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:
Sad to see the last of out '09s now gone. High on the delicious scale with tart raspberry, pomegranate, dark cherries over some pine needles and orange peel. Exceptional mouthfeel. Spouse couldn't believe this was a $25 bottle. Screaming QPR.
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6/22/2016 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 91 Points
Raspberry, cranberry and tartness on the nose. Medium bodied and wonderfully round and smooth through the middle, especially after being open for an hour. Raspberry upfront with strawberry and cranberry behind. Acidity based tartness comes in towards the back and through the finish providing structure and balance. Hints of minerals on the finish, but generally a slow fade-out of the tart fruit. Not quite as much complexity as some other vintages of R-M Sonoma Coast but retains the excellent balance between fruit and structure. Fantastic value and drinking very well at present. May gain a little more balance between fruit and acidity with some additional time, but I'd drink this within the next couple of years.
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6/3/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Spice-driven aromatic start with ripe, maturing red cherry and berry. Palate slightly more mature with moderate intensity, but good overall balance. I find this wine to be one of the great Pinot Noir value wines in the world almost every vintage. I haven't had this since just after release and enjoyed it more tonight than earlier.
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4/8/2016 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 92 Points
Weather sucks - Wines don't (GHT): Great showing. Basic bottling. Clearly from California. Just delicious without being syrah-like or over done. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is great with cherries, dark cherries, a bit of candied qualities and slight earthiness. Great texture. On the palate, cherries, sweet sour cherry candy if that makes sense. Some earthy layers. I can see Burg snobs salivating at the thought of tearing a wine like this apart. Too bad for them. It is delicious. $25 - it is/was a smoking value. No hurry at this point, i am sure some evolution is still going on. Worked well with the food.
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3/18/2016 - theharve wrote: 94 Points
big unctuous not to peak but delish
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11/29/2015 - galewskj wrote: 91 Points
4 years later, and this is still better on day 2. Pop and pour, there was a fair amount of alcohol on this. It also had some unresolved tannin. Still quite nice. On day 2, totally in the zone, cola, cherry, raspberry, orange peel, spice, nice acid, smooth. I probably should have decanted this for an hour.
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10/31/2015 - williamswhine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Burnt orange-red hue. Red berry nose. Strawberry, cherry, smooth, and vibrant. Seems like it could age even longer. Terrific effort-- especially if you are looking for wine to pop without food.
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10/21/2015 - WetRock wrote:
This was all over the place. Juicy fruit and tart. The nose did have a nice strong citrus thing going on that called for your repeated attention. But the wine didn't drink real even or integrated. Definitely more of a cocktail wine that an elegant dinner companion. This might even out in feel but you'd lose the flashiness of the fruit and I don't think there is the depth that would bring forth much in the way of secondary characters. Drink.
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9/8/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 91 Points
Wines over Labor day Weekend; 9/5/2015-9/8/2015: Really a fun drink right now. Still young but accessible and delicious. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is all about sour cherries. On the palate, great texture. Lots of sour cherries. Depth. Light tannins. Long finish. Enjoyable wine for sure.
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5/19/2015 - pjhr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Simply delicious with similar notes to previous bottle!
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4/22/2015 - pjhr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Just love this juice! Lovely raspberry, spice, and sour vibrant red cherries on the nose and palate with underlying earthy notes and long finish.
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4/12/2015 - Edclr Likes this wine: 90 Points
Delicious...see last note.
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3/28/2015 - DaButtah Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful wine. Raspberry and cherry with a slight spicy finish. Very smooth and light. Delicious.
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1/28/2015 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Simply delicious with similar notes to previous bottle!
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11/26/2014 - jimkay21 wrote: 90 Points
Good balance. Cherry and a little spice
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11/17/2014 - rralls wrote: 92 Points
Delicious stuff.
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10/16/2014 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely raspberry, spice, and sour vibrant red cherries on the nose and palate with underlying earthy notes. Moderate finish with refreshing acidity. Incredible QPR!
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8/7/2014 - Wine Sparty wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured, then drank over 2+ hours. Aroma is red cherry with a bit of cola. Taste has red cherry, with quite a bit of acidity still on the finish. This was enjoyable in a "tasty" sort of way, but it was not showing complexity.
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3/25/2014 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Cola, cherries, cinnamon and clove. Full-bodied with dark fruit, cherry and cola flavors.
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3/25/2014 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Opened at E&S with locals and Vino Bevo in town. Similar notes as previous bottles. Paired perfectly with my tuna entree. This is showing no signs of slowing down - I only wish I had more.
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2/27/2014 - Paul Lin wrote: 90 Points
Fresh, bright, and energetic notes of raspberries, cranberries, and candied orange peel. Round and fruity on the palate, followed by tea-like tannins on the finish. A real treat to drink and a marked difference from my first bottle.
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12/16/2013 - Grape_ape wrote: 91 Points
Still youthful, but drinking really well..
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12/12/2013 - acyso wrote: 83 Points
Domaine End of Year Party (Chicago, IL): This smelled and tasted more like sour strawberry juice than wine. Certainly, the alcohol did not come off very hard (and there's definitely credit for that), but I prefer my wine to taste a bit more... like wine.
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11/27/2013 - thomaskeil wrote: 90 Points
PnP. A nice surprise. This was very pleasing with red berries, spice and forest floor. Bright acidity, which was needed due to fairly rich fruit. Balanced tannins. Structure and fruit suggests this has plenty of life left. Good now, but no judgement on when peak might be. Decant optional as not much further development over the evening and was pretty much unchanged on night 2.
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11/10/2013 - jreberger Likes this wine: 91 Points
P and P, really nice nose with red fruit and spice notes. balanced acids and cherry, not a light pinot but not overly fruity pinot. Great QPR.
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9/22/2013 - haldolugr wrote: 88 Points
Tartness of the cherry has dialed back a little bit replaced with a stronger raspberry note. Acid has also toned down with some time. A great QPR but this year is not as strong as the others I've had.
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9/15/2013 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 91 Points
Lots of wines at Tommy's Clambake (Tommy's): Purple/ruby in color. The nose is great with dark cherries, showing some layering. Lush, full bodied texture. Not a Pinot for those who like them delicate, yet it is not a monster either. I love the intensity and package. Lots of black cherry fruit. Delicious.
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8/2/2013 - gutt22 Likes this wine:
14.1% alcohol. This is just a juicy, smoking good wine. Delightfully light on its feet and zesty. The acidity adds to the juiciness of the cherry fruit. Just terrific. A-
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5/26/2013 - gzim Likes this wine: 88 Points
nice ruby robe but a bit cloudy. Nice medium red berry profile with a touch of cranberry and a touch of wood still showing. Nice, but didn't move me.
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5/23/2013 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Notes of cola, cherry and earth, as well as baking spices and red fruit. Balanced; flavors of cherries and dark fruit, with a cinnamon tinged finish. Long finish. Elegant, with a subtle earthiness that proved a nice match with the morel and chanterelle risotto.
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5/23/2013 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Opened at Anvil. This is hitting on all cylinders right now. Black cherry, spice and nice earthiness. Pairing with some morels and a chantrelle risotto was sublime. I truly believe this is the best QPR in Cali Pinot Noir.
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5/21/2013 - Tudz Drkl wrote: 91 Points
This is such a nice Pinot and a perfect expression of the variety. Smoke and earth are clear and extroverted but they do not dominant, in fact, they highlight the wonderful fruit. This is a well balanced and delicious wine.
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5/6/2013 - Grape_ape wrote: 91 Points
just getting around to my 1st of 4 bottles of this.. very aromatic nose of red fruit, spice, citrus zest and maybe some pine. juicy, tart red fruit an interesting mix of spice (more that just the standard "baking spice"), along with some earthy notes and a good dose of tart, citrusy acidity that keeps this really fresh. I can't fault people for drinking these early, but I think this is just getting into a good drinking window now..
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5/1/2013 - Floyd77 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A great showing for this wine -- aromatics of cherry, spice and a hint of menthol. Can't believe I opened this -- my last bottle of the 2009 Sonoma Coast pinot -- on a Wednesday. But damn it is good.
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5/1/2013 - curtispomeroy wrote: 90 Points
A very enjoyable and accomplished "value" pinot noir.
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4/7/2013 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
Black cherries orange peel, cinnamon on the nose. The palate is simple and straightforward. Delicious and bright. Nice acidity to this with tart cherries and more citrus. Clean finish.
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4/6/2013 - cobbpa Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fantastic. Has lost some weight since I last had it, but showed great dark & red berries throughout, with a slightly tart base. Faint tea note, a citrus curve on the backend, and great texture & length.
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4/6/2013 - jtrickett Likes this wine: 93 Points
Extremely aromatic with cinnamon, cloves, and cherries on the nose. Flavors of red and black fruits and molasses. Drinking great right now.
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3/21/2013 - pakabear Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good intensity for the "bare-bones" in the lineup. Cherry, strawberry and loads of misc spices dominate the palate. Very good balance at this stage, I would drink up.
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3/9/2013 - EPounds Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big nose right out of the bottle. Fun just to smell it. Good fruit and acid balance. This was not showing to be super complex, but it's an elegant Pinot that was enjoyable with or without food. Drinking well now.
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2/24/2013 - Floyd77 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Light color. Strong aromas of black cherries and spice (could that be cinnamon? Fine tannins; brightly acidic. Long finish. Even at the entry-level, Rivers-Marie just doesn't disappoint.
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2/24/2013 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:
Brought to a restaurant with spouse. Faire was kind of eclectic but the wine went well with a number of dishes. Pomegranate, tart cherry, baking spices with a little brown sugar and earthy undertone. Lots of California sunshine in this glass.
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2/23/2013 - rmh66 wrote: 90 Points
Boysenberry, black cherry, pine needle, a little orange, and a hint of vinyl on the nose. Cranberry, black cherry, earth, sage, boysenberry, and some pepper on the palate. Juicy acidity, good balance, decent finish. I'm really liking this bottle.
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2/15/2013 - Vervelb wrote: 94 Points
Lovely dark cherry, there's a green herbal note, almost licorice and tobacco. Smooth, long finish.
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2/2/2013 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 89 Points
I've really liked this wine in the past, but I feel like it has waned, or maybe this bottle was a bit tired. I still get that lovely cherry and rhubarb pie on the nose. with cinammon and pepper. The palate is tangy and earthy, with sweet cherry, cranberry and earth. Flavors of sage and spice linger onto the finish. This seems to be developing some more secondary flavors and, while I like them, it's lost some of the intensity of youth.
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1/25/2013 - rrschrumjr wrote: 86 Points
There's a lot to remark on with this wine, but the sum is less than its parts for me. Lots to take notice of. Nose of woodsy cherries, baking spices, very big, rich, dark, chocolatey. Tart, sour cherries on the palate, cranberries, very acidic. Biting. Short finish.
I can understand why this wine is liked. But to me, it's a bit disjointed. Lacks the elegance, power, smoothness I look for in top-level Pinots. My dining companion and I thought this had too much in common with juice.
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1/13/2013 - gutt22 Likes this wine:
14.1% alcohol. Delightfully pure cherry fruit here. A bit dusty on the nose and palate. Real depth and pleasure at an amazing price. A hint of orange peel on the fruit on the palate. A-
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1/11/2013 - texaswinelover wrote: 91 Points
Tasty. Tart, sour cherry and cranberry. Almost too sour/tart for my palate. Touch of funky and baking spice. Very nicely balanced. Excellent qpr.
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1/2/2013 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 90 Points
Just a beautiful pinot that is a joy to drink. A little too much acidity for me but still a very nice pinot
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12/24/2012 - jfont123 wrote: 94 Points
This was just terrific
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11/23/2012 - johnh1001 wrote: 91 Points
Tart red cherry on the nose and palate. Dried flowers. Nice and round in the mouth but the finish is a little angular. Very nice CA pinot.
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11/22/2012 - mdaniel wrote:
Vinturi'd: nose of red berries and loads of spices. On the palate, the red berries completely dominate with just a hint of spice on the finish. No heat on the finish of this balanced wine.
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11/20/2012 - winopops3 wrote: 91 Points
Dark purple. Nose of black cherry, cedar and earth. This starts of as very fruit forward on the palate, but just when you think it's going to be over ripe and hollow, the acidity kicks in and lifts it to an elegant finish. Really intersting wine that I suspect will be better over the next 5 to 10 years.
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10/20/2012 - tyvoodoo wrote:
Seems to be fleshing out nicely since release. Sappy snappy with plentiful fruit and acid. Not overdone and shedding its baby fat. More time should reward this.
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10/9/2012 - DuaneT wrote: 91 Points
My last bottle for this vintage. Bright, fruity, delicious.
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9/21/2012 - jwsmith wrote: 91 Points
Very nice slightly ripe and chunky but good.
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7/30/2012 - J2K wrote:
Interesting nose, strawberry kiwi with apples or some other tropical fruit? Light bodied, cran apple taste,cola, light bodied, differnet pinot.
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7/13/2012 - jdbcolumbus wrote: 87 Points
Decanted for two hours and drank over the next couple of hours. Eventually developed a nice nose of red cherry, baking spice with a little nuance of cola. On the palate, the fruit disappeared and the oak dominated with the acidity out of balance. The finish was fine but this was not the same wine I drank six months ago. I am guessing that this has entered a dumb phase.
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6/24/2012 - cobbpa Likes this wine: 89 Points
I drank half on day 1, then pumped & set the rest on the counter. The next day brought a very different, much improved wine.
Day 1's note reads: cranberry, dark cherry, brown spice & candied nose. Tasting brings high acid--flawed? Acid is far out of balance. All citric cut & a tart back end; red fruits show up on the back end. Low 80s? Flawed?
Day 2 went something like: similar nose as on day 1. Palate is much more inviting now. Either the acid has settled down or the texture has expanded--probably some of both--to bring great balance to this wine. Now enjoyably ripe, tart (yet soft) red fruits play against great orange citrus cut; all with a comforting brown spice undertone. Good length to the finish that leaves me anxious for more. 90+ today.
My hands are off until 2 years from now, and I'll have high hopes then.
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6/7/2012 - DuaneT wrote: 86 Points
Compared to previous bottles, the bright red fruits are not well represented and the flavors are lacking focus, struggling to find meaning. Still a solid wine but below expectations.
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5/27/2012 - gutt22 wrote:
14.1% alcohol. Bright cherry color. Fantastic nose of black cherry fruit and a bit of earth and spice. In the mouth, vibrant and juicy, with beautiful black cherry fruit, a good spice and earth streak, and bright acidity. Young but just beautiful. Just terrific. A-
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5/21/2012 - texaswinelover wrote: 90 Points
Not wowed. Richer than I remember. Thankfully no heat. High level of acid but not in detracting way.
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5/18/2012 - rralls wrote: 91 Points
The acidity of this wine really surprised me, but not in any negative way. Great nose of baking spices and orange peel.
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4/29/2012 - lsnider wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour. My last bottle and it rocked. This wine has seemed to come along nicely and improved. Not sure there is a better QPR for a SC Pinot out there. Red fruits with just a touch of truffle on the finish.
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4/21/2012 - angryphoton wrote: 90 Points
Really nice especially for the price, does feel like more expensive bottles. Very good weight and density and quality of fruit. Definitely in the modern style but it does not feel fake or overdone. Bright red cherry, some oak, cola and hints of orange peel. Pretty good balance, long finish.
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4/20/2012 - winopops3 wrote: 91 Points
A big rich Pinot, particularly at the front end. Dark berry, black cherry some acidity kicking in on the back end. Farly long finish with some savory notes. Really nice at twice the price.
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4/14/2012 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 93 Points
Saturday Afternoon at Ian's (Ian's House - Alexandria, VA): This is the second time I've had this wine, and I really love it. It's gotta be one of the best deals in California pinot noir history. Rich cherry, rhubarb, cassis, licorice on the nose. The palate is pure Sonoma Coast love, with tangy cherries, rhubarb pie, plush tannins and balanced acid. I love the freshness of this wine. Absoultely delicious.
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3/31/2012 - johnh1001 wrote: 90 Points
Opened and drank over 2hrs. A huge nose of big bright red fruit. So perfumed. Straightforward and delicious wine, but I wish the alcohol was less present.
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3/29/2012 - Nanda wrote: 91 Points
Another terrific showing. Nose has delicious cranberry and spice notes. Palate is zippy with snappy acidity and crunch red fruit. Great lift, persistence and presence from start to finish. A quality appellation bottling!
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3/26/2012 - DuaneT wrote: 90 Points
Simple, round, cranberry and cherry fruits. I enjoyed it more on day 2 when it added some depth.
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3/11/2012 - haldolugr wrote: 87 Points
Racy and vibrant tart cherry structure - smooth finish and medium body - but a little too tart to be more then just very good for me, but still a great bargin.
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3/11/2012 - jcha24 wrote:
enjoyable as always...definitely not a light pinot. love the orange notes on the nose that are consistent with RM. good stuff.
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2/21/2012 - elefkowitz wrote: 90 Points
Still quite young, but bouncing with lots of red fruits and traditional Sonoma Coast PN flavors. Sorry I didn't buy more of these 2009s, but stocked up on the 2010s!
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2/13/2012 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Drank this over dinner with some work colleagues. It suffered the one glass across four people mega pour syndrome and I finished my glass within about 30 mins of the bottle being opened. My take away, albeit short, was that the wine had progressed some since my last botte, which I had not thought was all that great with that one, seeming a little sweet for me. This one had the TRB core of acidity/tartness and the nice fruit core. I simply wish I would have kept another glass for tomorrow. Oh welll, this was my last 2009 SC so it's onto the 2010, which I tasted last year and thought from bottle was really a step up.
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2/2/2012 - tyvoodoo wrote:
Great nose filled with sappy red Pinot fruit. Sweet nose with baking spice and a cherry/strawberry fruit profile. Palate isn't as heavy as one would think from the nose. Decently lean, with vibrant acid and tart cranberry fruit. Went from creamy when first opened to lean, acidic, tart and then back to somewhere in the middle. I think this needs time to shake out.
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1/29/2012 - jdbcolumbus wrote: 90 Points
Cherry and red fruit with some cola nose. Good body and nice balance of fruit, oak and brightness. Lingering finish.
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1/28/2012 - wineismylife Likes this wine: 91 Points
Saturdays at One - Volume 63 (Glenn's house in Southlake, TX): WIML91
Tasted non blind at a wine tasting. Opened and served immediately.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of cola, thistle, black berries and some flowers. Flavors of black berries, black cherries, black raspberries and a hint of grapefruit. Medium to tart acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold.
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1/19/2012 - Acohen wrote: 90 Points
Nice red fruits with cherry and nice finish
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1/16/2012 - Just Grapes wrote: 88 Points
Not as good as what I remember from past vintages. Really tart cherry profile and a little leaner than previous Sonoma Coast bottlings. These wines have aged well in the past for CA Pinot so I'm going to re-visit my other 2009's in a year.
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1/16/2012 - kthornton78 wrote: 92 Points
it's really interesting how TRB is able to get such intense, rich, fruit extraction without it seeming flabby or hot while maintaining such good acidity. the nose is all cranberry, orange zest, and sap. the flavors of of red fruit, citrus zest, and spice are wound around a firm spine of acid which makes the wine seem juicy and lush. it's a great bottle for the price.
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1/14/2012 - etherscreen wrote:
not a focused as it was on release, but still a hell of a qpr. a no brainer buy.
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1/10/2012 - t_moderne wrote: 90 Points
Pop and pour and sipped all alone (without food).
As so often happens, the announcement from the winery of an upcoming new vintage release is the catalyst to open a prior vintage of the wine- to check in and help define whether there will be a next purchase order.
In this case, likely yes, depending upon price.
Good vibrant purple color but very cloudy. Murky, suggesting some homemade wine. I do not recall this wine being as murky in past bottles.
Nice nose of earth, spice and red berries. The spicy component hits you at first, and then recedes as the earth and fruit speaks up. The finish is crisp and clean, although a bit short.
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1/9/2012 - winecharmer wrote: 93 Points
Another absurd QPR. Briefly decanted, maybe 30 minutes in a pie plate. Oppulent classic pinot nose, with some cola, candied cherries, smoke, and pencil. Everlasting finish; could still taste it when I awoke the next day, and yes I brushed and gargled! Held up nicely for a second day tasting (vacuum sealed and stored in the fridge), though not as powerful as day 1. Also probably too cold on day 2, though I served it quite chilled on day 1 as well, sub 60. Preffered it more once it warmed, however, though a guest liked it chilled. Can't wait for the '10s. Bravo, TRB.
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1/2/2012 - Rayburn wrote: flawed
First flawed RM. Bummer
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1/1/2012 - thalver wrote: 91 Points
New Years Eve...this was drinking reasonably well....very pinot, on the nose and palate..not particularly delicate....no rush to drink up
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12/30/2011 - BobS wrote: 89 Points
Very dark intense profile, not what I expected from the Sonoma coast.
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12/29/2011 - bonedocnine wrote: 92 Points
Thomas Brown does it again....lovely.
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12/26/2011 - galewskj wrote:
A 2008 seemed open for business a few months ago, so I pushed my luck with 2009. This is showing a bit clunky right now. Youthful, tannic and dark. Better on day 2, best on day 3. Hold.
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12/23/2011 - Uglypinga wrote:
orange peel and a little smoke on the nose. bright cherry palate w some citrus notes. bright wine. like it
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12/17/2011 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 94 Points
Friday Night Blind Tasting (Weygandt Wines - Washington, D.C.): The nose on this wine is heavenly: strawberry rhubarb, licorice, rose petal and orange rind. On the palate, this wine is fresh and fruity, but balanced with delicious cranberry fruit. There's a distinct orange rind flavor that I absolutely love. It tastes so fresh and pure. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine. Tasted blind: 94 points. I was a bit tipsy at this point of the night, but it wasn't just that. Everyone loved this wine and it was several people's wine of the night.
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12/16/2011 - manonthemoon wrote: 90 Points
Tasted blind
N funk, green stems, red fruit, minerals
P red berries, minerals, herbs
F average length, good acidity
This was impressive to me as I am not a big Cali Pinot person
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12/9/2011 - thelostverse wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured at dinner. Nose is ahead of palate at this point. Red and dark fruits on nose with a nice earthiness on palate. This was better with food than alone. Very nice.
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12/3/2011 - lsnider wrote:
Took this to a Christmas party along with The Treat. I did not get to taste this bottle as it went fast. People loved it.
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11/24/2011 - rrschrumjr wrote: 85 Points
I was disappointed with this wine. Very dark, unusually so for a pinot. Cooked cherries and berries, along with significant forest floor notes and an almost stench of wet leaves on the nose. Black cherries on the palate -- the fruits are huge. I expected a lot more minerality. Somewhat short finish.
Overall, I was hoping for a bit less fruit and more brightness. The stewed, cooked fruits were fun to notice but were overbearing.
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11/19/2011 - blaine wrote:
Still too big, let these settle down for a bit longer
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11/14/2011 - Sakas Likes this wine: 88 Points
I agree with blaine below, still too young. Very primary at this stage. Took an hour and a half in the decanter to come alive and by that time most of it was gone! Should have opened earlier. Fairly rich for a pinot (but thin compared to some cali pinots!), dominated by black and red fruits with bits of that trademark orange peel that I love. Not crazy about this at this stage but enjoyable. As it is now 88 pts but with room to grow.
I thought a pinot would pair well with my homemade french onion soup but this was too bold a wine. Pair with richer food. I'm thinking steak topped with caramelized onions and mushrooms in a wine reduction (made w/ this pinot of course) and bits of Gorgonzola.
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11/10/2011 - pkbackman wrote: 90 Points
So good. Just the right balance of fruit and slight funk. Smooth and delicious. And such a bargain at $25. I would buy a case of this stuff if they let me.
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11/3/2011 - pgb67 wrote: 92 Points
R-M should patent this orange rind thing they have going on because I find it addicting. I served one bottle of this at a dinner party a month ago that was drained in short order, and then this past weekend a repeat visitor begged me to open another one, so I guess she found it addictive as well. Raspberries and black tea on the nose with creamy accents, and a delicious palate of berries and longish finish showcasing this interesting R-M orange rind/orange pekoe flavor.
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10/31/2011 - kthornton78 wrote: 92 Points
a second look at this wine shows that it has appreciated a little time sleeping. a deep brownish red, the nose shows aromas of sap, black tea, soil, raspberry, and rose - very aromatic. the palate shows red fruit, spice, and subtle earth that is lifted nicely by juicy acidity. it's full-volume cali pinot but with great structure and acidity. i can't see these getting much better and they seem open for business.
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10/24/2011 - VinoDiver wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour, then tasted over 3 days…Just a great wine. Fruit, backbone, and balance all there. This is drinking wonderfully now, but see no reason this won’t still be great or better in a few years.
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10/22/2011 - glaze3 wrote:
Very open palate of ripe cranberry, plum skin and tart cherry. Mid-palate brings some nice citrus type acidity that lingers through the full finish. Not terribly complex, but not trying to be either- just pure tasty fruit that if served to non geeks would disappear in 10 minutes. Always a great purchase.
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10/21/2011 - Hog Scrotum wrote: 90 Points
Intriguing nose with flavors of cherries, cranberries and citrus. Plentiful acidity combined with no noticeable influence of oak makes this a wine of great purity and decency.
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10/19/2011 - elamasters wrote: 90 Points
Very nice and lively. Good acidity, nice fruit, beautiful balance. Nice now, but should also have several good years ahead of it.
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10/15/2011 - mdefreitas wrote: 88 Points
A big-boned Pinot Noir, with dark cherry, spice. cola and citrus skin notes. Good acidity bite with a medium length. Quite a nice bargain at the release price.
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10/2/2011 - haldolugr wrote: 87 Points
Great QPR - tart cherry and raspberry notes, the acid is a little high at first,but once it has time to open up its easy drinking.
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10/1/2011 - t_moderne wrote: 89 Points
Pop and pour and followed over 7 hours. Tasted with food (veal spiedini) and then tasted on its own.
This has an earthy and spicy nose. Ont he palate, cranberries, pomegranate and raspberry. Quite tart. Wine shows depth of fruit flavor with that bracing tartness to it. Fades a bit on the finish.
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9/22/2011 - markjahnke wrote:
A baby, but open for business at this young stage. Will definitely develop with time, but gorgeous. Wish I could get a case of these ever year. Great QPR, and a he'll of a great wine!
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9/8/2011 - Serge Birbrair wrote:
Holy molly, what a beautiful wine!!! Layers of perfume, acidity to make it last, long finish and this wine outperformed 2005 La Pousse d'Or Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravières by a nautical mile.
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9/7/2011 - CTuttle wrote:
This bottle was fun! Was it way too primary? Yes. A little over the top for me? Probably. Hard to say how long you should hold these since the structure is difficult to gauge with all of that beautiful fruit in your face. Compared to the 2008 at the same stage, this wine has a much less prominent acid cut. Really enjoyable if you haven't had this style in a while.
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9/6/2011 - twelch wrote: 92 Points
This bottle was good! Really good! Much different appearance than previous bottle. This was almost a cherry/orange milkshake in flavor and visually. This bottle must have been pulled at the end of a barrel or something as it was so dense there was no clarity or crispness to the color at all. It was as if there was a lot of stuff suspended in it. With all that being said the nose just jumped out of the glass similiar to prior bottle. In the mouth it still needs a little time but the fruit and spice is just fantastic. For the price this is tough to beat.
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8/22/2011 - mdefreitas wrote: 89 Points
This showed a bit better than the last bottle I had about two months ago. Still leaning towards the heavier side of things, with cola, cloves and tree bark, but this somehow seems a bit more "pretty", with the rose petal and cherry flavors providing a bit more of the Pinot Noir character I like. This should be interesting to follow over time.
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7/31/2011 - blaine wrote:
Nicely balanced while still somewhat in your face. I'm starting to understand what all the fuss is about. Very good, no hurry, lots of life yet, still very primary. Great acidic backbone, finish could have been a little longer...
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7/24/2011 - cbero wrote:
P&P and followed over 2 nights. Still not ready and very one dimensional with cherry tart fruit. Will need time to balance out. Withholding judgement until another year or two.
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7/18/2011 - EMTAME wrote: 88 Points
Very fruit forward, with juicy red cherries dominating. Enjoyable, although lacking some of the sophistication of the '08 version. I suspect another year or so would help, with 1-2 points improvement possible.
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7/18/2011 - rdsboca wrote: 87 Points
Tart cherry and raspberry mash in a glass. Refreshing quaff. Some spices in the background.
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7/16/2011 - Paul Lin wrote: 82 Points
Not really sure what to think of this wine, as I have always had very good experiences with Rivers Marie. Clean, fresh and floral aromas of raspberries, wet stone, and rose petals. Sounds promising? But wait. Tart and hollow on the palate and exceedingly acidic with simple cranberry fruit. To be honest, it was almost like drinking red wine vinegar.
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7/13/2011 - Tudz Drkl wrote: 91 Points
This wine does not lack for much. Beautifully rich and dark on the palate - concentrated bing cherries and smoke - with a strong, low resonance acidity providing structure and balance. On the nose, smoke cherry and root beer predominate and make a definite Pinot combination. An excellent wine and fun to drink.
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7/10/2011 - mkmast wrote: 92 Points
I love the nose on this wine. I could just dive in to the aromas of Kirsch, cranberry and forest. This is on the more powerful side but very well balanced. Nice finish.
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7/7/2011 - Minkey wrote: 90 Points
Crisp nose showing earthy tones with ripe berries and cherries. The palate shows sour cherries, slightly tart but pleasant with hints of red berries.
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7/7/2011 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
14.1% ABV. Cloudy, somewhat translucent dark garnet in the glass. Tangy lime zest high-toned cherry fruit nose. Zest red cherry, tomato, citrus. High-toned attack of grapefruit and tangy cherry. Maybe this is an off bottle, but I am not crazy about this, at least in the way the 2008 SC PN bowled me over at first taste.
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6/26/2011 - mdefreitas wrote: 87 Points
Popped and poured. A brawny, broad-shoulder style of Pinot with copious dark flavors, cola, black cherry and raspberry, cloves and tree bark. Tangy, with adequate acidity, but this seems a bit forced and perhaps not a style of Pinot I enjoy; or perhaps this needs time to integrate. A bit more integrated on the second day, but still leaning towards the dark side.
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6/19/2011 - williamswhine wrote: 90 Points
Nice fruity nose; strawberry, cranberry, orange taste; medium bodied; seems young but thoroughly enjoyed drinking this wine on a hot summer night
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6/16/2011 - MindMuse wrote: 88 Points
Color is a red/pink/purple amalgam, clear at the rim. The nose is heavy on spice, with layered cherry, cranberry, raspberry fruits, and a citric orange much like one of those antibacterial sprays. It is light medium in body, with a smooth though not quite silky texture. Lots of tartness on the palate - cranberry/orange with some sappiness and steminess. It finishes a bit harshly to me - the acidity and heat take over if I take more than a modest sip. There is quite a lot I like about this - the complexity, the tension, a sexy sappiness - but it still seems very gangly and awkward right now. To me, it's intellectually fascinating, it's stimulating, but it's not delicious right now. Will it come together and be an all-star? I suppose this is what wine and baseball are all about. Jason Heyward, are you Dave Winfield, or are you Joe Charboneau?
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6/15/2011 - rmh66 wrote: 89 Points
On initial pop and pour, boysenberry, black cherry, cocoa powder, eucalyptus, orange zest, and cedar on the nose. Tart cherry, boysenberry, plum candy, herbs, black tea, and a little vanilla on the palate. Good acidity. After a day in the fridge, the flavors tilt toward red fruit, and the acidity takes over a bit. I prefer the first day at this point. 89+
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6/11/2011 - jcha24 wrote:
Really young and fruit forward. Chocolate, dark cherry on the nose. A bit hot on the palate but seems to settle in with some time. Nice bottle but too young to assess at this point.
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6/9/2011 - jwsmith wrote: 89 Points
Very nice
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6/7/2011 - hkfoebee wrote:
Delicious sour cherry orange peel I've come to love about RM. Bravo!
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6/6/2011 - Uglypinga wrote:
Some nights some wines just hit you right. Big nose of chocolate covered cherries with a hint of mint. Smooth palate with orange rind, raspberries and wouth watering acid. Long clean finish. Great pinot.
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5/28/2011 - haldolugr wrote: 88 Points
Tart cherry, hint of citrus, vanilla, with a strong oak finish. Nice QPR. Very young, hope it gets a little better with age but very easy to drink now. Did not decant just popped and poured.
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5/22/2011 - bonedocnine wrote: 91 Points
Solid and true to style this is another great bottling from RM and adds a better QPR that the single vineyard wines. Quite a treat.
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5/21/2011 - olm2000 wrote:
again, very jammy to my personal taste but excellent value in that style
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5/18/2011 - Nanda wrote: 91 Points
One of my favorite QPR Pinots year in and out. Full nose has cranberry, sour cherry, forest floor and a kiss of oak. Palate has bright and rich fruit with a burst of juicy acidity. Chalky tannins add textural interest. Medium finish of sour-cran-apple. Yum. This is great stuff and hard to beat for $25.
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5/14/2011 - jmull wrote:
Consistent with a prior bottle (91), this was poured following am ethereal Kosta-Browne 2009 Sonoma Coast (94) and, while not quite in that league, everyone thought it held up fairly well in comparison.
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5/13/2011 - kthornton78 wrote: 91 Points
infanticide! aromas of cherry, strawberry, and citrus zest with a note of warm soil that progressed to black tea with time. on the palate, still a lot of acidity and tartness with reticent fruit. needs 6 months to a year. lots of potential and a real treat for the price.
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5/9/2011 - MillerRoad wrote:
Drank this one WAY too young. Loads of red fruit, and very tight. Still a big wine. However, I bet this will age into a very nice wine. Glad I have another still in the cellar. Opened with a couple of friends, so drank quickly, and I did not have time to decant. So I will hold off on a score or too detailed notes.
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5/7/2011 - gblacave wrote: 88 Points
Wanted to pop one of my four to see how this is doing early on. Pop and poured, then followed over 4 to 5 hours. Nose is expressive with sour cherry, cranberry, some blackberry and the orange zest that is so intriguing about this wine. On the palate, this is well balanced with a nice lush texture. Expressive dark and sour red fruits, with supporting minerality. There is a bouyant acidity here that keeps the ripe fruit in check. Nice length on the finish. Youthful, but vibrant and showing well. This is on the riper side of the Pinots I enjoy, but it definitely hits the spot when I'm looking for the riper style. I will hold off on my remaining bottles as I think this will get better and better over the next several years.
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5/2/2011 - amateurwino wrote: 90 Points
Very consistent with prior vintages in both quality and style. A tasty and affordable pinot that's a shade dark, with decent acidity and a citrus-inflected nose and palate. 89-90
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5/2/2011 - gzim wrote: 89 Points
nice and spicy, lots of red berries, a bit of a compact zippy finish
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5/2/2011 - twelch wrote: 90 Points
Ton of red fruit, cola(rootbeer?) and some orange pekoe tea on the nose. Nice fruit filled yet very tart almost too tart flavor profile. Nice long smooth finish on this one. I like this but it seems a bit clumsy and awkward at this point. Think it needs to come together a bit and I think that by blending in the Summa grapes this has a complexity that is lurking yet needs to integrate. I'd wait a bit longer.
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5/1/2011 - WetRock wrote:
Very darkly colored but not thick or extracted. Very generous fruit but it comes to a nicely pointed finish where the acid feels well married to the fruit. I like this a lot better than the 08 at the same point which was sweet and clumsy. This is packed but balanced.
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4/28/2011 - S. Lorin wrote: 90 Points
Bright red fruit with zest and refreshing acidity
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4/27/2011 - xwine wrote:
Similar to the last bottle, but not quite the impression of cola, and more enjoyable.
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4/14/2011 - jmull wrote: 91 Points
Gave this about an hour of air after pouring. Slightly cloudy appearance. Fantastic nose, which is ripe cherries and citrus (orange, grapefruit) with some zest and cola in there. Just a beautiful wine. Beautiful, pure fruit, without being overdone. Absolutely love this and am horrified I only have one more bottle. What was I thinking? At $25 I should have bought a case. 91.
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4/11/2011 - VinoDiver wrote:
I have had this wine twice previously and it was amazing both times. I think I did not decant this bottle enough tonight as the acidity was much higher than the 2 previous experiences. Red fruit was present but more subdued and the nose never came around to my other experiences. No score as I don't think I did this bottle justice.
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4/4/2011 - bobpsi wrote: 88 Points
Pop and poured. Consumed over 3 hrs. Tart red fruit and spice nose, cranberry citrus on the palete, pretty tart to start but became much more complex with time, adding baking spices and softening a little.
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4/3/2011 - xwine wrote:
Having now tried the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Rivers Marie SC bottlings, they all seem to present a fairly sweet, fruit rollup kind of flavor profile. They are not overextracted, nor are they unbalanced, but they definitely lean to the fruity (maybe even cola) end of the spectrum. Although they are very good in their style, I just don't think they're for me.
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3/30/2011 - hudamang wrote:
Consumed over 2 nights. Nice bright fruit. Still new world but elegant. A-
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3/27/2011 - Edclr wrote: 90 Points
Gordeous wine for the price. Fruit jumps out of the glass with no hint of overextraction or stewy character. My kind of pinot.
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3/22/2011 - B Paul wrote:
Notes same as previous bottle, though drinking just a touch better from the get go (not surprising given it has now had a few weeks to recover from shipping). Nice stuff at the price. 89+
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3/20/2011 - alanr Likes this wine: 88 Points
Fairly dark in color, nose shows a melange of crushed fruit compote. Based on the nose, i was expecting a bit more ripeness on the palate, but this is quite restrained, almost elegant, though with plenty of intensity; more dark raspberry/strawberry/rhubarb then cherry in profile, decent acidity, though just a touch flat on the finish, which falls off a bit, showing some earth and little woodiness. Definitely delivers for its price.
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3/19/2011 - Bellissimo wrote:
Opened and lit it sit for 1 hour. Had a glass on day one. Dark ruby color. Nose has a real tartness to it with cranberry, orange peel and pomegranate. On the taste you are hit with nice acidity up front followed by earthy fruits, mild tannins and just a kiss of oak. Finish is a tart raspberry that leaves you wanting more. Really excellent Cali Pinot at this price point.
Day two and I get a more meaty nose in addition to pomegranate, sandalwood and Asian spices. Taste is still tart but less round and more acidic. Like the lushness of day one better. On day two the earthiness appears to have disappeared.
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3/18/2011 - Wine Sparty wrote: 88 Points
Raspberry and cherry aroma - not quite the cherry cola aroma that many CA Pinots have. Get nice cherry flavor as well, but the finish is a bit harsh for me. I'm guessing this just needs some time to mellow out, which I knew going in since I opened it so young. A nice wine, that has potential to go a few points higher in the future.
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3/18/2011 - wallstreet wrote:
A nice young wine, full of life. Flavor profile indicates an relatively early drinker. Nice QPR. Very food friendly.
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3/13/2011 - DuaneT wrote: 90 Points
14.1%
Deep garnet in color. A very aromatic nose of bright cherry, rhubarb, along with some cinnamon spice. The flavor is closer to cranberry and tart cherry; although fruity it is nicely balanced by herbs and spices with some noticeable oak on the back-end. Hedonistic perhaps; very enjoyable.
Popped and poured, but it needed a half hour decant before it started to show well. Drank over two days, but I feel it showed best on day 1 - the flavor became a bit flat on day 2 though the aromatics were still there.
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3/12/2011 - lsnider wrote: 90 Points
Pop and Poured. Took this to drink at a BBQ for some friends who were moving. Even out of the dixie cup I had to drink this out of due to my not wanting to carry a wine glass with me along with my children this wine was wonderful. I loved the for what I thought was a wonderful balance between the fruit and earth aromas and flavors. My wife who is not a pinot fan enjoyed drinking this wine also. Now if I can just leave the others I have alone for a year or two.
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3/11/2011 - tyvoodoo wrote: 90 Points
Identical to the last note.
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3/7/2011 - smphelps wrote: 90 Points
Cloudy pale maroon (not a deep color) with edges tending to pale pink. Expressive, herb like (basil), scents of cakes baking with cherry and cranberry. I am not as struck by its youthfulness as some, but it is bright and lively and ends with a noticable turn to orange or tangerine. Long with a tangy finish. Does not seem to have the tannin structure for long life.
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3/6/2011 - pkbackman wrote:
If you are going to open now, give it a good 2-3 hour decant. That's when it really started to shine, smooth out and really come together
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3/4/2011 - olm2000 wrote:
a bit ripe for my taste but an excellent wine in that style...great QPR, one of the best in CA I have seen for pinot
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3/1/2011 - t_moderne wrote: 90 Points
Pop and pour and followed over three hours; then tasted again the next day. Upon opening, the nose says "pinot". Fruit, earth, spice. All there. This has a good spic/fruit/earth balance. The wine expands on the palate into an elegant and long finish. Quite nice.
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2/27/2011 - B Paul wrote: 89 Points
Delivered last week, so I'm really early here, but had to try one as this is my first RM Pinot. Expressive nose of cherry, pomegranate. Also picked up on the orange note that is apparently typical of Summa/RM.
This is a bit (just a bit) bigger than I expected, but also had nice acidity to give it zip. Give it a few months and drink over the next few years. Well made and a bargain at $25.
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2/26/2011 - gzim wrote: 89 Points
ok, so I was excited to pop one, this was my first '09 pinot and I am a RM fan. Popped and left standing for 3 or 4 hours before serving. Nice red berry profile (tart cherry cranberry and a bit of raspberry) and then a touch of cake-spice hiding underneath, not much nose, a bit tart, with a fairly high acidic profile and a grippy finish. I will wait at least 6mo to a year before trying another - I don't think this is ready.
2nd nite, I like this much more. I think the way I handled this wine (popping it early) was a bad move, and giving a slow air allowed itto close down some. Much nicer mouth feel tonight, more fruit (still red berries) and less tartness. Nice finish too.
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2/25/2011 - Hex triplet #43302E wrote: 89 Points
Decanted 1 hour; drunk over the following 1.5. Intense, rich red hue with a tinge toward purple. Deeply colored for a Pinot - you can see it's New World. As others have noted, cranberry, cherry, candied orange on the nose. Tart, red fruit, cherry, baking spices in the mouth, with a touch of tannin at the end. Silky. A pleasant, lingering finish. Approachable - and enjoyable - but will improve.
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2/23/2011 - Moorese wrote:
Down goes my first bottle. Many thanks to Berserkers for the impulse! I'm every bit as optimistic as prior tasters on the quality of this bottling, but I do not think it's as ready as others suggest. Approachable, yes. Ready to drink? No. It drinks to me more like a barrel sample than a finished wine. But I completely agree with the descriptors of citrus fruits, orange peel, and cranberries with baking spices that I expect will become more pronounced with time. I'm the first person to attack the UPS truck with a corkscrew, but I really think this wine needs 6-12. Very enjoyable, but there's undeniable upside just waiting for you.
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2/22/2011 - jakuda wrote:
Had to open this one right off the truck. Opened at cellar temp. Immediately poured off half in an empty half bottle for day 2 drinking. After plenty of swirling: Approachable, sappy red fruits on the nose is obvious with some candied citrus peel. Subtle gamy elements and oak spice. In the mouth there is a silky entry, with an immediate burst of citrus fruits and cranberries. The rush of acids continue on the mid palate with just a faint trace of dusty tannins. The finish is long and juicy. Ultimately a tad simple, and lacking some structure for long term aging, but this is already delicious and ready to drink now IMHO.
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2/19/2011 - River Rat wrote: 91 Points
Funny how a bottle can change from tasting to tasting. Deep dark ruby. Looks like a Zin in the glass. Lots of ripe red fruits on the nose including raspberry, cranberry. I got the citrus this time, orange zest is a good descriptor. Great full round mouthfeel. Moderate acidity and a lingering smooth tannic finish. Tied for #2 of the night. Still young but had to introduce my family to the wonders of RM. 91+
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2/6/2011 - tyvoodoo wrote: 90 Points
Decanted at cellar temp for 2 hours. Dark translucent ruby color with some lightening at the edges. Nice lovely nose of cranberries, pomegranate juice, touch of sous bois, hint of orange zest and some exotic spices. Darker fruit profile on the palate versus the nose. Tart cranberries, raspberry puree, some dark fruit elements, a bit of tobacco and the smallest touch of toasty oak. Most pronounced spices on the palate including some nutmeg, allspice rolled with some baking spices. Medium body and decently concentrated while remaining graceful and light weighted. High toned acid, some round and present tannins, long sappy finish, good balance and more spice on the back end.
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2/1/2011 - River Rat wrote:
Popped and drank over 2 days. Notes from day 2. Dark translucent ruby color. Tart cherry on the nose interspersed with whiffs of mint, eucalyptus and a little cranberry. Full round mouth feel up front with a good balance between sweetness, tartness, acidity then kind of flattens out before the finish which accentuates the tart red fruit and grainy tannins. And how that tartness hangs on and on. Nice $25 bargain.
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