I didn’t enjoy this as much as my prior bottle three+ years ago. The fruit has great concentration it just felt a little more sweet and less fresh then the prior bottle. Lots of fun mint and spice accents. Time to drink up.
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Beautiful. Had a glass via Coravin just over a year ago, and thought the flavors and aromas were nice but the body a little thin. This time, gave it about an hour to come to temperature and about 15 minutes in the glass and it was singing from the start. Primarily red fruits (cherry/cranberry) with some hints of black and blue berries; nose of baking spices and a little funk. Great, well-rounded mouthfeel and really no off notes. Didn’t get the sense that this is about to go over a cliff, but there’s no reason to hold these any longer.
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This opaque garnet wine was sampled in single-blind fashion at a global Pinot Noir tasting. Ripe and fairly heavily extracted, it delivers a core of dark bramble fruits, black cherries, baking spices, orange zest, smoke and lavender. For a Pinot, this is a full-bodied wine that supports its lush fruit with fresh acidity, moderate oak and residual tannins that are silky in texture. Despite its ripeness, the alcohol (listed as 14.2%) is nicely integrated. Dense in the middle and finishing with impressive length, this is a delicious mature Pinot that should be at its best over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2022.
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Drinking very well right now. Not as bright and lush as in its youth but it has staved off the secondary characteristics of aging pretty well thus far. Notes of ripe cherry, raspberries, and strawberries.
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Pop, poured and enjoyed over a few hours. Quite possibly my favorite Rivers Marie Pinot showing in over a decade of buying, cellaring and drinking the wines (and simultaneously, albeit slowly, shifting to and favoring Burgundy over that same ten years). Such a complete wine that is surely at peak. A mesmerizing nose of red cherry, wintergreen, spice and just the slightest hint of orange peel. The palate is rich while not ripe. Dazzling acidity. Terrific depth and layering. Long, spice-filled and elegant finish. I've always found RM pinots to be delicious, but this one just hit so many more buttons. Perhaps these coastal RM vineyard sites need 12-15 years to hit my sweet spot.
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Came off as fresh and potentially not at peak, with great Sonoma typicity. Nose of cherries and herbs. Sour cherry palate with nice lift and energy. Impressive.
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Drank over dinner last night, was shared amongst friends so nothing to retaste today. From memory, this was holding up well, still showing plenty of fruit and just some emerging hints of maturity, mainly in the color and also the palate impression. However, these were minority aspects of a wine that at 10 years old is showing well.
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Tasting Group Holiday Party (Mouton, Laurent, Essencia, Hundred Acre, Staglin, +++) (University Circle): Interesting to have this side by side with the 05 Laurent CdlR. This is drinking so much younger. Very deep ruby/purple in color. The nose is very nice with dark cherries, sour cherries and slight weedy/herbal note. Though green, I liked it and did not find that quality off putting. Interesting. I meant to go back to see if it blew off, but forgot. The palate has great sour cherries with nice acidity. Perhaps the slightest of root beer notes. Very food friendly. I think there is still further potential here.
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Broad, full and appealing nose that unmistakably the Sonoma coast. Bright red cranberry, strawberry and cherry fruits, stemmy toasted herbs, clove, all spice and evergreen notes. Palate has medium rich fruit with bright juicy acidity. Fresh, pure and long. Spice-filled red fruit finish.
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Decanted for a couple of hours. Agree with many other notes - I also got the dark cherry with cranberry and spice. I found it bright and tasty with a long finish. I didn't get a lot of alcohol and felt the acid level was fine. Glad I have some more of this.
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Occidental certainly sticks out as a sore thumb (to me at least) when compared to the other '05 Rivers Marie wines (Summa OV, Summa and Sonoma Coast), especially in the early days (I have fewer data points with the newer vintages, especially now with the addition of Gioia and Silver Eagle). That said, this wine has grown up quite a bit with a few years of age and sits in what I would consider to be a prime drinking window after 2+ hours of air. Cinnamon, clove and cocoa notes all come and go, but the backbone is all centered on dark cranberries. My nits would be that I'd like a bit more acidity and that there is some wood tannin, suggesting that further aging is an option, though I plan to drink my remaining bottle by Thanksgiving 2015.
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Sadly my last bottle from release....drinking beautifully! Darker wild berry(cherry,cranberry,raspberry) showing just a tad of age.....wonderful sandalwood spice box, stem funk, forest floor, tobacco.....still has a bright crunch to the cranberry skin acidity....balanced well with the aging fruit. Even a little pomegranate liqueur, and some hay bale. Tasty wine here, aging well!
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This bottle was much more pruney and over ripe tasting than the previous. A bit four square, without the forest and pine notes mixed with tart red fruit noted in other bottles. Marking this up to variation.
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First of four bottles, opened and poured, darker red in the glass, cherries on the nose, medium bodied wine with cassis, black cherries and a bit of spice and earth, good texture (dry extract?) and mouth feel, good acidity, long finish, delicious wine, it would be interesting to see how this wine continues to age, but it is definitely drinking well now
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This wine is starting to see some evolution. Notes of Queen Anne cherries, blood oranges, and cranberry sauce (with hints of clove and orange peel). Red fruited across the palate. Tart yet ripe with some mixed wild berries on the finish. The level of complexity has dropped compared to previous bottles, and this one even shows a touch of heat, but I still think this wine is still on the upswing.
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Saturday afternoon with friends: I thought this was fantastic. Its full throttle and young. Despite its size, it is balanced. Perhaps a slight bit of alcohol showing. Lots of dark cherries on the nose and palate. Nice aacidity. Long finish. Lots of time for this, but lots of fun right now.
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Color me confused. I just don't understand what the hubub is all about. Well crafted pinot, but big, with lots of alcohol, and aslight glue-y-ness that never quite disappeared. Othrerwise tart, sour cherries, red fruit, with some cinnamon spice thrown in. I don't think I'm drinking this too early?
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Fantastic wine. Upon first opening the wine was not overblown. Dark fruit on the first taste, with the alcohol giving a slight citrus mouthfeel. Finish was of red cherries. After being open for an hour the alcohol had burned off a bit, but still the tannin/alcohol/fruit balance was still perfect. Much more in a burgundian style than the typical fruity California pinot.
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Dark ruby color. Nose of musk, raspberry, anise, lilies, earth. Drenching, concentrated fruit on the palate with layers of spicy black raspberry, cherry, and iodine. Big wine with a healthy slug of alcohol but also enticing acidity and minerality amidst austere tannins. Long finish with echoes of raspberry, iron, and cola. This wine has really blossomed in the 2 years since the last taste, and has years more to go.
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Just magic. Wonderful clear ruby color almost to the rim. Nose of curshed berries and cranberry with mushroom/forest floor notes. Perfectly balanced. Just the right acidity to offset the fruit and and tannins. Slightly chewy with waves of dark cherry, cassis, leather and spice. Long finish.
I'm a big fan of the Summa Old Vines but this belongs in the same league. Three to go.
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Significantly more earth and minerals than The 07 SC that we drank with this. This is really good stuff, heavy doses of blueberries, with a slight hint of vanilla and wonderful earthiness makes this a wine ready to go now. We really enjoyed it.
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Dark, deep red in color. Big, brooding in the mouth. Plenty of tannin, but great balance, red fruits, forest floor, mineral streak, great complexity. Really enjoyable. Drinking well, and will last a while.
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PnP (3 nights). Dark reddish violet. Nose is forward, showing cherry/cranberry fruit, musky spices, and some stone/mineral. Palate dominated by round dark fruit, though it has acidity and soft tannins, it lacks tension. Complexity hinted at on the nose, not well expressed on palate. Very nice flavors, but a bit simple; saved by great balance. Held up well on nights 2 and 3.
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Pop and pour, cloudy in appearance and throwing sediment. Initially, lots of forest and earthy notes. As it opened up, there was a cherry/cranberry richness to the wine that was balanced and wonderful. In a great place right now.
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Bright red fruit and scorched earth on the nose. Licorice, mushroom and bright red fruit on the palate. Floor-of-the-forest. A dead ringer of a Chambolle-Musigny. A real beauty that has plenty of life ahead of it. Gets better as the night progresses.
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Not quite as good as the last bottle consumed back in January but still very enjoyable. The nose on this is very nice. This is full of fruit, including raspberry, plum, cherry, cranberry, cinnamon, cola, and spice. Slightly tart. Somewhat ripe but definitely not over-ripe. This is very balanced - no sign of alcohol. What a pleasure to drink. I believe this is just entering into the peak drinking window and will remain here for a few years.
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Wednesday Night Blind - January 2010 (Peter Pratt's Inn): I liked this a good deal, it was not the best performance I'd had from this wine, but it was very good. Some folks guessed Syrah perhaps with a dollop of Viognier added in. It did have a very floral nose, so that correlation was not much of a stretch. It certainly didn't taste like typical Pinot and the guesses of Syrah really did follow the flavor profile presented by the wine. It was big, a bit sappy, had a touch of heat and was a bit chewy on the palate. Not typical of Pinot. One taster said that it tasted a bit like all those Cali high octane Pinots he hates so much (he's a big burg fan and brought the Rousseau), when he said that, the game was up and I unveiled the wine. Most were surprised, he was wasn't. Anyhoo, I like the wine for what it is and am very glad to have more in my cellar.
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Did not decant. What a change from the last bottle consumed 2 years ago. The nose on this is incredible. This is full of fruit, including raspberry, plum, cherry, cranberry, cinnamon, cola, and spice. Slightly tart. Somewhat ripe but definitely not over-ripe. This is very balanced - no sign of alcohol. What a pleasure to drink. I believe this is just entering into the peak drinking window and will remain here for about 5 years.
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Strong whiffs of forest floor at opening give way to a panoply of dark fruit - plum, black cherry, and hints of berry. Full-on blast of fruit predominates the nose, with the oak presence only subtly revealed. Flirts with the edge of over-ripe but never quite gets there...remains nicely balanced if also big. The fruit also has a slightly tart edge to it...the acidity helps keep the wine in balance. Strong through the mid-palate. Hints of sassafras on the finish, but not in abundance. Probably entering its peak drinking window, as the ripeness level could become a concern if the big fruit ever fades out. Great example of Cali PN.
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Uncorked and aerated in the glass for 90 minutes. Very dark ruby. Nose of cranberry, black raspberry, lots of citrus, some iodine, oolong tea. Extracted dark fruits with plenty of tart acidity and brooding structure on the palate along with moderate tannins and long, ringing finish. Very early in its evolution, with character to burn.
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Tasty! Much like my last note almost a couple years ago....fresh crushed wild raspberries, tart crancherry, pine sap, sarsaparilla, earth and tobacco spice. Still bright with tart acidity, but a couple years of age has "darkened" it a bit....deeper spice, more cola, molasses, dark chocolate Christmas spice cake! I commented last time about a Kosta Browne Sonoma/ROAR interplay.....I think that hits it right on! Tartness acid, florals of ROAR....dark cola, floral earth/tobacco of KB Sonoma.....all perfectly balanced and tasty as hell! Wish I had a bunch more of these '05's. Wait on the '06.....it needs more time.
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I drank my other 2 bottles was to soon. this wine is just starting to come into its prime. still needs a 1-2 decant to show its stuff. as good as it is now it should iimprove with another year or two of ageing. the best RM I've ever consumted that's for sure.
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Open for Thanksgiving. Cloudy red in color. Nose of red fruits, orange and a little oak. Cherry, cranberry and orange, and oak spiciness. Medium-bodied, with strong acidity (good with the food). The wine had gained considerable depth from the last time I had had it, making me regret that it is my last bottle.
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This bottle was an improvement over the first one I opened in May. The fruit is still on the richer end of the spectrum but the sweetness has toned down and some acidity shows itself. The nose shows lots of floral elements with darker fruit and citrus. On the palate lots of darker red fruits with a nice orange rind note. The finish could be a bit longer but a nice pinot that went well with the Thanksgiving meal. I would recommend decanting this for an hour or so and I think this still has some upside with another year or two of age, so I plan to hold of on opening my last bottle.
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Recommended by TRB as one of his wines that is open for business. The nose on all of his wines is so distinct and amazing. On the palate this wine is showing dark fruit, like rhubarb and spice. It is a touch on the sweet side but not cloying or heavy. Good acidity and finish. It still seems primary with the oak needing to integrate. My remaining bottle will rest a few years. This should turn into something special.
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NJ Pinot Noir Tasting - June 21st OFFLINE - took place on July 22nd (New Jersey): Still drinking very young I think, but a damn tasty wine! Decanted for 30 minutes before first pour, giving off a nose of big black fruits...black cherry, raspberry, and the slightest hint of tangerine and spice. Tangerine? WTF! But very pleasant. On the palate, had I tasted this blind, I would have thought for sure someone was trying to pull a fast one and slip a syrah in there. More red fruit, raspberry, cherry, vanilla, and lots of spice made this very syrah like. Regardless, it was good now, and I think it will get better with time in the bottle!
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Just OK for me. The finish is a tad short and although this is obviously a well made wine a bit too dark on the fruit spectrum, not enough acidity and a bit monolithic. I'll hold my remaining bottles to see if this improves with some short term cellaring but I'm not so sure.
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Opens considerably in the first hour. Seems quite primary, with plummy and white pepper notes. The nose is subdued; the length is okay. Seems well made, but when it finally settled down, it just seemed like there's not a lot there yet. Not as tasty or as nicely lifted as the 2004 Sonoma Coast.
NA-1: Need a good hour of air. NA-2: Try next in ... Will it go anywhere?
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A great California pinot. Dark red and black fruit; medium to full bodied for a pinot, but well balanced and delicious. Feels like one to drink over the short to medium term.
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same thoughts as last July, deep dark rich black cherry, intriguing nose, throwing off some tannins now. I am sure this will keep developing. Great stuff.
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Concentrated dark red color. Refreshing nose of cherries,sweet citrus and vanilla. It almost smelled like a air freshener. In a good way...Wink Almost cherry cola. Really nice. Flavors of more cherries and vanilla. This one my second favorite. Had a bit of acidity that tingled the sides of my tongue and a long and balanced finish. The second time around the fruit came forward a bit more but not a drastic change.
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4th Street Pinot Noir Showdown (4th St. Wine Shop- Greenville, NC): Splash decanted and consumed over a period of 2 hours. This wine exhibited a garnet/dark garnet color. On the nose, aromas of pomegranate, black cherries, raspberries and huckleberries with hints of orange peel and cocoa. On the palate, core flavors of black cherries, pomegranate and cranberry were complemented by notes of baking spices and vanilla leading to hints of earthiness on the finish. Again, wonderful mouthfeel with silky tannins and balanced acidity. This was a joy to drink... and I think I scored a tad high the last time I had it... but definitely a solid 93. HS93
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Dark burgundy center with light red rim. The explosive nose begins with an earthy note but quickly changes to pomegranite, sasafrass, and chocolate. Once in the mouth, red and black fruits such as raspberry and pomegranite coat the palate with chocolate highlights that ease into tart cherry and orange peel. This wine is all about balance. It is full flavored without being heavy, and the well rounded tannins on the long finish bode will for aging. Overall, this reminds me of Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast without the hedonistic ripeness of the KB. 14.2% alcohol.
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Dark fruit and cola on the nose. Blast of cranberry fruit, cherries, vanilla on the palate. There is a heavy citrus tone to the acidity that I didn't pick up last time. If you like some grapefruit on your palate, you'll be happy. THere is a nice balance here between sweet dark fruit and tart cherry/citrus notes. Rather rich on the palate, but never clumsy. This bottle is consistent with the bottle from last April, I can't say much has changed looking at my last note. Delicious now. Drink it. Love it.
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Broke one out because of the new mailer... Day1, no decant: Terrific acidity makes this wine absolutely pop. Their is wonderful, pure pinot fruit here, and the wine's balanced acidity really makes it lively on the palate. This is a wine to sip and smell and savor. A really wonderful expression of pinot.
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14.2% alcohol. decanted. my last experience with this wine wasn't that hot, and i said at the time that i would hold my remaining bottles. well, with a new mailer looming, i decided to revisit. it's much redder than i prefer in a sonoma coast vineyard, and it remains very tannic; nevertheless, this is a better showing than last, and it gives me hope that cellaring will be kind to it's development. if this gets up to a 91 pointer, i'd say that was pretty good. very thick on the tongue, and this will never be a highly nuanced pinot. what works in it's favor is that thomas is conservative in his pricing.
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Day 1: Did not decant. Dark red/black color. The wine was closed on the nose, and giving up very little on the palate, but seems to have something down in there. Primarily red fruits - cherry, cranberry, raspberry, along with a hint of mandarin oranges and some cola. Tart acid but balanced - tannins are quite soft and somewhat integrated, but this really seems like it will come together and emerge to be very nice in a few years. Somewhat elegant, but pretty simple. It did not have that forest floor/funkiness that I find in so many pinots - and don't like. Day 2: Tart, cherry pie, cola, still don't think this is showing all it has. Pretty simple - lacks complexity at this stage.
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This wine was right in our wheelhouse. Intoxicating nose of red fruit, freshly fallen pine needles with a touch of citrus. The palate is full of tart red fruit leaning toward cranberries, red raspberries and a nice baker's spice component. The palate has a nice roundness and cleanness to it that is just lovely. The lingering finish provides a nice ending to a wonderful wine experience.
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34th Street Extravaganza (34th Street Cafe, Austin, TX): Dark fruit again, but this color betrays the nose and palate. A remarkably well balanced wine that shows no sign of the Syrah-Pinot style and it really delivers. I can see this getting much better over the next few years. Some folks will find this lean, but for lovers of dry style Pinot, this is a home-run.
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This wine is all about balance. Excellent black/dark-skinnned fruit flavors coupled with pinot-spices. Dark ruby color - long finish, no hotness. Fantastic offering at a very fair price.
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Pretty red color, cloudy. Red fruits predominate: cherry, cranberry and raspberry, with an undertaste of mandarin oranges. Tart acid more in balance than the 2004 Summa. A pretty wine, somewhat simple, but quite tasty.
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Chicago Pinot Dinner with Steve Rigisich (Feast Restaurant): Dark ruby in color. Reticent nose offers dark cherry fruit and loamy notes. Palate is tight and locked down -- not showing much in the way of richness or complexity. Give it time.
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Rivers-Marie Dinner (Sage Restaurant - Newport Beach, CA): 140 cases produced. 67% new French oak. 14.2% alcohol. This wine is wide open for business and tasting really great. Aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries, and spice. A burst of juicy red fruits on the palate coupled with bright acidity. A charming wine with a lot of youthful appeal. Perhaps a bit simpler than the Summa wines, but why knock simple when it brings such instant gratification?
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deep dark rich black cherry, intriguing nose, a bit tannic......will try the rest tonight and see how it developed. Still going strong on the next night. Wait a while to pop these!
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Medium ruby color, beautiful flavors of raspberry/strawberry and full of bright red fruit on the nose. Really opened up after a few hours to reveal a very smooth, somewhat tart finish. I like the acids in this wine and it went wonderfully with food. This was my first Rivers Marie pinot so I need to try more, and can't wait to try the 2006's.
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certainly a different take on occidental fruit when compared to kistler. i can't say i'm too enamored by it, despite my friendship with thomas brown, whom i admire. i've spent the entire night swirling, sipping, evaluating, trying to embrace this...but i can't. it lacks nuance, and is more like an anvil on your head than a wine of interesting constitution. if you want something that is big, bold, alcoholic, and simple, be my guest. too young? not really; something should be showing in the present. i'm going to hold all my R-M pinots...i've got nothing to lose. but, i've been grossly disappointed with what i have been tasting in the bottle up to now (03-05).
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Very nice nose that smelled exactly like Pinot. Plum, cherry, some earthy notes, and a bit of minerality showed on the hard and chunky palate. I'd let these rest for a couple years before trying again, but it shows good balance of fruit and acidity.
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Nice deep purple color. Could not keep my nose out of the glass. Incredible floral, forest, and blackberry nose. Loads of fruit on the palate. Sassafras was the first thing that came to mind. Also some definite cola and spice components. The nose was as good as the taste. It is going to be hard to keep my hands off of the others I have.
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Wow! Kosta-Browne-ish in intensity. Lots of spice, vanilla, and cherry flavors. Decanted 90 minutes. This wine was amazing from the first sip to the last!!!
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My first RM! Dark raspberry color. GORGEOUS nose of fresh crushed wild berry/raspberry, sarsaparilla, sweet pine sap, fresh earth, cherry blossom florals. Lush feel in the mouth, dripping sweet dark wild berry fruit, yet has some tart pomegranate/cranberry as well. Nice interplay....reminds me of a Kosta Browne Sonoma, and ROAR mix! Tingly acid and tannin, deep deep flavors.....smooth and balanced. Very tasty wine here....and should even be better in a couple years. TRB has the touch!
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New Pinot at 35th St. Bistro (Seattle, WA): Deep dark red with a purplish tint. The nose is dark, brooding, and earthy. Smokey, toasty, with red and black fruits. Nice bright acidity and soft tannin. Long finish.
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Decanted for 1.5 hr. This wine exhibited a dark garnet color with beautiful aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, huckleberries and plums that were supported by hints of brown sugar and cinnamon elements. It was tough to get my nose out of the glass to proceed to tasting this wine. On the palate, ripe raspberry and cherry fruits were dominant with elements of pomegranate and earthiness surfacing as you approach the finish. Wonderful mouthfeel, silky tannins, great aciditiy. Can't wait to see how some downtime will affect this wine. HS94
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Brilliant stuff. Tres wow factor. Immediately after opening this exuded spicy brown sugar carrot-cake, with mulberries, cola, kumquats, and dark cherries. Captivating nose. The very first sip was short, but it immediately blossomed into a slightly tight but rich, tangy-long pomegranate / dark fruit number with layers of minerals and spice. Can a wine be this edgy and this balanced at the same time? YES!!! Only going to get better with a pleasant but evident structure in place. A real gem.
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Ok, so I caved and through one of these into the decanter about an hour ago. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's too soon, I know. But, at least I wasn't sucking down my first glass while the UPS dude was still in my driveway trying to get the truck in reverse like some of you... First glass...reticent nose, that slowly reveals dark fruit, cola, some cherry notes. On the palate, ah...lush dark fruit, some raspberry, pie crust elements. A nice minerality cuts a swath across the back end. Very long finish that lingers. A beuaty, for sure. A youngin', but a beauty. Update later.
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This was my first Rivers-Marie pinot. I was a little surprised how ripe this was. It certainly leaned toward the darker side of the fruit spectrum and showed a touch of cinammon or nutmeg. It had nice high acidity and was not as heavy in the mouth as some of the fruit bomb Cali pinots. Very good. I am looking forawrd to drinking some of their other efforts.
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The Wines of Thomas Rivers Brown (Orange County, CA): Layered nose of candied red fruit, boysenberry, and cherry pie. On the palate, ripe raspberries, earth, mineral, and spice. Nice acidity. Lush and opulent, yet elegant and drinking very well now. This is a winner!
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9/18/2021 - Nanda wrote: 90 Points
I didn’t enjoy this as much as my prior bottle three+ years ago. The fruit has great concentration it just felt a little more sweet and less fresh then the prior bottle. Lots of fun mint and spice accents. Time to drink up.
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1/10/2020 - sjtave Likes this wine:
Beautiful. Had a glass via Coravin just over a year ago, and thought the flavors and aromas were nice but the body a little thin. This time, gave it about an hour to come to temperature and about 15 minutes in the glass and it was singing from the start. Primarily red fruits (cherry/cranberry) with some hints of black and blue berries; nose of baking spices and a little funk. Great, well-rounded mouthfeel and really no off notes. Didn’t get the sense that this is about to go over a cliff, but there’s no reason to hold these any longer.
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6/15/2019 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 91 Points
This opaque garnet wine was sampled in single-blind fashion at a global Pinot Noir tasting. Ripe and fairly heavily extracted, it delivers a core of dark bramble fruits, black cherries, baking spices, orange zest, smoke and lavender. For a Pinot, this is a full-bodied wine that supports its lush fruit with fresh acidity, moderate oak and residual tannins that are silky in texture. Despite its ripeness, the alcohol (listed as 14.2%) is nicely integrated. Dense in the middle and finishing with impressive length, this is a delicious mature Pinot that should be at its best over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2022.
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11/4/2018 - Paul Lin wrote: 91 Points
Drinking very well right now. Not as bright and lush as in its youth but it has staved off the secondary characteristics of aging pretty well thus far. Notes of ripe cherry, raspberries, and strawberries.
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1/14/2018 - Nanda wrote: 94 Points
Pop, poured and enjoyed over a few hours. Quite possibly my favorite Rivers Marie Pinot showing in over a decade of buying, cellaring and drinking the wines (and simultaneously, albeit slowly, shifting to and favoring Burgundy over that same ten years). Such a complete wine that is surely at peak. A mesmerizing nose of red cherry, wintergreen, spice and just the slightest hint of orange peel. The palate is rich while not ripe. Dazzling acidity. Terrific depth and layering. Long, spice-filled and elegant finish. I've always found RM pinots to be delicious, but this one just hit so many more buttons.
Perhaps these coastal RM vineyard sites need 12-15 years to hit my sweet spot.
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12/2/2016 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 92 Points
Came off as fresh and potentially not at peak, with great Sonoma typicity. Nose of cherries and herbs. Sour cherry palate with nice lift and energy. Impressive.
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6/27/2016 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Drank over dinner last night, was shared amongst friends so nothing to retaste today. From memory, this was holding up well, still showing plenty of fruit and just some emerging hints of maturity, mainly in the color and also the palate impression. However, these were minority aspects of a wine that at 10 years old is showing well.
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12/16/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 92 Points
Tasting Group Holiday Party (Mouton, Laurent, Essencia, Hundred Acre, Staglin, +++) (University Circle): Interesting to have this side by side with the 05 Laurent CdlR. This is drinking so much younger. Very deep ruby/purple in color. The nose is very nice with dark cherries, sour cherries and slight weedy/herbal note. Though green, I liked it and did not find that quality off putting. Interesting. I meant to go back to see if it blew off, but forgot. The palate has great sour cherries with nice acidity. Perhaps the slightest of root beer notes. Very food friendly. I think there is still further potential here.
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1/19/2015 - Nanda Likes this wine: 92 Points
Broad, full and appealing nose that unmistakably the Sonoma coast. Bright red cranberry, strawberry and cherry fruits, stemmy toasted herbs, clove, all spice and evergreen notes. Palate has medium rich fruit with bright juicy acidity. Fresh, pure and long. Spice-filled red fruit finish.
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12/3/2013 - tederf wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for a couple of hours. Agree with many other notes - I also got the dark cherry with cranberry and spice. I found it bright and tasty with a long finish. I didn't get a lot of alcohol and felt the acid level was fine. Glad I have some more of this.
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11/26/2013 - rjoyer wrote:
Occidental certainly sticks out as a sore thumb (to me at least) when compared to the other '05 Rivers Marie wines (Summa OV, Summa and Sonoma Coast), especially in the early days (I have fewer data points with the newer vintages, especially now with the addition of Gioia and Silver Eagle). That said, this wine has grown up quite a bit with a few years of age and sits in what I would consider to be a prime drinking window after 2+ hours of air. Cinnamon, clove and cocoa notes all come and go, but the backbone is all centered on dark cranberries. My nits would be that I'd like a bit more acidity and that there is some wood tannin, suggesting that further aging is an option, though I plan to drink my remaining bottle by Thanksgiving 2015.
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11/17/2013 - Mrbuzz wrote: 94 Points
Sadly my last bottle from release....drinking beautifully! Darker wild berry(cherry,cranberry,raspberry) showing just a tad of age.....wonderful sandalwood spice box, stem funk, forest floor, tobacco.....still has a bright crunch to the cranberry skin acidity....balanced well with the aging fruit. Even a little pomegranate liqueur, and some hay bale. Tasty wine here, aging well!
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5/13/2013 - MarkC Does not like this wine:
I tend to love R-M Pinots, but, unfortunately, this bottle was all alcohol and very little fruit, both on the nose and the palate.
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9/3/2012 - pjhr wrote: 93 Points
Starts out a bit über ripe but comes together beautifully with a touch of air. Lovely nose, acidity and finish that make this simply delicious!
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12/27/2011 - fisk15 wrote: 86 Points
This bottle was much more pruney and over ripe tasting than the previous. A bit four square, without the forest and pine notes mixed with tart red fruit noted in other bottles. Marking this up to variation.
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12/8/2011 - Federsin Likes this wine:
First of four bottles, opened and poured, darker red in the glass, cherries on the nose, medium bodied wine with cassis, black cherries and a bit of spice and earth, good texture (dry extract?) and mouth feel, good acidity, long finish, delicious wine, it would be interesting to see how this wine continues to age, but it is definitely drinking well now
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12/2/2011 - Paul Lin wrote: 89 Points
This wine is starting to see some evolution. Notes of Queen Anne cherries, blood oranges, and cranberry sauce (with hints of clove and orange peel). Red fruited across the palate. Tart yet ripe with some mixed wild berries on the finish. The level of complexity has dropped compared to previous bottles, and this one even shows a touch of heat, but I still think this wine is still on the upswing.
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11/14/2011 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 93 Points
Saturday afternoon with friends: I thought this was fantastic. Its full throttle and young. Despite its size, it is balanced. Perhaps a slight bit of alcohol showing. Lots of dark cherries on the nose and palate. Nice aacidity. Long finish. Lots of time for this, but lots of fun right now.
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8/20/2011 - Lessthanzero wrote: 90 Points
Color me confused. I just don't understand what the hubub is all about. Well crafted pinot, but big, with lots of alcohol, and aslight glue-y-ness that never quite disappeared. Othrerwise tart, sour cherries, red fruit, with some cinnamon spice thrown in. I don't think I'm drinking this too early?
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6/1/2011 - OCgasman wrote: 92 Points
Just an excellent bottle of wine. Delicious. In a good place now.
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3/12/2011 - Brewcreu Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic wine. Upon first opening the wine was not overblown. Dark fruit on the first taste, with the alcohol giving a slight citrus mouthfeel. Finish was of red cherries. After being open for an hour the alcohol had burned off a bit, but still the tannin/alcohol/fruit balance was still perfect. Much more in a burgundian style than the typical fruity California pinot.
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2/20/2011 - DougLee wrote: 92 Points
Dark ruby color. Nose of musk, raspberry, anise, lilies, earth. Drenching, concentrated fruit on the palate with layers of spicy black raspberry, cherry, and iodine. Big wine with a healthy slug of alcohol but also enticing acidity and minerality amidst austere tannins. Long finish with echoes of raspberry, iron, and cola. This wine has really blossomed in the 2 years since the last taste, and has years more to go.
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1/23/2011 - wequedad wrote: 93 Points
Just magic. Wonderful clear ruby color almost to the rim. Nose of curshed berries and cranberry with mushroom/forest floor notes. Perfectly balanced. Just the right acidity to offset the fruit and and tannins. Slightly chewy with waves of dark cherry, cassis, leather and spice. Long finish.
I'm a big fan of the Summa Old Vines but this belongs in the same league. Three to go.
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1/18/2011 - jfkwines wrote:
Significantly more earth and minerals than The 07 SC that we drank with this. This is really good stuff, heavy doses of blueberries, with a slight hint of vanilla and wonderful earthiness makes this a wine ready to go now. We really enjoyed it.
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12/31/2010 - toddjerry wrote: 93 Points
Dark, deep red in color. Big, brooding in the mouth. Plenty of tannin, but great balance, red fruits, forest floor, mineral streak, great complexity. Really enjoyable. Drinking well, and will last a while.
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12/23/2010 - thomaskeil wrote: 90 Points
PnP (3 nights). Dark reddish violet. Nose is forward, showing cherry/cranberry fruit, musky spices, and some stone/mineral. Palate dominated by round dark fruit, though it has acidity and soft tannins, it lacks tension. Complexity hinted at on the nose, not well expressed on palate. Very nice flavors, but a bit simple; saved by great balance. Held up well on nights 2 and 3.
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12/17/2010 - JFish wrote:
Quick TN: Telltale TRB nose. Forest floor, spice, cranberry and a touch of sweetness. Drinking very well now.
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11/25/2010 - silton wrote:
Consistent descriptors as previous notes, but more integrated and consistent. I enjoyed this a great deal despite being partially congested.
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11/13/2010 - fisk15 wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour, cloudy in appearance and throwing sediment. Initially, lots of forest and earthy notes. As it opened up, there was a cherry/cranberry richness to the wine that was balanced and wonderful. In a great place right now.
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8/18/2010 - nfafoglia wrote: 93 Points
Bright red fruit and scorched earth on the nose. Licorice, mushroom and bright red fruit on the palate. Floor-of-the-forest. A dead ringer of a Chambolle-Musigny. A real beauty that has plenty of life ahead of it. Gets better as the night progresses.
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6/19/2010 - SMG Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not quite as good as the last bottle consumed back in January but still very enjoyable. The nose on this is very nice. This is full of fruit, including raspberry, plum, cherry, cranberry, cinnamon, cola, and spice. Slightly tart. Somewhat ripe but definitely not over-ripe. This is very balanced - no sign of alcohol. What a pleasure to drink. I believe this is just entering into the peak drinking window and will remain here for a few years.
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1/6/2010 - Vinomarcus wrote: 90 Points
Wednesday Night Blind - January 2010 (Peter Pratt's Inn): I liked this a good deal, it was not the best performance I'd had from this wine, but it was very good. Some folks guessed Syrah perhaps with a dollop of Viognier added in. It did have a very floral nose, so that correlation was not much of a stretch. It certainly didn't taste like typical Pinot and the guesses of Syrah really did follow the flavor profile presented by the wine. It was big, a bit sappy, had a touch of heat and was a bit chewy on the palate. Not typical of Pinot. One taster said that it tasted a bit like all those Cali high octane Pinots he hates so much (he's a big burg fan and brought the Rousseau), when he said that, the game was up and I unveiled the wine. Most were surprised, he was wasn't. Anyhoo, I like the wine for what it is and am very glad to have more in my cellar.
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1/2/2010 - SMG wrote: 93 Points
Did not decant. What a change from the last bottle consumed 2 years ago. The nose on this is incredible. This is full of fruit, including raspberry, plum, cherry, cranberry, cinnamon, cola, and spice. Slightly tart. Somewhat ripe but definitely not over-ripe. This is very balanced - no sign of alcohol. What a pleasure to drink. I believe this is just entering into the peak drinking window and will remain here for about 5 years.
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12/5/2009 - sco3point14 wrote:
Strong whiffs of forest floor at opening give way to a panoply of dark fruit - plum, black cherry, and hints of berry. Full-on blast of fruit predominates the nose, with the oak presence only subtly revealed. Flirts with the edge of over-ripe but never quite gets there...remains nicely balanced if also big. The fruit also has a slightly tart edge to it...the acidity helps keep the wine in balance. Strong through the mid-palate. Hints of sassafras on the finish, but not in abundance. Probably entering its peak drinking window, as the ripeness level could become a concern if the big fruit ever fades out. Great example of Cali PN.
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10/23/2009 - gregg g wrote:
OMFG good! The nose that keeps on giving. Intoxicating, rich, plush, delicate and long. Incredible.
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10/1/2009 - fisk15 wrote: 94 Points
No heat, tastes of stewed cherry in a good way with cinnamon. Tart red fruits but balanced. Awesome.
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5/4/2009 - pjhr wrote: 93 Points
As delicious as the last bottle with but more prominent sour cherry notes.
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2/28/2009 - DougLee wrote: 91 Points
Uncorked and aerated in the glass for 90 minutes. Very dark ruby. Nose of cranberry, black raspberry, lots of citrus, some iodine, oolong tea. Extracted dark fruits with plenty of tart acidity and brooding structure on the palate along with moderate tannins and long, ringing finish. Very early in its evolution, with character to burn.
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2/5/2009 - Mrbuzz wrote: 95 Points
Tasty! Much like my last note almost a couple years ago....fresh crushed wild raspberries, tart crancherry, pine sap, sarsaparilla, earth and tobacco spice. Still bright with tart acidity, but a couple years of age has "darkened" it a bit....deeper spice, more cola, molasses, dark chocolate Christmas spice cake! I commented last time about a Kosta Browne Sonoma/ROAR interplay.....I think that hits it right on! Tartness acid, florals of ROAR....dark cola, floral earth/tobacco of KB Sonoma.....all perfectly balanced and tasty as hell! Wish I had a bunch more of these '05's. Wait on the '06.....it needs more time.
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1/26/2009 - Screameagle wrote: 92 Points
I drank my other 2 bottles was to soon. this wine is just starting to come into its prime. still needs a 1-2 decant to show its stuff. as good as it is now it should iimprove with another year or two of ageing. the best RM I've ever consumted that's for sure.
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11/28/2008 - ChrisR wrote: 91 Points
Open for Thanksgiving. Cloudy red in color. Nose of red fruits, orange and a little oak. Cherry, cranberry and orange, and oak spiciness. Medium-bodied, with strong acidity (good with the food). The wine had gained considerable depth from the last time I had had it, making me regret that it is my last bottle.
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11/27/2008 - RussW wrote:
This bottle was an improvement over the first one I opened in May. The fruit is still on the richer end of the spectrum but the sweetness has toned down and some acidity shows itself. The nose shows lots of floral elements with darker fruit and citrus. On the palate lots of darker red fruits with a nice orange rind note. The finish could be a bit longer but a nice pinot that went well with the Thanksgiving meal. I would recommend decanting this for an hour or so and I think this still has some upside with another year or two of age, so I plan to hold of on opening my last bottle.
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9/21/2008 - jwsmith wrote: 89 Points
Good wine not great sour and fruity tart, not much too this wine.
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9/11/2008 - JFish wrote:
Recommended by TRB as one of his wines that is open for business. The nose on all of his wines is so distinct and amazing. On the palate this wine is showing dark fruit, like rhubarb and spice. It is a touch on the sweet side but not cloying or heavy. Good acidity and finish. It still seems primary with the oak needing to integrate. My remaining bottle will rest a few years. This should turn into something special.
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7/22/2008 - markjahnke wrote: 91 Points
NJ Pinot Noir Tasting - June 21st OFFLINE - took place on July 22nd (New Jersey): Still drinking very young I think, but a damn tasty wine! Decanted for 30 minutes before first pour, giving off a nose of big black fruits...black cherry, raspberry, and the slightest hint of tangerine and spice. Tangerine? WTF! But very pleasant. On the palate, had I tasted this blind, I would have thought for sure someone was trying to pull a fast one and slip a syrah in there. More red fruit, raspberry, cherry, vanilla, and lots of spice made this very syrah like. Regardless, it was good now, and I think it will get better with time in the bottle!
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5/5/2008 - RussW wrote:
Just OK for me. The finish is a tad short and although this is obviously a well made wine a bit too dark on the fruit spectrum, not enough acidity and a bit monolithic. I'll hold my remaining bottles to see if this improves with some short term cellaring but I'm not so sure.
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4/19/2008 - jbaron wrote: 89 Points
Opens considerably in the first hour. Seems quite primary, with plummy and white pepper notes. The nose is subdued; the length is okay. Seems well made, but when it finally settled down, it just seemed like there's not a lot there yet. Not as tasty or as nicely lifted as the 2004 Sonoma Coast.
NA-1: Need a good hour of air.
NA-2: Try next in ... Will it go anywhere?
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4/9/2008 - silton wrote: 93 Points
Explosive nose, long flavors of rhubarb, rose, black cherry and spice.
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3/30/2008 - jerhardt wrote: 92 Points
A great California pinot. Dark red and black fruit; medium to full bodied for a pinot, but well balanced and delicious. Feels like one to drink over the short to medium term.
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3/21/2008 - JonnyB wrote: 90 Points
same thoughts as last July, deep dark rich black cherry, intriguing nose, throwing off some tannins now. I am sure this will keep developing. Great stuff.
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3/14/2008 - jwsmith wrote: 90 Points
Very dark rich and big almost syrah like wine. Not my style but I did start to open up after an hour and give way to finese and style of pinot fruit
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2/10/2008 - mclgreenville wrote: 92 Points
Concentrated dark red color. Refreshing nose of cherries,sweet citrus and vanilla. It almost smelled like a air freshener. In a good way...Wink Almost cherry cola. Really nice.
Flavors of more cherries and vanilla. This one my second favorite. Had a bit of acidity that tingled the sides of my tongue and a long and balanced finish. The second time around the fruit came forward a bit more but not a drastic change.
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2/2/2008 - willison wrote: 92 Points
Just as good as the last one...
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1/31/2008 - HurrahSyrah wrote: 93 Points
4th Street Pinot Noir Showdown (4th St. Wine Shop- Greenville, NC): Splash decanted and consumed over a period of 2 hours. This wine exhibited a garnet/dark garnet color. On the nose, aromas of pomegranate, black cherries, raspberries and huckleberries with hints of orange peel and cocoa. On the palate, core flavors of black cherries, pomegranate and cranberry were complemented by notes of baking spices and vanilla leading to hints of earthiness on the finish. Again, wonderful mouthfeel with silky tannins and balanced acidity. This was a joy to drink... and I think I scored a tad high the last time I had it... but definitely a solid 93. HS93
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1/28/2008 - pjhr wrote: 93 Points
A gorgeous pinot! Lovely raspberry, earth, pine, and a hint of grapefruit on the nose and palate. Long delicious finish with well balanced acidity.
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1/28/2008 - Meerlust wrote: 92 Points
Dark burgundy center with light red rim. The explosive nose begins with an earthy note but quickly changes to pomegranite, sasafrass, and chocolate. Once in the mouth, red and black fruits such as raspberry and pomegranite coat the palate with chocolate highlights that ease into tart cherry and orange peel. This wine is all about balance. It is full flavored without being heavy, and the well rounded tannins on the long finish bode will for aging. Overall, this reminds me of Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast without the hedonistic ripeness of the KB. 14.2% alcohol.
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1/25/2008 - decaturwinedude wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit and cola on the nose. Blast of cranberry fruit, cherries, vanilla on the palate. There is a heavy citrus tone to the acidity that I didn't pick up last time. If you like some grapefruit on your palate, you'll be happy. THere is a nice balance here between sweet dark fruit and tart cherry/citrus notes. Rather rich on the palate, but never clumsy. This bottle is consistent with the bottle from last April, I can't say much has changed looking at my last note. Delicious now. Drink it. Love it.
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1/23/2008 - Rich Hanna wrote: 92 Points
Broke one out because of the new mailer...
Day1, no decant:
Terrific acidity makes this wine absolutely pop. Their is wonderful, pure pinot fruit here, and the wine's balanced acidity really makes it lively on the palate. This is a wine to sip and smell and savor. A really wonderful expression of pinot.
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1/21/2008 - jeff nowak wrote: 89 Points
14.2% alcohol. decanted. my last experience with this wine wasn't that hot, and i said at the time that i would hold my remaining bottles. well, with a new mailer looming, i decided to revisit. it's much redder than i prefer in a sonoma coast vineyard, and it remains very tannic; nevertheless, this is a better showing than last, and it gives me hope that cellaring will be kind to it's development. if this gets up to a 91 pointer, i'd say that was pretty good. very thick on the tongue, and this will never be a highly nuanced pinot. what works in it's favor is that thomas is conservative in his pricing.
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1/20/2008 - SMG wrote: 90 Points
Day 1: Did not decant. Dark red/black color. The wine was closed on the nose, and giving up very little on the palate, but seems to have something down in there. Primarily red fruits - cherry, cranberry, raspberry, along with a hint of mandarin oranges and some cola. Tart acid but balanced - tannins are quite soft and somewhat integrated, but this really seems like it will come together and emerge to be very nice in a few years. Somewhat elegant, but pretty simple. It did not have that forest floor/funkiness that I find in so many pinots - and don't like.
Day 2: Tart, cherry pie, cola, still don't think this is showing all it has. Pretty simple - lacks complexity at this stage.
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1/14/2008 - Elkiholic wrote: 95 Points
This wine was right in our wheelhouse. Intoxicating nose of red fruit, freshly fallen pine needles with a touch of citrus. The palate is full of tart red fruit leaning toward cranberries, red raspberries and a nice baker's spice component. The palate has a nice roundness and cleanness to it that is just lovely. The lingering finish provides a nice ending to a wonderful wine experience.
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12/22/2007 - tewino wrote: 92 Points
Nice toast/oak. Lush but very pinot. Some said Burgundy.
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11/26/2007 - stillers 'nat wrote: 89 Points
had at thanksgiving. liked it, but was opened too early. will wait at least a year to have another.
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11/24/2007 - jwsmith wrote: 90 Points
Good color and balance, very tart almost sour apple/cherry. Good not great, it was tasted with Sea Smoke and Arcadian.
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10/17/2007 - steffenpelz wrote:
34th Street Extravaganza (34th Street Cafe, Austin, TX): Dark fruit again, but this color betrays the nose and palate. A remarkably well balanced wine that shows no sign of the Syrah-Pinot style and it really delivers. I can see this getting much better over the next few years. Some folks will find this lean, but for lovers of dry style Pinot, this is a home-run.
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9/29/2007 - Big_Al wrote: 92 Points
This wine is all about balance. Excellent black/dark-skinnned fruit flavors coupled with pinot-spices. Dark ruby color - long finish, no hotness. Fantastic offering at a very fair price.
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9/10/2007 - TomTom wrote: 88 Points
Lean, tight, just not showing much right now. Some structure, but I'm a little worried this will not evolve to a good place.
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8/26/2007 - ChrisR wrote: 90 Points
Pretty red color, cloudy. Red fruits predominate: cherry, cranberry and raspberry, with an undertaste of mandarin oranges. Tart acid more in balance than the 2004 Summa. A pretty wine, somewhat simple, but quite tasty.
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8/14/2007 - winefool wrote: 92 Points
eBob California Pinot offline with Steve R. (Feast): Medium BRIGHT black fruit nose. Big black cherry fruit with bracing acidity and firm tannins. Good upside potential. 92-93 pts.
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8/14/2007 - Nanda wrote:
Chicago Pinot Dinner with Steve Rigisich (Feast Restaurant): Dark ruby in color. Reticent nose offers dark cherry fruit and loamy notes. Palate is tight and locked down -- not showing much in the way of richness or complexity. Give it time.
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7/28/2007 - Paul Lin wrote: 92 Points
Rivers-Marie Dinner (Sage Restaurant - Newport Beach, CA): 140 cases produced. 67% new French oak. 14.2% alcohol. This wine is wide open for business and tasting really great. Aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries, and spice. A burst of juicy red fruits on the palate coupled with bright acidity. A charming wine with a lot of youthful appeal. Perhaps a bit simpler than the Summa wines, but why knock simple when it brings such instant gratification?
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7/18/2007 - zazim wrote: flawed
Corked!
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7/4/2007 - JonnyB wrote: 90 Points
deep dark rich black cherry, intriguing nose, a bit tannic......will try the rest tonight and see how it developed. Still going strong on the next night. Wait a while to pop these!
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7/1/2007 - Ki Punwar wrote: 95 Points
Medium ruby color, beautiful flavors of raspberry/strawberry and full of bright red fruit on the nose. Really opened up after a few hours to reveal a very smooth, somewhat tart finish. I like the acids in this wine and it went wonderfully with food.
This was my first Rivers Marie pinot so I need to try more, and can't wait to try the 2006's.
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6/24/2007 - budman wrote: 92 Points
Much more like the first bottle. Concentrated!
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6/14/2007 - jeff nowak wrote: 86 Points
certainly a different take on occidental fruit when compared to kistler. i can't say i'm too enamored by it, despite my friendship with thomas brown, whom i admire. i've spent the entire night swirling, sipping, evaluating, trying to embrace this...but i can't. it lacks nuance, and is more like an anvil on your head than a wine of interesting constitution. if you want something that is big, bold, alcoholic, and simple, be my guest. too young? not really; something should be showing in the present. i'm going to hold all my R-M pinots...i've got nothing to lose. but, i've been grossly disappointed with what i have been tasting in the bottle up to now (03-05).
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6/3/2007 - MarkC wrote: 90 Points
Very nice nose that smelled exactly like Pinot. Plum, cherry, some earthy notes, and a bit of minerality showed on the hard and chunky palate. I'd let these rest for a couple years before trying again, but it shows good balance of fruit and acidity.
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5/31/2007 - budman wrote: 88 Points
Nowhere near as good as the last bottle. Maybe a flawed one.
Pleasant, but nothing special.
I had high hopes, based on the last bottle.
Poop.
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5/28/2007 - willison wrote: 92 Points
Nice deep purple color. Could not keep my nose out of the glass. Incredible floral, forest, and blackberry nose. Loads of fruit on the palate. Sassafras was the first thing that came to mind. Also some definite cola and spice components. The nose was as good as the taste. It is going to be hard to keep my hands off of the others I have.
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5/22/2007 - goofy Yno wrote: 86 Points
a touch of barnyard, cola, cherry. tart mouth
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5/22/2007 - kstoddard wrote:
Cola, raspberry and strawberry. Extracted and monolithic. Not a fan of this style of wine making.
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5/20/2007 - budman wrote: 93 Points
Wow! Kosta-Browne-ish in intensity. Lots of spice, vanilla, and cherry flavors.
Decanted 90 minutes. This wine was amazing from the first sip to the last!!!
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5/18/2007 - charbo wrote:
lost my notes From 2 wks ago but loved this wine
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5/17/2007 - Tel007 wrote:
Very nice wine. Great balance, nice fruit, long finish.
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5/17/2007 - Mrbuzz wrote: 95 Points
My first RM! Dark raspberry color. GORGEOUS nose of fresh crushed wild berry/raspberry, sarsaparilla, sweet pine sap, fresh earth, cherry blossom florals. Lush feel in the mouth, dripping sweet dark wild berry fruit, yet has some tart pomegranate/cranberry as well. Nice interplay....reminds me of a Kosta Browne Sonoma, and ROAR mix! Tingly acid and tannin, deep deep flavors.....smooth and balanced. Very tasty wine here....and should even be better in a couple years. TRB has the touch!
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5/6/2007 - kris.h wrote: 93 Points
New Pinot at 35th St. Bistro (Seattle, WA): Deep dark red with a purplish tint. The nose is dark, brooding, and earthy. Smokey, toasty, with red and black fruits. Nice bright acidity and soft tannin. Long finish.
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4/24/2007 - HurrahSyrah wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hr. This wine exhibited a dark garnet color with beautiful aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, huckleberries and plums that were supported by hints of brown sugar and cinnamon elements. It was tough to get my nose out of the glass to proceed to tasting this wine. On the palate, ripe raspberry and cherry fruits were dominant with elements of pomegranate and earthiness surfacing as you approach the finish. Wonderful mouthfeel, silky tannins, great aciditiy. Can't wait to see how some downtime will affect this wine. HS94
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4/17/2007 - silton wrote: 94 Points
Brilliant stuff. Tres wow factor. Immediately after opening this exuded spicy brown sugar carrot-cake, with mulberries, cola, kumquats, and dark cherries. Captivating nose. The very first sip was short, but it immediately blossomed into a slightly tight but rich, tangy-long pomegranate / dark fruit number with layers of minerals and spice. Can a wine be this edgy and this balanced at the same time? YES!!! Only going to get better with a pleasant but evident structure in place. A real gem.
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4/14/2007 - decaturwinedude wrote: 92 Points
Ok, so I caved and through one of these into the decanter about an hour ago. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's too soon, I know. But, at least I wasn't sucking down my first glass while the UPS dude was still in my driveway trying to get the truck in reverse like some of you...
First glass...reticent nose, that slowly reveals dark fruit, cola, some cherry notes. On the palate, ah...lush dark fruit, some raspberry, pie crust elements. A nice minerality cuts a swath across the back end. Very long finish that lingers. A beuaty, for sure. A youngin', but a beauty. Update later.
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4/6/2007 - psmith wrote:
Some clear new-world features but a nicely restrained wine with a spicy edge. Hard structured and relatively high acid. Very enjoyable.
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3/28/2007 - clee wrote: 91 Points
This was my first Rivers-Marie pinot. I was a little surprised how ripe this was. It certainly leaned toward the darker side of the fruit spectrum and showed a touch of cinammon or nutmeg. It had nice high acidity and was not as heavy in the mouth as some of the fruit bomb Cali pinots. Very good. I am looking forawrd to drinking some of their other efforts.
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3/24/2007 - Paul Lin wrote: 93 Points
The Wines of Thomas Rivers Brown (Orange County, CA): Layered nose of candied red fruit, boysenberry, and cherry pie. On the palate, ripe raspberries, earth, mineral, and spice. Nice acidity. Lush and opulent, yet elegant and drinking very well now. This is a winner!
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