At Boston Wine & Poker, Needham, July 17, 2022: (Tasted blind) In a pair with a much younger Ponzi Reserve (2017). By contrast, this was a bit cloudier, much oakier, more obviously aged. The flavors were a bit hollow in the mid-palate. It has a slight cola note that I associate with California pinot noirs. Eminently drinkable, but I preferred its lithe Oregonian partner.
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Seductive nose of crushed tart cherries, sassafras/indian spice, smoked cherry wood, deep earth tones with sue's bra starting to show!(sous bois) Tart and perky youthful in the mouth...still has nice snap of cherry and raspberry acidity...transparent in body...silky smooth, yet a little edge. The perfume of the florals, dried fruit, and candied spices are intoxicating! Christmas/forest/sassafras spice, smoked vines, whole cluster funk...ALL in a perfect balance with some air integration. Finishes refreshingly tart, spicy...more about the earth and mineral salinity, than ripe sweet fruit. Just wonderful!
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Medium red center with some orange bricking throughout. Lovely nose of cherry, raspberry, orange blossom, and aged bottle funk. The palate was quite refined, due to time in the bottle, with cherry, raspberry, earth, mint, clove, and watermelon on the finish. This light-bodied wine was silky on the palate with balanced acidity and a long finish. Overall, my bottle embodied many of the characteristics of a great pinot - silky mouthfeel, moderate ripeness and intensity, and balanced acidity. I sampled it over four days, and it held up well over that time. I believe it could age longer but I am not sure it will evolve any more. A cerebral wine from a great vineyard.
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A classic Rivers Marie SC Pinot. This bottle is holding up fabulously well with rich fruit and bright racy acidity. Black and red cherry, orange peel, spice and toast accents. Should hold but don't see it improving.
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Good floral and baking spice start-to-finish. Ripe red and black berries are very tasty here, but with a slightly awkward note of new oak in the middle. Time to drink up.
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Very nice sweet and savory nose with touch of citrus. Predominantly dark fruit, medium-full body, very good balance and tasty long finish. Still needs more time.
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This is as good as Rivers Marie has ever been for me. In a perfect place right now. Tangerine, cola and cranberry. Some creamy vanilla oak on the mid palate. What amazes me about these Rivers Marie pinots is that they are so forward, yet well-balanced. There is a lot of citrus and some decent minerality. At first, the fruit and cola are the most evident. As the wine develops in glass, the minerality comes to the forefront. My last bottle and I think the time was right to drink it. I wouldn't wait.
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This is absolutely delicious. Red cherry color. Lovely bouquet of red cherry, earthy spice, and forest floor notes. In the mouth, gentle and balanced, with a wonderful elegance that contrasts with building flavors on a persistent finish. This is fantastic. A-/A
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Flavors of cranberry, rhubarb and orange rind with just a hint of floral notes. A bit bigger than medium-bodied, but still well proportioned with med+ acidity and fully resolved tannins. No oakiness or alcohol noted. This is drinking well and should hold for at least 3 more years, but I don't see room for improvement.
While I enjoyed this wine, I can't help thinking it was a bit of a letdown. I thought that I had grabbed a 2008 Sonoma coast bottling and frankly, it tasted like one. No real complexity on display, but perhaps offering a but more depth than the "base" offering. Throws off a lot of sediment, ironically, much like the 08 Sonoma coast.
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Lots of red berry and cherry aromas with floral notes. Similar flavor profile, clearly ripe and slightly sweet with nice baking spice on finish. This wine usually absorbs its new oak seamlessly, but tonight it protrudes a trace on both nose and palate.
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Drank side by side with an 06 Occidental, which was better. This was somewhat muted, almost a bit flat. Still, a good bit of red fruit and earthy undertones.
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I think this is my first crack at one of these? Purchased on release……slight cloudy black cherry, rose rim color….wonderful nose of sweet stems, cherry/plum/raspberry puree, dark spice, sassafras, raspberry mint tea. The palate is alive and kickin with a good dose of tart citrus, cherry skin acidity….really freshens the somewhat aged wild berry fruits…perfectly ripe, mid weight, and creamy. Very TASTY floral christmas/forest spice….sassafras, sarsaparilla, smoked vines, cherry vanilla cremes…..seems whole cluster, but I think it's not? Some RM 06's have been very tart and angular….this Summa is in perfect balance to me! Super showing here! Glad to have one or two more!
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Lots of citrus here especially on the palate. The nose changes a lot with air bringing out some complexities along with a strong shot of blackberry. There is not a ton of structure and the acid is rather tart. I also didn't find the complexity on the palate that was on the nose.Still lively on the second night so I don't see any rush in drinking this. The alcohol shows a wee bit. A good Pinot showing Sonoma characters but not really living up to the pedigree.
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An interesting wine, somewhere between fruit forward styling (e.g. Kosta Browne) and those more restrained (e.g. Rhys). Probably drinking near peak right now. Nice aromatics on the nose and balanced on the palate, with a bit of tangy acidity and a stemminess that offsets the fullness of the fruit. Lush mouthfeel.
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decanted before New World Symphony Wallast(Brahms Violin Concerto/ Mahler's 4th Symphony). didn't care for it initially, so i opened an 01 Testarossa Sleepy Hollow which was much better. drank it the next night. Ellen liked it.
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Quick TN. Popped and poured. Not corked like the bottle opened a few weeks ago, which is a relief. Nose has the RM tell-tale orange rind which I love for its uniqueness. Drinking very well and I don't know if this will improve with more time. Red fruits - rasberryish with some light secondary pinot 5 spice notes. The citrusy acidity is there, but in the background giving it lift. Great pairing with "beer can" chicken with a lemon/garlic salt/ginger rub.
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Very perfumed nose of crushed raspberries and red fruit. Wonderfully seductive with a long finish. Not at all as tight as when I last tasted it, this is drinking well. Opened up and decanted for an hour.
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Light ruby in the glass, reserved nose, sweet raspberries on the palate, very smooth and balanced, could possibly age a year or two more and perhaps gain a little more complexity, but a very nice California pinot drinking well now
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Delicious bright red cherry and spice on the nose and palate with a long balanced finish. Definitely delicious but lacking a bit of complexity until the last glass, which exploded with the terroir of Summa!
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Decanted 2 hours (really benefited). Light garnet with some violet. Nose of cherries, red berries, earth, baking spice - cola noted 3 years ago not evident now. Clearly more balanced and almost taut as well with the blowzy fruit still present but firmer as it is framed by the natural acidity and the 'soft' tannins noted before are more evident when not competing with fleshy fruit. Not a compelling wine, but worked really well with food (CR king salmon with cherry sauce). No hurry, but this at or near peak.
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On this night, the best RM wine I have had to date. This is in a wonderful spot for me. Deep blue silky fruits, lovely backing spice and some underbrush. Just fantastic. 1 more in the cellar. Enjoyed this after an '09 L D'Or. Tasting menu at The Foundry. Food was good at times but a few ehs.
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Opened this a couple days after a 07 RM Occidental. This is more brooding, cloudy, fruit didn't seem as fresh. Hard to compare different vintages, but while this is good, not as good as the Occidental on this day.
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Initially a dark, fuler bodied pinot. It calms down with air and also gains some complexity. There is an enticing minerality on the nose and taste, and a little caramel on the nose. However, there is a powerfully acidic mid-palate which makes me think that this wine should be held for another 1-2 years. I will open my second (last) bottle in 2 years.
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Reminds me of a school teacher i had in second grade. She was firm and strict, and had an acidic sense of humour. she did not taste of cranberry, cherries and baking soda though.
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Very disappointing. The color was extremely cloudy and the flavor was a muddy mish-mosh. There were good flavors, cherry and some integrated cola with minerality, but there was too much imprecision. Was this a flawed bottle? Hard to say. It wasn't corked, it wasn't oxidized, I don't think it was cooked, but it's a marginal wine that had enough interesting components to justify an 83 score, but I desperately wanted to put it through some kind of filter to to sort out the good stuff from the bad stuff. I love TRB wines and I've had great bottles of his cabs, grenache and zinfandel. I haven't had a RM pinot in a few years and I do not really remember what they were like when I popped a few on release. Does this note ring a bell with anyone or is it just a freak bottle?
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Still young and rather "tough," with firm (for a Pinot) tannins and not a lot of fruit; wonderful aromas and an excellent match with food; drink this now with a meal or possibly wait to see if it softens, but there is a risk that this will fade more than "open up"
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A bit closed down on the palate in comparison to my 9/09 note. The acids will carry this forward many years and I think it will progressively show more Oregon-like qualities over time. Whether it pops back open or just fades away is a good question. I think it will resolve into being a nice mid-weight, mid-earth, red-fruited food friendly wine. Now it is almost that, especially with air, but it isn't singing in harmony. 89-90
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In contrast with the impressive Willow Creek a few days earlier, this wine is simply not ready to drink. I poured it through a Decantus into a decanter, but it showed little signs of opening up until the bitter end of a slow night about 3 hours later. There's ample raw material in terms of fruit which peeked through in the final glass, but the nose remained elusive throughout. The previous reviewer used terms like "hidden," "stacked," and "firm," and I agree completely. A modestly pleasurable experience tonight, but with higher expectations for the future.
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Really tight upon opening so the wine was decanted. Dark color with a tight nose. After a bit of air this wine showed the dark muscular fruits with a rich mouthfeel. it still seems that there is something hiding behind all of the structure as the wine seems stacked. Maybe in need of some more time to unwind in bottle. Dark fruits with a good silky mouthfeel and nice firm structure. Not the best vintage of summa but still some promise here.
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This wine evolved quite a bit over the course of several hours. Initially, the aromas and flavors were red fruited and the overall impression was one of lightness and delicacy. Then it turned deeper and darker, taking on more heft and complexity. By the end the palate was a mix of ripe blackberries, earthy chalkiness, grilled meat, and lively acidity. The nose had some smoky notes to go along with the dark fruit. Delicious throughout its evolution in the glass.
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Cloudy bright red color. Cherry cola, red fruits, subtle spice, forest floor, good balance. Very burgundian, yet clearly California. A little restrained and will definitely gain complexity with age. Very, very good.
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Really enjoyed this one -- drank over a few hours and definitely improved over time. Sonoma profile with cherry,cola, some pine, spice, tinge of oak. Very balanced and smooth on the palate. Some earthy notes and some complexity/chewiness on the palate without any overbearing heat. Very nice.
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Great aromas, but the palate was so out of balance, it was hard to get past it. Seemed like it was over acidified and the acid up front stuck out. Also some astringency on the palate. Maybe time in the bottle will help this all come together. Too bad since the nose was so good.
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last tasted 18 months ago for a 91pt zinger, now is kinda muddled, reticent fruit, stewed even, and after a 2 hour decant was not ready to strut any stuff.
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Wound up decanting for 2+ hrs before serving, as our dinner party was aborted due to fire evacuation in our apt. building.(Someone left things in their oven, which set on fire when they turned on the self cleaning feature!) Light balanced pinot with cherry notes. Paired well with our crab cakes in spicy gazpacho. Fruity bouquet, and good finish.
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This took a couple hours in the decanter to show its complexities. Before that it was light basic Pinot. Spice and richness show up later as well as the mouth feel becoming more even. Recommend holding a couple more years.
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Annual Dinner with Mark and Megan (Our house. Denver, CO): Decanted 4 hours. Violet red. Nose of dark cherry fruit, cola, spice and a little earth. Palate of medium-high intensity sweet red fruit at entry that builds with oak-spice into midpalate; well-balnced by bright acidity. Soft tannins. Low finesse and complexity. Seemed overblown next to the Rhys and the Trapet, but the wonderful fruit and good structure could mean this will develop with time.
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Dinner at Palate. While clearly on the young side, this wine exhibited a beautifully sweet core of black cherries, red plum, fresh blueberries, and violets. Pure and seamless on the palate, this wine has tremendous precision and focus. Reminded me at times of Chambolle Musigny. 92-93 points.
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Dark cherry and cranberry fruit is complemented by plum skin, bark, minerals, oak, sage, and plenty of acidity (almost searing at first, but receded as the fruit opened up in the decanter). I did not catch any alcohol heat or overzealous extraction. Very nice. Remains excellent on day 2. I like the Tanzer and newsletter notes also.
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Probably my second least favorite of the vertical (02-07, behind the 03), the nose seemed shy and also for me reflected oak, which was not my experience on the other wines, and arguably, not for me a trace of oak on the even younger 2007, maybe like the 2003 even some heat. Again, some graphite/metal notes, with palate being better than the bouquet. Sweet plum, strawberry, candied red apple and a bit of brown spice/sugar.........the oak? Lacks the complexity of the 04, 05 and 07.
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This bottle took a long time to open up. When it did, a lovely nose of pie cherry, spice, nutmeg and vanilla shone through. Palate of cherry with hints of cola, clove, spice and vanilla. Good acidity. This will hold and improve from here.
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Crisp, vibrant pinot that has a core of cranberry and tart cherry. The acidity really carries this wine, that blooms into asian spice, forest floor and warm stones. Very structured, needs to be decanted and should blosom in the cellar. Drink 2010-2016. 91+ pts.
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upon opening very acidic, decanted for 5-6 hrs. Nose of cherries and hay. palate of sour cherries, beautiful wine. very acidic, but enjoyable w/food. Had w/ Beef burgundy. 2nd night, not that acidic, and enjoyable on its own.
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Took this to a restaurant where we followed it for about an hour and a half. Very nice. Cranberry and slightly sour red fruits on the palate, with a nice spice component. Nice verve to it, and the fruit continued to build in intensity as we followed it. Quite enjoyable, though I would have liked to have given it some more air to fully open up.
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Pinot Smackdown 2009 (Barrington IL, Wally's house): nose: understated nose with black cherries, floral tones, and nice spice tones to compliment it. Very lifting and rather subtle that is enjoyable to smell and just let it come to you
taste: very classy and medim/light feel with black cherries, plums, spice, and floral tones. Very vibrant and subtle on the palate with nice medium acidity to give it some backbone
overall: A very elegant and classy pinot. Nice and vibrant and having a richness in the tones without being overdone. Good acidity to let it age a bit and see where this goes, but a very enjoyable wine at this point in time too
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Rated 7 out of 7 th wines at a recent tasting. However, i personally really enjoyed this wine for its balance. It probably needs some time to sort out its future.
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A beautiful wine representing the promise of the true Sonoma Coast; it was poised and elegant and you had the feeling it was exactly the type of wine that the grapes wanted it to be. The nose showed delicate and floral with red cherries, citrus and sassafras. The fruit is sweet and red in the mouth with silky tannins and a cross-current of acidity. There is some earthiness lingering in the background and I would expect that as this develops it will gain some foresty nuances that SC Pinots can provide. More than once it was described as Burgundian, but I think people were referring to the impeccable balance, as this wine is all California. This wine is going to require patience, but with pure fruit, tannic structure and high natural acidity, I expect that such forbearance will be amply rewarded.
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This is a very elegant pinot noir - the nose has a perfumed hint of oak, but surrounded by cola, baking spice, and white chocolate covered berries of all kinds. Nothing is overwhelming, and even the heat is perfectly proportioned, especially considering the youth of this wine. An immediate blast of sweetness hits your palate as you put the wine in your mouth, but it's not really a sweetness in flavor, more of sensation. Silky bodyfeel (in a couple of years, this will be liquid silk) with a hint of steminess around fresh strawberries, a bit of fresh beef, toasted vanilla, and strong cola. After a couple of hours, the sweet fruit comes out, and strong hints of RRV spice. On the second day, it revealed even more of its great balance, particularly with acidity - in 2-3 years, this wine will really shine, and I"m looking forward to it.
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As a confessed burgophile I was impressed with this wine. Excellent balance and quite enjoyable. Good finish. Has that Russia nRiver cola thing but this is to be expected. Reminds me a bit of older Williams-Selyem. Glad I bought some and will again.
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7/19/2022 - talbot61 Likes this wine:
At Boston Wine & Poker, Needham, July 17, 2022: (Tasted blind) In a pair with a much younger Ponzi Reserve (2017). By contrast, this was a bit cloudier, much oakier, more obviously aged. The flavors were a bit hollow in the mid-palate. It has a slight cola note that I associate with California pinot noirs. Eminently drinkable, but I preferred its lithe Oregonian partner.
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11/29/2021 - AaronMaxwell Likes this wine: 93 Points
Surprisingly structured in its age. My first aged Rivers-Marie.
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6/25/2021 - gregg g wrote:
Fuckingdelicious!
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1/14/2020 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 96 Points
Seductive nose of crushed tart cherries, sassafras/indian spice, smoked cherry wood, deep earth tones with sue's bra starting to show!(sous bois) Tart and perky youthful in the mouth...still has nice snap of cherry and raspberry acidity...transparent in body...silky smooth, yet a little edge. The perfume of the florals, dried fruit, and candied spices are intoxicating! Christmas/forest/sassafras spice, smoked vines, whole cluster funk...ALL in a perfect balance with some air integration. Finishes refreshingly tart, spicy...more about the earth and mineral salinity, than ripe sweet fruit. Just wonderful!
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10/25/2019 - Meerlust wrote: 91 Points
Medium red center with some orange bricking throughout. Lovely nose of cherry, raspberry, orange blossom, and aged bottle funk. The palate was quite refined, due to time in the bottle, with cherry, raspberry, earth, mint, clove, and watermelon on the finish. This light-bodied wine was silky on the palate with balanced acidity and a long finish. Overall, my bottle embodied many of the characteristics of a great pinot - silky mouthfeel, moderate ripeness and intensity, and balanced acidity. I sampled it over four days, and it held up well over that time. I believe it could age longer but I am not sure it will evolve any more. A cerebral wine from a great vineyard.
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2/11/2017 - Nanda wrote: 91 Points
A classic Rivers Marie SC Pinot. This bottle is holding up fabulously well with rich fruit and bright racy acidity. Black and red cherry, orange peel, spice and toast accents. Should hold but don't see it improving.
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11/7/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Good floral and baking spice start-to-finish. Ripe red and black berries are very tasty here, but with a slightly awkward note of new oak in the middle. Time to drink up.
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2/15/2016 - Eric Anderson wrote: 90 Points
Very nice sweet and savory nose with touch of citrus. Predominantly dark fruit, medium-full body, very good balance and tasty long finish. Still needs more time.
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1/24/2016 - apounds Likes this wine: 95 Points
10 years old and still going strong. Everything you want in a pinot from nose to palate.
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11/26/2015 - EPounds wrote: 94 Points
This is drinking great right now. Elegant nose with plenty of tart fruit on the palate.
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7/22/2015 - risaacs Likes this wine:
Worth the wait.
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6/17/2015 - fisk15 wrote: 93 Points
Great sand ready to go
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4/4/2015 - galewskj wrote: 93 Points
This is as good as Rivers Marie has ever been for me. In a perfect place right now. Tangerine, cola and cranberry. Some creamy vanilla oak on the mid palate. What amazes me about these Rivers Marie pinots is that they are so forward, yet well-balanced. There is a lot of citrus and some decent minerality. At first, the fruit and cola are the most evident. As the wine develops in glass, the minerality comes to the forefront. My last bottle and I think the time was right to drink it. I wouldn't wait.
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12/27/2014 - J @ y H @ c k wrote: 92 Points
First bottle must have just been defective/flawed. This bottle was outstanding.
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11/9/2014 - gutt22 Likes this wine:
This is absolutely delicious. Red cherry color. Lovely bouquet of red cherry, earthy spice, and forest floor notes. In the mouth, gentle and balanced, with a wonderful elegance that contrasts with building flavors on a persistent finish. This is fantastic. A-/A
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10/4/2014 - johnh1001 wrote: 91 Points
2006 rivers summa. very fresh nose of red fruit and some spice. Super ripe but it works. Love the spice note.
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7/13/2014 - CMN wrote: 90 Points
Popped, poured and followed for about four hrs.
Flavors of cranberry, rhubarb and orange rind with just a hint of floral notes. A bit bigger than medium-bodied, but still well proportioned with med+ acidity and fully resolved tannins. No oakiness or alcohol noted. This is drinking well and should hold for at least 3 more years, but I don't see room for improvement.
While I enjoyed this wine, I can't help thinking it was a bit of a letdown. I thought that I had grabbed a 2008 Sonoma coast bottling and frankly, it tasted like one. No real complexity on display, but perhaps offering a but more depth than the "base" offering. Throws off a lot of sediment, ironically, much like the 08 Sonoma coast.
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7/3/2014 - pjhr wrote: 92 Points
Similar tasting notes to previous bottle.
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4/26/2014 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Lots of red berry and cherry aromas with floral notes. Similar flavor profile, clearly ripe and slightly sweet with nice baking spice on finish. This wine usually absorbs its new oak seamlessly, but tonight it protrudes a trace on both nose and palate.
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2/14/2014 - willison wrote: 89 Points
Drank side by side with an 06 Occidental, which was better. This was somewhat muted, almost a bit flat. Still, a good bit of red fruit and earthy undertones.
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1/22/2014 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 95 Points
I think this is my first crack at one of these? Purchased on release……slight cloudy black cherry, rose rim color….wonderful nose of sweet stems, cherry/plum/raspberry puree, dark spice, sassafras, raspberry mint tea. The palate is alive and kickin with a good dose of tart citrus, cherry skin acidity….really freshens the somewhat aged wild berry fruits…perfectly ripe, mid weight, and creamy. Very TASTY floral christmas/forest spice….sassafras, sarsaparilla, smoked vines, cherry vanilla cremes…..seems whole cluster, but I think it's not? Some RM 06's have been very tart and angular….this Summa is in perfect balance to me! Super showing here! Glad to have one or two more!
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11/17/2013 - WetRock wrote:
Lots of citrus here especially on the palate. The nose changes a lot with air bringing out some complexities along with a strong shot of blackberry. There is not a ton of structure and the acid is rather tart. I also didn't find the complexity on the palate that was on the nose.Still lively on the second night so I don't see any rush in drinking this. The alcohol shows a wee bit. A good Pinot showing Sonoma characters but not really living up to the pedigree.
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10/5/2013 - vanpe003 wrote: 92 Points
An interesting wine, somewhere between fruit forward styling (e.g. Kosta Browne) and those more restrained (e.g. Rhys). Probably drinking near peak right now. Nice aromatics on the nose and balanced on the palate, with a bit of tangy acidity and a stemminess that offsets the fullness of the fruit. Lush mouthfeel.
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4/27/2013 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 89 Points
decanted before New World Symphony Wallast(Brahms Violin Concerto/ Mahler's 4th Symphony). didn't care for it initially, so i opened an 01 Testarossa Sleepy Hollow which was much better. drank it the next night. Ellen liked it.
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4/23/2013 - JFish Likes this wine:
Quick TN. Popped and poured. Not corked like the bottle opened a few weeks ago, which is a relief. Nose has the RM tell-tale orange rind which I love for its uniqueness. Drinking very well and I don't know if this will improve with more time. Red fruits - rasberryish with some light secondary pinot 5 spice notes. The citrusy acidity is there, but in the background giving it lift. Great pairing with "beer can" chicken with a lemon/garlic salt/ginger rub.
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4/14/2013 - Ki Punwar wrote: 94 Points
Very perfumed nose of crushed raspberries and red fruit. Wonderfully seductive with a long finish. Not at all as tight as when I last tasted it, this is drinking well. Opened up and decanted for an hour.
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4/5/2013 - JFish wrote: flawed
Corked. Bummer
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11/3/2012 - Federsin Likes this wine:
Light ruby in the glass, reserved nose, sweet raspberries on the palate, very smooth and balanced, could possibly age a year or two more and perhaps gain a little more complexity, but a very nice California pinot drinking well now
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11/2/2012 - pjhr wrote: 92 Points
Delicious bright red cherry and spice on the nose and palate with a long balanced finish. Definitely delicious but lacking a bit of complexity until the last glass, which exploded with the terroir of Summa!
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10/28/2012 - dhammer53 wrote: 91 Points
Great nose. tasty. Not as good as the 09 RM Cabernet.
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7/9/2012 - thomaskeil wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 2 hours (really benefited). Light garnet with some violet. Nose of cherries, red berries, earth, baking spice - cola noted 3 years ago not evident now. Clearly more balanced and almost taut as well with the blowzy fruit still present but firmer as it is framed by the natural acidity and the 'soft' tannins noted before are more evident when not competing with fleshy fruit. Not a compelling wine, but worked really well with food (CR king salmon with cherry sauce). No hurry, but this at or near peak.
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5/6/2012 - gregg g wrote:
On this night, the best RM wine I have had to date. This is in a wonderful spot for me. Deep blue silky fruits, lovely backing spice and some underbrush. Just fantastic. 1 more in the cellar. Enjoyed this after an '09 L D'Or. Tasting menu at The Foundry. Food was good at times but a few ehs.
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9/20/2011 - OCgasman wrote:
Opened this a couple days after a 07 RM Occidental. This is more brooding, cloudy, fruit didn't seem as fresh. Hard to compare different vintages, but while this is good, not as good as the Occidental on this day.
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9/16/2011 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
Initially a dark, fuler bodied pinot. It calms down with air and also gains some complexity. There is an enticing minerality on the nose and taste, and a little caramel on the nose. However, there is a powerfully acidic mid-palate which makes me think that this wine should be held for another 1-2 years. I will open my second (last) bottle in 2 years.
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9/4/2011 - sedation (yellowgas) wrote:
This bottle had a bad cork. The wine was off but not completely oxidized. No formal notes.
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8/3/2011 - S. Lorin wrote:
more open but lacks the depth and typicity of other TRB wines
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4/24/2011 - Lessthanzero wrote: 91 Points
Reminds me of a school teacher i had in second grade. She was firm and strict, and had an acidic sense of humour. she did not taste of cranberry, cherries and baking soda though.
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3/1/2011 - J @ y H @ c k wrote: 83 Points
Very disappointing. The color was extremely cloudy and the flavor was a muddy mish-mosh. There were good flavors, cherry and some integrated cola with minerality, but there was too much imprecision. Was this a flawed bottle? Hard to say. It wasn't corked, it wasn't oxidized, I don't think it was cooked, but it's a marginal wine that had enough interesting components to justify an 83 score, but I desperately wanted to put it through some kind of filter to to sort out the good stuff from the bad stuff. I love TRB wines and I've had great bottles of his cabs, grenache and zinfandel. I haven't had a RM pinot in a few years and I do not really remember what they were like when I popped a few on release. Does this note ring a bell with anyone or is it just a freak bottle?
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1/26/2011 - sdatl Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still young and rather "tough," with firm (for a Pinot) tannins and not a lot of fruit; wonderful aromas and an excellent match with food; drink this now with a meal or possibly wait to see if it softens, but there is a risk that this will fade more than "open up"
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1/1/2011 - silton wrote:
A bit closed down on the palate in comparison to my 9/09 note. The acids will carry this forward many years and I think it will progressively show more Oregon-like qualities over time. Whether it pops back open or just fades away is a good question. I think it will resolve into being a nice mid-weight, mid-earth, red-fruited food friendly wine. Now it is almost that, especially with air, but it isn't singing in harmony. 89-90
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11/1/2010 - Moorese wrote: 87 Points
In contrast with the impressive Willow Creek a few days earlier, this wine is simply not ready to drink. I poured it through a Decantus into a decanter, but it showed little signs of opening up until the bitter end of a slow night about 3 hours later. There's ample raw material in terms of fruit which peeked through in the final glass, but the nose remained elusive throughout. The previous reviewer used terms like "hidden," "stacked," and "firm," and I agree completely. A modestly pleasurable experience tonight, but with higher expectations for the future.
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10/17/2010 - tyvoodoo wrote: 92 Points
Really tight upon opening so the wine was decanted. Dark color with a tight nose. After a bit of air this wine showed the dark muscular fruits with a rich mouthfeel. it still seems that there is something hiding behind all of the structure as the wine seems stacked. Maybe in need of some more time to unwind in bottle. Dark fruits with a good silky mouthfeel and nice firm structure. Not the best vintage of summa but still some promise here.
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10/6/2010 - HenryW wrote: 94 Points
This wine evolved quite a bit over the course of several hours. Initially, the aromas and flavors were red fruited and the overall impression was one of lightness and delicacy. Then it turned deeper and darker, taking on more heft and complexity. By the end the palate was a mix of ripe blackberries, earthy chalkiness, grilled meat, and lively acidity. The nose had some smoky notes to go along with the dark fruit. Delicious throughout its evolution in the glass.
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9/11/2010 - toddjerry wrote: 93 Points
Cloudy bright red color. Cherry cola, red fruits, subtle spice, forest floor, good balance. Very burgundian, yet clearly California. A little restrained and will definitely gain complexity with age. Very, very good.
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7/11/2010 - PeterH wrote: 93 Points
Damn tasty juice! All good right now. Pinot towards the 'red fruit' side...
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5/26/2010 - S. Lorin wrote: flawed
muted nose, tasted flat, gray, muddled, and atonal - corked?
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3/23/2010 - KevinP wrote:
Needs more time - revisit in 2011 at earliest
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2/13/2010 - andolini wrote: 94 Points
Really enjoyed this one -- drank over a few hours and definitely improved over time. Sonoma profile with cherry,cola, some pine, spice, tinge of oak. Very balanced and smooth on the palate. Some earthy notes and some complexity/chewiness on the palate without any overbearing heat. Very nice.
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2/10/2010 - Dale B. wrote: 91 Points
Very tight at first but much better on day 2. I'd wait another 2 years before revisiting.
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2/6/2010 - placecarnot wrote: 86 Points
Great aromas, but the palate was so out of balance, it was hard to get past it. Seemed like it was over acidified and the acid up front stuck out. Also some astringency on the palate. Maybe time in the bottle will help this all come together. Too bad since the nose was so good.
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1/24/2010 - MDV wrote: 87 Points
last tasted 18 months ago for a 91pt zinger, now is kinda muddled, reticent fruit, stewed even, and after a 2 hour decant was not ready to strut any stuff.
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1/10/2010 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
Wound up decanting for 2+ hrs before serving, as our dinner party was aborted due to fire evacuation in our apt. building.(Someone left things in their oven, which set on fire when they turned on the self cleaning feature!)
Light balanced pinot with cherry notes. Paired well with our crab cakes in spicy gazpacho. Fruity bouquet, and good finish.
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12/31/2009 - WetRock wrote:
This took a couple hours in the decanter to show its complexities. Before that it was light basic Pinot. Spice and richness show up later as well as the mouth feel becoming more even. Recommend holding a couple more years.
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12/30/2009 - PatLee wrote:
A lovely, delicate Pinot. Nice acidity and good balance on the finish.
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12/12/2009 - thomaskeil wrote: 89 Points
Annual Dinner with Mark and Megan (Our house. Denver, CO): Decanted 4 hours. Violet red. Nose of dark cherry fruit, cola, spice and a little earth. Palate of medium-high intensity sweet red fruit at entry that builds with oak-spice into midpalate; well-balnced by bright acidity. Soft tannins. Low finesse and complexity. Seemed overblown next to the Rhys and the Trapet, but the wonderful fruit and good structure could mean this will develop with time.
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10/17/2009 - Paul Lin wrote: 92 Points
Dinner at Palate. While clearly on the young side, this wine exhibited a beautifully sweet core of black cherries, red plum, fresh blueberries, and violets. Pure and seamless on the palate, this wine has tremendous precision and focus. Reminded me at times of Chambolle Musigny. 92-93 points.
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10/15/2009 - budman wrote: 92 Points
90 points on day 1 - 92 points on day 2!!!!!
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9/27/2009 - silton wrote: 91 Points
Dark cherry and cranberry fruit is complemented by plum skin, bark, minerals, oak, sage, and plenty of acidity (almost searing at first, but receded as the fruit opened up in the decanter). I did not catch any alcohol heat or overzealous extraction. Very nice. Remains excellent on day 2. I like the Tanzer and newsletter notes also.
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7/25/2009 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Probably my second least favorite of the vertical (02-07, behind the 03), the nose seemed shy and also for me reflected oak, which was not my experience on the other wines, and arguably, not for me a trace of oak on the even younger 2007, maybe like the 2003 even some heat. Again, some graphite/metal notes, with palate being better than the bouquet. Sweet plum, strawberry, candied red apple and a bit of brown spice/sugar.........the oak? Lacks the complexity of the 04, 05 and 07.
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6/29/2009 - redderthanred wrote:
Decanted for about 2 hours.
Nose was fantastic, cherries, slight orange blossom, touch of smoke, and raspberries
Palate was nice, good acidity, medium finish...last one in the cellar :(
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6/16/2009 - redderthanred wrote:
Very good Pinot, nice with food, good acidity and balance...good fruit as well.
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6/8/2009 - Rayburn wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful. Will only get better but is nice now.
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4/10/2009 - JOJ wrote: 90 Points
This bottle took a long time to open up. When it did, a lovely nose of pie cherry, spice, nutmeg and vanilla shone through. Palate of cherry with hints of cola, clove, spice and vanilla. Good acidity. This will hold and improve from here.
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2/8/2009 - riccodog13 wrote: 91 Points
Crisp, vibrant pinot that has a core of cranberry and tart cherry. The acidity really carries this wine, that blooms into asian spice, forest floor and warm stones. Very structured, needs to be decanted and should blosom in the cellar. Drink 2010-2016. 91+ pts.
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1/26/2009 - yui wrote: 91 Points
upon opening very acidic, decanted for 5-6 hrs. Nose of cherries and hay. palate of sour cherries, beautiful wine. very acidic, but enjoyable w/food. Had w/ Beef burgundy. 2nd night, not that acidic, and enjoyable on its own.
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1/23/2009 - rjoyer wrote:
Took this to a restaurant where we followed it for about an hour and a half. Very nice. Cranberry and slightly sour red fruits on the palate, with a nice spice component. Nice verve to it, and the fruit continued to build in intensity as we followed it. Quite enjoyable, though I would have liked to have given it some more air to fully open up.
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1/18/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 91 Points
Pinot Smackdown 2009 (Barrington IL, Wally's house): nose: understated nose with black cherries, floral tones, and nice spice tones to compliment it. Very lifting and rather subtle that is enjoyable to smell and just let it come to you
taste: very classy and medim/light feel with black cherries, plums, spice, and floral tones. Very vibrant and subtle on the palate with nice medium acidity to give it some backbone
overall: A very elegant and classy pinot. Nice and vibrant and having a richness in the tones without being overdone. Good acidity to let it age a bit and see where this goes, but a very enjoyable wine at this point in time too
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9/21/2008 - jwsmith wrote: 89 Points
Rated 7 out of 7 th wines at a recent tasting. However, i personally really enjoyed this wine for its balance. It probably needs some time to sort out its future.
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4/14/2008 - bsherwin wrote:
A beautiful wine representing the promise of the true Sonoma Coast; it was poised and elegant and you had the feeling it was exactly the type of wine that the grapes wanted it to be. The nose showed delicate and floral with red cherries, citrus and sassafras. The fruit is sweet and red in the mouth with silky tannins and a cross-current of acidity. There is some earthiness lingering in the background and I would expect that as this develops it will gain some foresty nuances that SC Pinots can provide. More than once it was described as Burgundian, but I think people were referring to the impeccable balance, as this wine is all California. This wine is going to require patience, but with pure fruit, tannic structure and high natural acidity, I expect that such forbearance will be amply rewarded.
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3/25/2008 - Todd French wrote: 93 Points
This is a very elegant pinot noir - the nose has a perfumed hint of oak, but surrounded by cola, baking spice, and white chocolate covered berries of all kinds. Nothing is overwhelming, and even the heat is perfectly proportioned, especially considering the youth of this wine. An immediate blast of sweetness hits your palate as you put the wine in your mouth, but it's not really a sweetness in flavor, more of sensation. Silky bodyfeel (in a couple of years, this will be liquid silk) with a hint of steminess around fresh strawberries, a bit of fresh beef, toasted vanilla, and strong cola. After a couple of hours, the sweet fruit comes out, and strong hints of RRV spice. On the second day, it revealed even more of its great balance, particularly with acidity - in 2-3 years, this wine will really shine, and I"m looking forward to it.
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3/18/2008 - ski695 wrote: 91 Points
As a confessed burgophile I was impressed with this wine. Excellent balance and quite enjoyable. Good finish. Has that Russia nRiver cola thing but this is to be expected. Reminds me a bit of older Williams-Selyem. Glad I bought some and will again.
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