Jaminess is gone as you’d expect, leaving a very deep dark balanced wine. Tannins are integrated, a very smooth drinker. Seems like it will make 20 years without a problem.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A very solidly good wine that was surprisingly built to last. Tannins are still holding 15 years in. Great balance and fruit. It's probably just now entering its prime drinking window, but I expect this to still be good 5+ years from now. Not sure if it will ever develop secondary characteristics like BDX. It has basically been a wine that was good young and still holding just fine. I'll be drinking my bottles regularly at this point because I would be concerned that it will never be anything more than a good wine. Again, very impressive at 15 years old.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasty; clearly made to be delicious. Big dark fruits on the nose (blackberry, currant, plum) alongside vanilla and some spice & herb tones (clove, bit of olive). Mouthfilling & creamy, leaning on those fruit & vanilla flavors up front. Somewhat soft structured but backend has ripe tannin beneath the fruit and just enough acid to hold it together, with a bit of alcohol showing as the herb & spice tone on comes in.
Little movement since my last bottle many years back, surprisingly so. All of these RM Napa bottlings seem to hold, with little evidence of becoming more lean. Perhaps that bit of heat may point to drink in the near or mid term, but still is quite lively & delicious 14 years in.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not a remarkable wine. I’ve enjoyed the lineup of RM Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays for well over a decade but have kept a “hands-off” policy on the cabs until recently. Maybe that’s a mistake.
This is a better than average Cab but not nearly as good as a 2017 we opened recently which, while young, was a real joy to drink. The 2008 seems a bit tired. All the elements are there with tobacco, dried herbs, plum, leather and cedar but they seem to be a bit separate rather than in harmony - as though they evolved at differing paces.
At the 2 hour mark it is slightly improved. Drink em if you got em
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The tannins are a bit more resolved than when I last had this in 2010, but the fruit is a bit sweet for me and there is an annoying note of nail polish remover here. Not sure if this is a representative bottle. While drinkable, I can't say I was thrilled with it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour, followed half a bottle over 2 hours. The nose is a lively, red-fruited, leathery classic cabernet. The palate, regrettably, turns dark, dusty, and slightly jammy. I can tease out some nice flavors but the overall experience is not what I look for in a cabernet, it remains dense and jammy. Do bear in mind that I’m more of a traditionalist, this was the only bottle of RM cabernet that I have ever purchased because I discovered early on that I didn’t like the style. However, I’ve tasted at least 7 of these thanks to my generous friends, this being the oldest. I’m probably a lousy source of information if you like this profile, but if you do, why not go to Outpost, or Shafer, or Rudius, and there’s probably a plethora of producers I don’t know about that are in this style but so much more balanced and better. All I know is that I love the Rivers Marie chardonnays (most of the time) and the pinot noirs (pretty much all the time) and do not anticipate ever buying another Rivers Marie Cabernet. My score is based on the positive qualities of the nose and the negative qualities of the palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour....brownish purple starting to show age. Muted nose....graphite, earth, darker berries, currants. with Steak/New Potatoes; (90 minute decant) cinnamon, chocolate, black cherry, dark raspberry, balsamic. Really nice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bottle variation over the three bottles we have consumed since April. This one kept us wanting more. Very fruit forward with just a hint of tannin that gave nice balance. Drink and enjoy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened and aired for an hour or more.Not as fruity as we wanted it to be for our lean Hamburgers, but was still smooth,light to no tannins, some dark fruit like blueberries and we'll integrated. No reason to wait getting this holiday season, drink now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Purple in color. 14.5% ABV. Stunning nose of blue and black fruits, licorice, leather and chocolate. Full bodied and concentrated. Plush and silky. Perfect balance. Blueberries, currants, cassis liqueur and espresso on the palate. The finish is long and supple with silky tannins. With fruit from Corona and Panek Vineyards the pedigree here is undeniable. Exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon that has aged brilliantly. Best over the next 2-4 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quarantine Review #9: On April 4, 2020, Will Segui, of Rivers Marie, said during a virtual tasting that the 2008 Napa Cab is one of his most memorable RM Cabs. The grapes that make up this wine are from Panek Vineyard and Corona Vineyard (approx. 50% from each). After hearing Will's praise and learning that this bottling was 50% from the Corona Vineyard, I figured this was a bottle I had to have in my collection, with the intent of minimal to no cellaring, and to be consumed while still under Shelter in Place due to the Coronavirus!
I found 1 bottle on Wine Searcher on April 4 after the virtual tasting at a reasonable price and had to buy it!
The wine was paired with a 40 day dry aged NY Strip but it does not need to be paired with food. I popped the cork and decanted for 1 hour. After 1 hour of air in a decanter, I poured it back into the bottle. The cork was in perfect shape and showed no age at all. The wine stain on the cork looked like a bottle from the 2018 vintage and not the 2008 vintage.
The color of the wine was a dark purple. The nose was starting to fade. The bouquet was more earth tones, with minimal fruit presence. However, there were some primary flavors still present. The fruit was predominantly dark/black (i.e. blackberries) but there was some red fruit present. There was a hint of sweetness from the alcohol, which was also present on the nose. There were some secondary flavors of earth and mineral. I did not detect any tertiary flavors.
The wine is full bodied and well balanced. The tannins have softened and smoothed out nicely. There was still good, medium, acid present.
I agree with many recent reviews. The wine appears to be at its peak and it is in a good place to pop the cork. The wine may stay at its peak for several more years but I don't see it significantly improving.
My rating is a 92-93.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Paired with some nice Hanger Steak. Still pretty youthful given its age. Nice red and dark berry fruit, oak is there but not obtrusive, but could stand to develop some secondary flavors to give it a bit more complexity and interest.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Was a little concerned with first taste; seemed stewy and tired. This did blow off and was OK, not great. Blackberry, mocha, hints of cassis. Tannins are gone at this point and make it less interesting than in the past. Drink up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A friend brought this bottle and it was absolutely terrific. It didn’t help my team win the super bowl but was an exceptional Cabernet that was at peak. Great flavors of blueberry, spice box, and creme de cassis. A terrific bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow. There are a LOT of users of this wine still in the database. And for my own context, I last tasted this way back in 2010 so it has been some time. Of note, this bottle was opened last night for a dinner we did, and the remainder of it sat out on the counter in the open bottle overnight. Retasting today at room temp of 68f, no food. I do recall last night that this wine was big, with some heft, some of that tell-tale higher ABV in the aromatic. I don't get that signature today but instead kind of a dill note, with just a wafting of the dark fruit. With this much air, the wine has really softened and evened out. Some dark fruit, iron, maybe some bittersweet chocolate and really overall tasting quite resolved. There is plenty of stuffing here, and enough acidity to also reinforce the wine. Overall, I don't see any further upside here and would think that for the pleasure this wine gives, I'd suggest opening an enjoying now. There are a lot of folks with bottles of this in their cellars, and it might be a good time to open one of these and see if you agree with me. In a good place, in a modern style that is not overdone.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took a while to blow off some funk, but once it did, it was a big, rich satisfying wine for several hours. A little tannin left, but mainly fruit forward. This is fairly one dimensional, but very good nonetheless.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had this last night for Thanksgiving dinner. Nice but did not blow me away. A little funk on opening, blew off over the next hour but did not completely go away. Fruit still going strong, tannins pretty much gone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is better than the bottle I opened in 2015. Very expressive on the nose. On the palate, rich if perhaps slightly one dimensional. Not a ton of structure or nuance. However the straight line palate is very pleasant. Pleasant enough for me to score this at "92". While there's no rush, the lack of structure suggests to me that this one might be better consumed sooner than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and poured. It showed well from the get-go Explosive nose, classic CA cab flavors, good, if slighly drying finish. For my tastes, this 2008 has consistently out-performed the vintages just before or after.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Napa Cabs by Luis - Part II (Jason's House): 2 hour decant, and consumed a pour after drinking 2007 Rivers Marie cab. This was slightly darker and brooding, with more black fruit. It still had a lot of the characteristics of TRB and modern Napa.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Don't drink a lot of cabs in our house so take that in mind as you read this.
PnP. Fairly full throttled with ripe black raspberry / blackberry almost bordering on being extracted. There is a fair amount of menthol mid palate with cocoa on the finish. Tannins are somewhat firm. Started to strut its stuff about 90 minutes after being opened. Decant recommeded.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Inky purple color. Still showing a young palate of up-front juicy dark berry, blackberry, black licorice, and oak. Appropriately tannic and structured, with a medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark purplish ruby core with softer edges. Layered nose with dark cocoa, cinnamon cedar, black currants, cassis and a touch of damp leaves and mushrooms underneath. Medium plus tannins (7/10) and textured full body. Complex palate with layers of black currants, graphite, dusty black cherries, dark spices and forest floor. Long finish. Drink till 2021.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very dark, almost Syrah-like color. Intense blackberry and currant flavors. Definitely a Napa cab but not too over-the-top fruit and alcohol. This is in its prime and one to enjoy over the next couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ten years old, and still surprisingly young and fresh, with tannins and grip out of the bottle. A few hours of air really helped, turning it into a dark, lush, interesting wine. Impressive for the multi-vineyard bottling.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still youthful at age 9, both visually and in the mouth. Rich dark fruits, savory underbrush, and Kenyan coffee are nicely interwoven on the palate and lead into a zippy peppercorn-inflected finish. There's a touch of alcoholic warmth on the finish, but it's actually quite pleasant. Very good now, but there are plenty of years left in this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Seemed very fruit forward and jammy to me as well... Seems to be a real split in reviews, where some taste elegance and balance and others can't get past the jaminess...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is just in a really good spot. I have one more and don't expect to hold it more than a few more months, as I can't imagine it'll get better than where it's at right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A terrific 2008 that is evolving nicely. The rich ripe cassis and blackberry fruit is nicely lifted by a still firm but softening tannic structure. A big, full bodied style, but by no means a fruit bomb in the world of Cali Cabs. I can't think of another peer in its QPR- as good or better than some 3x the ~$55 price.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank new years eve with prime rib. In a really great place right now. Tobacco, blueberry, and licorice. Nice weight, balanced, and long. No need to wait, I think, but will probably hold here for 5+ years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Deep ruby/garnet. Incredible nose, so complex and nuanced...red fruits, blue fruits, fresh mint, fresh oregano, forest floor/autumnal vegetation, violet, red bean paste, anise, etc. So much going on. Medium-plus body. A true "wow" palate, this pretty much epitomizes deliciousness...everything you want from Napa Cabernet. Endless close. While the tannins are still suggesting of a very optimistic future, this might be best to drink now and over the next 3-5 years while the fireworks are still exploding.
Quick comment: This might be the best Cabernet TRB has made. I say this as someone who has tasted many other vintages and cuvées of R-M, not to mention Schrader.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Voluptous wine after an 2 hours of air. Firm tannins, Somewhat fruit forward after the first glass. Very approachable now, I definitely am quite pleased with this one, actually 2008 cabernets as a whole. Drinking well, 93+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is drinking so great despite tasting so young even with an hour decant. Drinks like a newly released wine rather than an 8 year old cab. A serious cab with a long life ahead of it. Loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 90 minutes, consumed over the next 2+ hours. Pure, prototypical California Cabernet. Cassis, blackberry, cocoa, and sandal wood. Fairly ripe pure fruit, tannins are pleasant but a bit chewy but definitely a crowd pleaser. I'll wait 2 or 3 more years before coming back.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
14.5% alcohol. Crimson color. Pretty nose of black currant and cassis, with a nice earthy, tobacco-tinged note. In the mouth, beautiful balance, with bold fruit and good, refined back end structure. Good acidity helps focus the earthy notes. This is terrific. A-
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Now opened the rest of the bottle; like last time, this is very primary with blackcurrant fruit and fares better with a day long decant. Won't reach the level of the 06 for me in terms of earthy elements in addition to the fruit, I suspect, but we shall see with remaining bottles in the cellar. Shows a tad hot at times. The Coravin preserved this bottle well for a six-month span.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Fruity nose with some chocolate. Big, fruity wine on the palate: dark fruits, cassis, a bit of vanilla/oak, and some underlying graphite and maybe olive notes. Tannins are integrated and acid is noticeable. Seems well-made and well-balanced, but not very interesting and too big for most dishes.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is really hitting a stride, with deep black current, blueberry, and tobacco notes. The grainy texture and astringency that it displayed in youth have settled well. Great to try now, but might be even better in a few more years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I had this along side of a 2008 Venge Silencieux. The RM clearly shows the presence of oak compared to the Venge. It is a jammier style that shows the fruit in a very forward manner. There are vanilla notes that make it more of a stand alone drinker than a pair for food.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and drank over several hours. Dark maroon in color. Somewhat muted nose, even after decanting, but notes of tart, chocolate-covered red fruits. Features very nicely on the palate: tart but dark red fruits, some bitter chocolate, medium tannins that linger but fade pleasantly. A big cab, but well made and well-balanced.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opaque, plum color, moderate legs. Intense, complex and outstanding nose, woody, fruity, chocolate. Full body, silky, soft tannins, very flavorful, long palate. Fruity but not sweet, high acidity, balanced. Plums, vanilla, cedary, chocolate, minty. Delicious, a big wine, quite ready for drinking, but with this level of acidity and fruit, I would expect it to improve still for another year, at least.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great, if partially in despite of the oak flavors that also add deliciousness. Dark fruit, blue fruit, olive-like tones, vanilla hints. Creamy layer to the finish.
Best after a few hours of air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I thought this was good-very fruit driven but did not get the jammy profile some have mentioned. Was not too complex and not sure in his crowded price range would be my favorite.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very primary, over-ripe, dark berry fruit with spice and a touch of earth. Fruit-forward and sweet on the palate with a medium to full body, and a sappy, jammy texture. Way too much primary fruit, not nearly enough structure and very simple and straightforward. My wife liked it, but to me it tasted like a cheap California zinfandel fruit bomb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Taste from Coravin; fruit still very primary. After a 24 hour decant the fruit is less dominant and reveals some of the slightly earthy quality that made me such a fan of the '06. Hold or give this lots of air to get the best this wine has to offer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
4th of July Weekend Wines - Lots of 'em; 7/3/2014-7/7/2014 (Northeast Ohio): This bottle was an unsolicited replacement bottle for a corked bottle. RM has some of the best customer service. Pop and pour, this developed well over the hour or two it was open. The nose has cassis, some oak, and some spice. Juicy texture. There is a good amount of fruit, but everything is in balance. Tight layering as it unwinds in the glass. Everyone loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cedar box and menthol combine with black fruits to make an intriguing nose consistent with the palate. The mouth feel is pleasing with soft yet ample tannins and plenty of acidity in balance with the delicious spiced fruits. A really nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Boo. Last bottle. Great nose of cassis, beef and dark berries. Delicious with short ribs with dark fruit notes, great weight and some tannins still rearing up at the end. Very satisfying wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sadly, this was an off bottle and my last one. On opening, there was a fair amount of VA. I have not seen this posted on any notes, so I suspect this was an off bottle for some reason. Some cassis, some cherries, but plenty of nail polish remover. It didn't blow off with air, but I did enjoy two glasses as it was noticeable on the nose but the palate was nice. I recorked (with a neutral cork) and left it on my counter until today. The VA got much worse and it is undrinkable. We spilled the rest down the drain. Too bad a the wine has the stuffing. Not sure why this would manifest in a single bottle. No question about it though. To be clear, I enjoyed my prior bottles with no sign of issues. It happens.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ok, let's be precisely geeky. Uncorked using new Durand, gift from wife. Decanted for 5 hours in average size flat bottom decanter with long neck that was left in wine cellar at 58 degrees during the decant. Removed from cellar about 30 minutes before dirnking to slightly warm up. Drunk from Zalto Cabernet glasses with standing rib roast and green beans with mushrooms and shallots.
This is an outstanding wine. Excellent balance and very smooth. Still very young and primary. Red fruit and some pepper spice. Is this Howell Mountain fruit? The winery is up there but I do not know the source of the fruit. It has a tiny bit of pepper spice that is indicative of that mountain, so perhaps it is. There are some oak notes even after the long decant, but it is still an infant so that is not a surprise. Extremely smooth mouthy feel and no rough tanins. This is different from the early RM cabs, like 2003 and 2004, which were real beasts. TRB once e-mailed me on E-bob in response to a post about when I should decant the 2003 by saying something like "right now, you can't give that wine too much air." The 2008 is much smoother and approachable. Quite delicious. My son and I fought (politely) over the last ounce. The 14.5% alcohol was not noticeable, but maybe that was partly because I only got a quarter of the bottle between my wife and two sons.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Certainly better than when I last had this (2 years ago). Shows a lot of oak but also more finesse and integration. Blackberry and licorice with a leathery texture. Would still hold a bit longer; maybe three more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Napa.. What more to say. Big in your face fruit with noticeable oak. In the mouth silky smooth fruit oak and tannins all dance nicely together. Starting to open up nicely and I'm sure it will get better with a little more age.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just a killer cab that Joan and I loved. I would love to taste all those $100 cabs blind against this wine. My guess is that this wine would wine would stand up to the majority to most of them.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lots of Alcohol on day 1 that was gone on day 2 leaving a terrific wine. Dark black fruits with soft tannins and a wonderful nose on day 2 made this really enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
fruit is receding a bit to reveal quite a delicious bottle of cali cab. plenty of earth, a touch of herb, some cassis all wrapped up in a feminine package. very pretty and very delightful on this evening. throwing quite a bit of sediment, so either filter or stand this up for a few days prior to serving. a stellar qpr.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP, served non-blind. Surprisingly approachable now, but clearly would have benefited from an hour or two in decanter as the flavors and aromas were fairly simple through 90 minutes. Big, and oaky, with more of a cocktail wine persona than food wine. Bored after the first glass. 14,5% abv
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice wine. Deep, lush, balanced, not at all cloying or heavy. Polished, but not unattractively. Throwing a lot of sediment. Really enjoyable. Needs time in decanter to open up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank over three days. Initial impression was of dark fruit with an intense amount of oak present. Biiiig wine. Day two much better as oak seemed less overwhelming and wine settled down a bit. Day 3 was best of all, as wine showed some nuance and a bit more balance. Would say hold these for a while so its more integrated or decant for a long time. Good future ahead for this, just a bit disjointed to me right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A beautiful cab that is drinking great now but has the tannin and hopefully the fruit to allow this wine to continue to drink well for at least five more years. Loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Demonstrable improvement over the prior bottle, as this was ready to rock right out of the gate. Nicely balanced between power and finesse; beautiful black fruits meshed with a floral bouquet and an incredible finish. In a word, complete. Decanted and consumed over about 2 hours. Kept improving with more air and as it warmed up from cellar temp, but again, great immediately.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took quite a while to open up, even after 1 hr decanting...at first very reserved and sorta flat...and then, about 1/2 way thru the meal, it blooms like a rose garden. Lush dark fruit (blackberry) predominates, with suave tannins and lingering finish. Well done...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blind Tasting of 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Thomas Rivers Brown: The nose, which opens with ripe red cherries and toasted oak, is surprisingly red and smoky. Beyond the cherries and smoke, one can find more red fruits, blackberry, some purple Powerade, cedar, and a hint of bittersweet chocolate and espresso. The tannins are fairly aggressive but very well structured. The weight is lighter than I'd expect and a hint of alcohol emerges at the finish. I'd love to revisit this in a few years to see if it gains concentration and integrates better in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Right in the sweet spot for me. Big nose of cranberries, a hint of citrus and some dark chocolate. I has put on weight on the palate and lost some of the tightness to reveal some more chocolate than before and cleaner, mellowed fruit. Still a refreshing streak in it that I love. Great wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
90 minute decant. Nose is very present- cotton candy, waxy, touch of tropics, cassis. Big boned, but voluptuous... Approachable now, sweet blueberry, and cherry wrap a dense core. The tannins are a little grainy, and theres a creamy, but clipped finish. overall it's a nice package, classic trb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took about 6 hours to come around but when it did...wow. Fairly subtle red fruits, cedar, baking chocolate. A nice subtle richness once this opens up. I'll wait another 2+ years for my next one. If drinking now, give it a long decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
14.5% ABV. Opaque dark garnet in the glass. classy/classic Cali Cabernet nose of ripe currants and cedar, with some background complexity - mint?. Medium-full bodied with plush red fruit and sweet oak. Some fine grained tannins, but this is showing well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had my first of these the other day....ripe sweet fruit. Not candied, but just short of the border. If you are not a new world lover, you need to be in the mood to drink this, which I was. The tannins are receding a bit, but i think this could be even nicer with more time. Enjoyed this, but probably won't touch another of my 4 for about another year or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
deep ruby red. aromatics are decidedly dark - coffee, warm soil, cedar, eucalyptus, and bittersweet chocolate envelope the fruit which is more "red" than before. the palate shows similar notes with great concentration and balance. there is fruit, spice, and cocoa with softening tannins and juicy acids that keep you coming back for more. a couple more stashed far out of reach. will be curious to see this in 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is really coming along, with the oak now receding a bit to reveal the pretty fruit underneath. Tasted side by side with 2008 Larkmead, the was a bit denser and richer, with espresso notes and velvety tannins. The medium-dark fruits are starting to show a perfumed quality. Still needs time, but has some good stuffing to promise further evolution. I wasn't entirely sure how much complexity this would gain when tasted at release, but so far this is panning out well. Lovely and tasty. 93 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blind. Cranberries and chocolate on the luscious nose. The palate has nice red berries with a great hint of orange peel that brings it freshness. A very clean, inviting finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 2.5 hours. Nose of sweet black fruit, cassis, pencil shavings and mocha. Very nice soft mouth-filling entry on the palate with big sweet fruit in balance with oak, acidity and heat. Enjoyable creamy fruit, mocha and toast finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for about 45 minutes before drinking over the course of 2-3 hours. This just had some sweet and jammy profile that wasn't really my style. I don't know if it was in a strange phase becuase this wasn't like the bottle I had last year. It's pretty hot on the palate too. Based on the fact I liked the last bottle, I'm hoping this gets back to form in the coming years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Almost exactly a year from the previous opening and for the same reason. It is a really fabulous wine. I don't know if you can call a $55 wines having great QPR, but most people would think this wine is at least a $100+ bottle. Could get better with age. I took my whole allocation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This bottle seemed to be lacking in acidity as previous examples. Still a wonderful nose of dark blue fruit and cassis. Good balance and overall roundness, but not terribly complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Steaks and wines at Dan's house (Bellevue, Washington): Tasted single blind. 4 hours of air prior. My last tasting note still holds: "Sweet cassis, herbs, boysenberry, chocolate, cedar on the nose. Blackberry, cassis, cedar, herbs,and vanilla on the palate." Rich in texture, with layers of flavors and a very nice finish. Seemed a lot more expensive than it was. My favorite of the tasting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Initial pop and pour showed way too much tannin for my taste. After an hour, though, notes of chocolate, licorice are very noticeable with a hint of raspberry. Smooths out even more on day 2 and was very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for three hours. This is a big boy. Loads of sweet fruit and vanilla oak, with lots of length and power. A very hedonistic bottling at this point, although --notably-- there's no alcohol showing through and everything seems to be in balance. This is very enjoyable now, but a few years to let the oak integrate and a few secondary flavors emerge will do wonders, so hold off if you can. 90-93.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank side by side with 05 Schroeder T6 and 08 Double Diamondin homage to Thomas Rivers Brown. Same tasting notes as previous. Dark fruit, blueberry with intense richness and firm tannins. Plenty of time remaining with this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured and followed for several days. Comes across fairly primary but outstanding on day 1 but balances out over time. Sweet cassis, herbs, boysenberry, chocolate, cedar on the nose. Blackberry, cassis, cedar, herbs,and vanilla on the palate. Very fruit forward and maybe a bit sweet at first, but gains balance over time. Needs a lot of time. 90-92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Medium-plus bright purple/ruby hue. Immediately upon removing the cork this wine showed a solid perfume of fruits...think blackberry, currant, red bean paste, herbs, menthol, cedar, and spice from oak. With air, the herbaceous element expands. Medium-plus body. On the palate, the fruit is definitely youthful and pronounced with tiers of black fruits and red fruits complimented by cedar, herbs and oak notes of vanilla spice with subtle toast. Interestingly, a faint impression of minerals is noticeable and adds depth. Lush and seamless all around, with smooth tannins on the moderate-plus finish. This is a wonderful wine that should only get better with more age. If opening now, a short decant would help as this continually improved over the course of 3 hours. Great juice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking well with a long decant. Well proportioned but semi standard Napa Cab at a good QPR for the genre. Not profound but delicious and substantial.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
NO rating. WAY too early. Certainly not ready for pop and pout. Hard to describe this wine as anything other than shut tight. I do expect that either a 3-5 hour decant or 2-3 more years will yield something very special. Wonderful silky mouthfeel and a bit of black fruit and vanilla on the nose and the palate. I'll check back in tomorrow on this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
So good now after a two hour decant and will only get better in a couple of years. A serious wine that I love. A very dark cab that is still very primary. Love it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very very young. Almost wished I didn't open bottle as there was nothing special at this point in time. O well. We'll see how this one develops in the next 5 years...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Outstanding. Huge, meaty nose. Tons of secondary characteristics on the palate: chocolate, cassis, hazelnut, vanilla -- too many to name. Blackberries and blueberries, but restrained and complementary of the secondary characteristics. A huge wine, but with some elegance as well. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consumed blind at an American tasting given for the Oxford University Tasting Society. Served alongside a 1999 Swanson "Alexis," this wine was closed and dense and exacerbated by the comparison. Dark purple in color (almost shiraz-like), the nose smelled of canned vegetables and sometime like an iron oar factory. In the mouth, this wine was much better, with blackberry, cassis, leather and earth notes. Structure was balanced and the wine felt well-made, not angular at all despite its youth. It has a life, certainly, but that life is not now. Cellar for 5 years, at a minimum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow - Love this cab and it's so young - can't wait to taste as it ages and smooths out a little. Full body - big fruit - blackberry, chocolate, and oak. Great finish!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blind Cabs (32 East Delray Beach): Tasted Blind (Black Bag 1): Bright red cherry, some vanilla but primarily red fruit. Most int he group guessed Washington State. This was my wine and I orgininally thought Washington to but after I identified the sweet but somewhat tart finish, I nailed the correct bottle. Originally I thought 2005 to 2008, but there was a youthful edginess that finished with some cocoa that changed my mind.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very tasty - notes consistent with last time - lots of red-purple fruit and vanilla oak sweetness at first. Burnt mocha flavors on the finish reveal this to be not as effortlessly good as the 2006 in my opinion. On nights 2 and 3, wine left in the glass for a full 24 hours was better than on the night poured, less dominated by the oak and sweetness, so give this as much air as you can and don't judge on first impression after opening. There is juicy acid to the fruit here to portend that this wine will get better. Scored this a very enjoyable 91, and then found that matches my last note. Doesn't yet show the touch of earthiness that made the 06 so exceptional for me, but we will see if that comes through in time?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow...MUCH better than the bottle I had back in April...no noticeable heat or overpowering alcohol this time..just a rich lush Napa Cab with great big dark fruit and subtle oak with an extremely long finsh...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour and followed over 5 to 6 hours. Did not serve with food (exlcuding some pretzels and chips). Dark, dense and thick, this wine shows a concentration of ripe fruit. A bit sweet from the ripe red and black fruits. Good but not outstanding, this time around.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 2 hours and drank over 4. Fantastic nose, nice medium+ mouthfeel, dark lively fruit with spice, cedar, menthol. Falls short on the finish with enough oak poking through to become distractive. Clearly young and in need of 2 to 3 more years in bottle. Nice potential. Hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well my first R-M and it was doggone nice. Outshined tonight by a Brunello, but it has five years on the cab. Rich and deep fruit with eucalyptus and vanilla. 92-94.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Been dying to try one of these, so it was decanted through the Vinturi, then through another aerating funnel for sediment (yes, there was a bit) and in the decanter in the cellar for a 6 hour decant prior to tonights offline at Hamilton Grill Room in Lambertville. Still one seat available if interested. Formal notes to come!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
wow. the difference a few months makes... popped, poured off a glass, rest into the decanter. the heat has resolved and this is beautiful from the first sip. on the nose: blackberry, currant, cedar, dusty cocoa, a touch of menthol. on the palate: rich, dark fruits bolstered by a hint of chocolate and vanilla - not overpowering, though. great persistence with a lingering note of sweet tannin, cocoa and pipe tobacco. this is fantastic now, but i've stashed a couple bottles beyond reach to see how it evolves. glad i went deep on the 2009s.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I think what I like about this wine is how approachable it is very young. I don't drink much cab, but like the 2007, this wine is just great right off the bat. I love the hedonistic qualities of this wine, while it's not over the top. The nose is killer. I don't know about aging, but I can't see why I'd ever want to. If you want balance, you might want to wait a few years. The structure is there, but right now it's all about the fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decided to try since the allocation of the 2009's comes out next week and I haven't tried one. Aroma is surprisingly strong - without any aeration it was like sticking your nose in the wine version of a candle. I mean this in a good way as the fruit just jumps out of the glass. As a result, I was a little worried that this would be over the top but I was really pleasantly surprised. A really well put together wine. Black currants and some cherry are present as well as maybe a hint of coffee and cedar. I think some age will make tis wine show even better. Drinks like it should cost more. I think I'll take my allocation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Deep purple/crimson hue. Pronounced aromas of red and black fruits, ripe currant, anise, and vanilla bean along with intriguing aromas of herbs...certainly mint with perhaps even a hint of fresh basil. Medium-plus body. On the palate, the fruit shows pure and focused with a quiet intensity in how the flavors are presented at this stage; flavors including ripe blackberry, black cherry, black currant, and plum plus additional notes of dark cocoa, mint leaves, fresh cedar shavings, and spice from toasted oak. The tannins are round and smooth on the plus close. A hallmark of this wine and in previous vintages is the overall balance in that there is truly a sense of harmony and balance as no one element seems too overbearing, out of place, or lacking - which is all the more impressive for a big, Napa Cab! Additionally, this is already developing more nuance with herbaceous notes becoming more pronounced than on release. Just an excellent wine with tremendous upside, should only get better in the next 3-5+ years and drink nicely for many more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great nose of chocolate, dark fruit and coffee. Had a fabulous, complicated mix of dark fruits, cocoa, coffee and oak that was all well integrated and not over the top. Very, very well done
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dinner in Seattle (Bin on the Lake - Kirkland, WA): Plush wine with ripe flavors of cherry, cassis, charcoal and cedar. Was drank alongside a 2004 QC, and this didn't have that wines elegance, but I'm guessing that has more to do with age than quality. The balance on the finish was a bit off for me with the heat coming through...but again, more a sign of its age than poor wine making. Will be a great bottle in a couple years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
WLTV Offline - WA/OR tasting (Bin on the Lake, Kirkland, WA): The nose of this wine had aromas of dark cherries, anise and a very spicy sandalwood note. The palate had flavors of dark cherries, licorice and spices. Really big and smooth mouthfeel and a long finish that somehow seems to gain in intensity. A real Wow wine for me, and once again my WOTN.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pie-plate decanted through an aerating funnel (and did a taste through a Vinturi as well). Definitely opened too young, but the wine evolved and blossomed after about 2 hours of air. Initially, some powerful acetone that quickly blew off (thank God) gave way to strong notes of vanilla, raspberries, currants, and a hint of butter. Luscious on the palate, the wine was inky without being jammy. Reminded me of an '07 Two Hands Charlie's Patch Cab. I'd say lay down for at least another year, if not 3, even with a vigorous decant. Psyched to try it again in 2014.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Needs time, disjointed, simple, angular. Lots of oak, lots of fruit, don't know that this is built for the long haul...more the medium haul. Check back in a couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
great cab nose of currants and darj berries with a little chocolate. the palate is a little tight but there are flashes of cassis raspberries currabts abd a little oak. the mid palate needs to release and every time ive meant to give it some air but it never lasts...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well made with red and dark fruit. Also, as another taster noted, a bit of sandalwood. Approachable now, but the tannins come through on the finish suggesting this will age nicely for several years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
OK...I must be missing something here...I was looking forward to drinking this since it arrived in November 2010. Decanted for 3 hours. First impression was HOT HOT HOT....so much overpowering alc. 3 hours later not much had changed. Had many of the typical Cab characteristics - dark fruit, oak, coffee.....but this was NOT the $50 wine I was expecting based on the rave cellartracker reviews....Would take the Provenance Rutherford for 1/2 the price.
Nose was closed compared to when we tasted at the winery in October. Palate had lots of blueberries with a bit of espresso on the finish. should improve with another year or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The nose of this wine has aromas of blackberries, cherries, anise and a sandalwood note. I wish that I knew which type of barrels give wines that sandalwood-like note. Darnajou maybe? I'm going to have to figure it out as I have noticed it in several of Mike Smith's wines, but this was the first TRB wine that I noticed it in. The palate had very rich and smooth dark cherry and black fruit flavors with a black licorice note. This had a huge mouthfeel and a long finish. I loved this wine. My WOTN.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Is this too good? Or too accessible? Opened this to get some direction for where it is headed, but it is so soft you wonder if it already arrived? Creme the cassis, red/black currant and loads of vanilla on the nose. Good round mouth feel with smooth corduroy bordering on silky tannins. This is 92 to 93 for me, but I wonder about where it is headed and if it's got the stuff for ageing. There is no question it is good right now though.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking great. Lots of big red and black fruit, vanilla, etc. Drinking along side of a 1994 Caymus Cab, which tasted pretty good until we opened the Rivers Marie Cab. The Caumus then seemed too oaky and herbaceous. Gotta get me some more of this wine. Lots more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cracked while we were sorting through the cellar. Powerful, full-bodied wine with ripe cassis, plum and blackberry fruit. Chocolatey / mocha oak rounds out the finish. Outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Interestingly, this bottle was more closed than the previous two. Still chocolate, dark berries and cassis but everything seems to be dialed down. The palate is also muted a bit but the good thing is the mid palate is now in the same area as the rest of the mouthfull. Time to let these sit for a while.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Coffee, chocolate and dark broodnig fruits on the nose. The palate is thick and creamy with black and blue berries wrapped ni a core of chocolate, tannins and oak. This bottle has a split second of a hollow mid palate but otherwise it was great. Similar fruit profile to Maybach but a little less of everything.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice QPR. Wine is not a fruit bomb, its a bit more restrained. Opened with a youthful appearance of red fruit that rolled around in your mouth vs. punching you out like some of the fruit bombs (which i truly enjoy). I will pair this with rack of lamb next time. I think it's a very good wine for the price point and demonstrates value. The wine is young, but will improve over the next 5 to 7 years and gain complexity. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED A++
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
this one seemed a bit on the ripe side, which is much different than the few other times i've tasted this. not quite the abomination the '07 lewelling wight was in the glass next to it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank with strip steaks in green pepercorn sauce. Decanted and drank over a few hours. Aroma of plum and some coffee. Taste is very much plum and dark fruits. A bit hot at the end with some alcohol. Look forward to drinking my other three bottles years down the road.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
deep crimson purple. a little hot on the nose but nice notes of sweet dark fruits, a bit of menthol/mint, and a pleasant amount of vanilla. expect the heat to resolve with time. on the palate, balanced with nice acidity and smooth tannins. look forward to seeing this in another year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
huge bang for the buck and still a long way to go - considerable chocolate, mocha and dark fruit, concentrated and low acidity; drank too fast; so young, so good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drak rich black fruit. Coffee, cocoa and black cherry oozing in the glass. Much more forward after a 30 minute decant. Really enjoyed this wine. More so than the last bottle. Instant gratification.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted two hours. Deep purple color. Nose shows black currant, plums and some mocha. Full bodied and concentrated. Dark fruits- mainly black cherry dusted with cocoa. No apparent acidity, and big tannins frame the long, long finish. Cassis and tobacco linger around your mouth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not really a food wine. Its big, fruit forward, with lots of toasted oak. I recommend at least an hour decant...maybe 2...and its really singing if you are looking for an absolutely delicious hedonistic Cab. The finish goes on and on. Firm tannins. Loved it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I had a much better experience this time around than with the first bottle I tried back in November. The wine was still chock full of dark currants, caramel chews and spice, though I also noted some eucalyptus. The palate was silky smooth. Seems to be evolving in a good direction. Even though this was undeniably a big, young Napa cab, it showed more harmony than before. While there are pleasures to be had now, it will be interesting to see how this one continues to evolve over time. 91-92 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I have a case, so i poped one open. I knew what I was in for based on the same thing I did last year with the 2007. These are really nice cabs that are going to be great with about 4-5 more years sideways. The tannins are to much right now for me to fully enjoy, but not to big to tell what this is like. These are an excellant follow up to the 2007 which I think I prefer at this point, but only by a little. I'm looking forward to 2015 and beyond when these should be perfct. Enjoy!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really, really big and dense. Not over the top but almost. So much more chunky than the 2007. Should be great but is going to need time. Would try again in 5 years. 92 points but with alot of upside.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a fantastic eponymous effort from the winemaker of Schrader. Huge fruit...blueberries and cinnamon with firm tannins. Rivals the big name, big priced cabernets. If you like massive wines, you can drink it now or for the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark purple color. Initially the nose was a bit muted, but with air, the nose explodes into blackberry, sandlewood, and musk while notes of green tobacco emerged to add complexity. The palate is hedonistic and plush with ripe, dark fruit and a tremendously enjoyable spicy edge. Structurally, the tannins are so well managed that the wine has a spherical roundness to it, even though there is wonderful mid-palate depth. The finish is long and packed with fruit. Overall, this is a wine to savor for its wonderful fruit and spice, but it has enough structure to evlove effortlessly for 10 -15 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Felt like drinking something really tasty at the risk of popping way to early. P&P and followed over 3 hours and overnight. It's deep, it's dark.... it was still a little tight and tannic though. I think it's got a great life ahead of it in about 4 years. It reminds me a bit of the 04 vintage. It has all the stuffing to really please in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is very primary at this point. It shows considerable sweetness to the fruit and plenty of oak - resulting in coffee flavors and vanilla overtones. I do see a common thread that runs through this wine and the 06 and 07 versions, and I am hopeful that this will evolve as it sheds its baby fat and show the balance and subtle Bordeaux-like qualities that I admired in the 2006. It strikes me as sweeter but less dark-fruited and spicy than the 07 was. It's simply too early to know where this will go; for now, 91+, with considerable room for improvement.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1-1/2 hr decant. Expressive nose of blackberry, plum and vanilla. Medium plus body of black raspberry, cherry, caramel, and chocolate. Plus finish with moderate tannins
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Biggish cab with nothing jutting out right now. Thick more so than heavy, with full palate coverage and a nicely tapered finish. Neither blocky nor sublime. Rich but not jammy. 90+?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is in a much different place than the past two times I've had this. I think it is shutting down. I would not touch another one for some time. Right out of the bottle it had that classic Rivers-Marie nose. Dark fruit with some nice spices to it. It smelled "purple". After about 15 minutes this began to shut down hard and did not give much off. Move forward 3 hours and this started to come out of it's shell again and show some nice dark red/black fruit, chocolate, cocoa, oak and a fantastic dusty earthy tannin that I really enjoyed. Overall I think this is going to mature nicely but for today it's almost painfully young. If you open them now make sure you give a long decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Thick to even look at. A nose that permeates the kitchen. Dark fruits, chocolate, coffee. The palate is rich and and smooth with plums, cassis, chocolate and more coffee. Modern cab, big, thick and a solidly tannic finish. Needs some time for the tannins to die down but a delicious bottle and for the price, Im glad I bought more than usual.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Agree with everyone else- young but tasting great - will be a knockout with some time. Couldn't imagine a better QPR for Napa cabs- with this flavor/profile. No wonder he knocked it out of the park with the right grapes - this is my first Rivers Marie but I will keep on buying based on this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Black ink. Black fruit. Powerhouse. Plums and black cherry ooze out of the bottle into the decanter which is stained by the wine (no really). This wine has great vanilla, coffee, and cocoa nuances and a crazy tannic backbone. Just too early for this. Still yummy but wull be amazing later. Note to self, wait a year. Rated only 91 but expect much higher score when it is ready.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted about 2 1/2 hours. A massively rich and creamy nose that reminds me of dark black fruits soaked in heavy cream. And though there was a lot of that, there was also some cigar leaves and spice. I also got just a hint of earth at the end. The palate was very much like the nose. The tannins were pretty aggressive, but all the rich flavors made it fun to drink. This could be a killer wine after it settles down.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is just delicious. My first RM Cab and I know it needs a few years, but this is flat out tasty. A bit of oak and plenty of tannins. Lots of fruit but everything is in proportion. Beautiful wine. Decanted for a couple of hours. Loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Burg Dinner (CA and France--Served Blind!) (Murray Casa): I pulled this at the end of the event, to go with the Dr Mrs chocolate cake. Cocoa on the nose, opulent. Seemed a bit less heavy than the 2007 version and we drank it down pretty fast. I liked it with the cake, as it leaned down the wine and the two together actually seemed like a nice complement to me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop & Pour. A little tight upon opening but still giving off some dark fruits with a dark cherry note along with some cedar, leather and vanilla. The oak is there and shows on the nose and palate. More fruits on the palate with a long finish. This wine is very young but still great. 2nd day - Fruit and finish is even better and the oak has intergrated and the wine is more balanced. Wish I had more than just a few more bottles and a mag. In my top 5 wines of the year with Spottswoode, The Madien and The Treat.94+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at hunting camp out of plastic cup, so no formal score. Big, chocolatey nose with dark fruit. Very smooth and well-made. A bit sweet. Drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
cassis, dark chocolate, oak on nose. smooth plums & mocha on the palate. excellent for the style, but it's not mine... too much sweet oak influence for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Dark, youthful purple/red hue. Expressive aromas of black fruits, blue fruits, red bean paste, vanilla bean, and a hint of spice. Medium-plus body. On the palate, this Cabernet delivers substantial fruit...think blackberry, blueberry, black currant, plum...quite the gamut, and complimented by additional notes of fresh herbs, spice from oak, and a touch of cedar. The tannins are large-scaled yet surprisingly smooth for such a young wine, and help to carry the fruit through on the lengthy finish. Really, this will only improve with time in the cellar...but man alive, if you have a nice stash it's absolutely worth popping the cork on a bottle to enjoy in it's youth, simply delicious juice!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour and then followed over a 2 hour period. Initially, the nose was a bit coy and reticent. The wine shows a nice combination of plum, black cherry and basil and sage. A bit of herbs on the finish with gripping tannins. This needs time to show its full range. Will check in on this on the second day. On the second day (corked and left at room temperature), the wine shows continued strength and complexity. The herbal elements have faded a bit and the richness of the wine speaks up. Well made. Bumped up a point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This cab featured more sweet than savory flavors; not really a style in my wheelhouse but an interesting try nonetheless. Popped and poured. The youth of the wine was apparent with noticeable wood on the palate along with red and black currants, caramel, baking spice and red licorice. On day 2, hints of tobacco were present but mostly drowned out by the sugary sweetness. Need to try again before rating.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
very young but good california cab, drinkable now with a little decanting...juicy and full of dark fruit, cassis, and oak. Want to see how this progresses with aging...it is wonderful now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour. This is way too young and we probably should have decanted it, but it was a last minute decision and we couldn't resist opening one to get our first taste of R-M Cab. The youth is painfully obvious on the nose and was pretty restrained upon opening, but this is still showing a full bouquet of black plums, dark berries and cassis with touches of tobacco and cedar. As the wine got some air in the glass over about 3 hours, the nose opened a bit to include some baking spices, mocha notes and a more integrated fruit profile with ripe concentrated red and black fruits. It is, to my palate, a fruit-bomb of a nose, but in a pleasant, plush and in control way. On the palate, this is silky smooth but full of tannin at the same time. And similar to the nose, came out of the gate a little restrained, but opened nicely over the 3 or so hours. Well-integrated in every way, the tannin was matched by the robust, slightly jammy fruit. At first the finish was short and punctuated, but as the wine opened up it lengthened out nicely and by the end was lingering and complex. Rating is for now, but I see lots of upside potential for this and am looking forward to revisiting in 3-5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened about and hour before sampling. Dark red in color, with sweet cassis and plum aromatics. Dense and weighty, yet in balance with fine tannins. The oak noticable, manifesting itself with smoke hints, but not intrusive and I suspect will easily be absorbed by the high quality fruit. Ripe, but still lively and energetic on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Like others, I find this better (at least young) than the '07. A very complete wine with that strikes a very nice balance between fruit depth and finesse. Cassis and fairly smoky oak on the palate. Will check in later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
14.5% ABV. Opaque dark garnet in the glass. Youthful ripe currant, cedar, oak, and cassis nose. Medium-full bodied with rich, plush ripe currant with some secondary notes of tobacco and sweet oak. Youthful, but approachable. 92-93+?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I double decanted back into the bottle and then drank with Thanksgiving dinner 4-1/2 hours later because someone on WB said this was ready to drink. Wrong. I have had young Thomas Rivers Brown cabs and they were fiercely tannic and tight as a drum. This was not, but it still tastes too much of the wood treatment - vanilla and toasty oak, with not enough of the fruit and power that I enjoy from TRB wines. This needs to rest for a while - as in years - to allow the flavors to integrate and the fruit to emeger from hiding behind the oak. I have a second bottle that I also double decanted and that we did not reopen. We will open it tonight and see if the extended oxygenation changes anything.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This started singing at 2-1/2 hours and kept improving until I had to re-cork it for the night. Beautiful fruit, gobs of black, red and blue...great texture, silky smooth, loads of tannins that integrated a bit but are still very prominent, pencil lead, mocha... super long finish. Oh man this is good. My first Rivers-Marie Cab, what an experience.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had out of bottle at the vineyard. This is a classic Napa cab, that transcends the previous vintage which I loved! Classic cassis flavors with medium red fruit and good structure that will last for a minimum 10 years. Surprised how well it was drinking this young. If you bought a lot I'd trial a bottle now, as it's very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened at 4:30pm and double decanted. My goal was to follow this wine over the course of a few hours to see how it develops with air time. Wine was decanted at cellar temp and remained there over the course of the evening.
4:30pm: Immensely dark color, black core with a slight purple tinge on the edge. Nose is rather explosive right on the first pour, cedar box, cigar shavings, ground nutmeg all rolled with a heavy dose of black fruits. Under the first layer are hints of cool blue fruits, spicy oak and an interesting mineral note that reminds me of crushed limestone. Nice medium weight mouthfeel, great balance and concentration without being heavy. Midpalate is a touch thin and the spice/toasty oak is very noticeable on the finish with some poking tannins. Smashing mixture of blackberry and raspberry fruit on the palate will revisit in an hour or so.
6:00pm: Color and nose have softened up a bit. Crème de casis, melted red licorice, raspberry reduction sauce all with a perfume like scent. More nutmeg, baking spices and a touch of pepper all mesh together. Palate has gained some weight and fattened up a bit in the mid palate. A roundness and plush mouthfeel carry the fruit all the way with a nice juicy finish. Black cherry, pomegranate and blackberry blend together to create a gorgeous fruit profile all rolled with a touch of mocha and baking chocolate. Tannins are still a touch during and sharp on the back end but have softened a bit since opening.
7:30pm: Wine has fleshed out a bit more displaying a full and lush mid-palate and a long sticky finish. The firm tannins that were present on the finish have rounded out a bit and integrated with the wonderful fruit after 3 hours of air. This wine is the complete package stacked with plentiful fruit, great structure and ample acidity to prevent it from becoming too thick or cloying. I am really excited to see what this does with a few years of age on it.
I agree with the Rivers Marie team that this wine is better than the 2007. It just seems a bit more complete and built in a slightly leaner style than the 2007. I am really excited about this wine and can’t wait to follow it over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/5/2024 - clutj Likes this wine: 92 Points
Jaminess is gone as you’d expect, leaving a very deep dark balanced wine. Tannins are integrated, a very smooth drinker. Seems like it will make 20 years without a problem.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2023 - CS_pikes wrote: 92 Points
A very solidly good wine that was surprisingly built to last. Tannins are still holding 15 years in. Great balance and fruit. It's probably just now entering its prime drinking window, but I expect this to still be good 5+ years from now. Not sure if it will ever develop secondary characteristics like BDX. It has basically been a wine that was good young and still holding just fine. I'll be drinking my bottles regularly at this point because I would be concerned that it will never be anything more than a good wine. Again, very impressive at 15 years old.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/26/2022 - cobbpa wrote: 88 Points
Tasty; clearly made to be delicious. Big dark fruits on the nose (blackberry, currant, plum) alongside vanilla and some spice & herb tones (clove, bit of olive). Mouthfilling & creamy, leaning on those fruit & vanilla flavors up front. Somewhat soft structured but backend has ripe tannin beneath the fruit and just enough acid to hold it together, with a bit of alcohol showing as the herb & spice tone on comes in.
Little movement since my last bottle many years back, surprisingly so. All of these RM Napa bottlings seem to hold, with little evidence of becoming more lean. Perhaps that bit of heat may point to drink in the near or mid term, but still is quite lively & delicious 14 years in.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2022 - Outplaying wrote:
Rich and dark with some chocolately oak. Not really in my or Ann's wheelhouse, but our kids loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2022 - StraightnoChaser wrote: 91 Points
Not a remarkable wine.
I’ve enjoyed the lineup of RM Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays for well over a decade but have kept a “hands-off” policy on the cabs until recently.
Maybe that’s a mistake.
This is a better than average Cab but not nearly as good as a 2017 we opened recently which, while young, was a real joy to drink.
The 2008 seems a bit tired.
All the elements are there with tobacco, dried herbs, plum, leather and cedar but they seem to be a bit separate rather than in harmony - as though they evolved at differing paces.
At the 2 hour mark it is slightly improved.
Drink em if you got em
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2021 - mdefreitas wrote: 92 Points
Better than my last bottle about a month ago. Stronger fruit, more complexity and no nail polish remover scents. Bottle variation?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2021 - mdefreitas wrote:
The tannins are a bit more resolved than when I last had this in 2010, but the fruit is a bit sweet for me and there is an annoying note of nail polish remover here. Not sure if this is a representative bottle. While drinkable, I can't say I was thrilled with it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2021 - galewskj wrote: 88 Points
Pop and pour, followed half a bottle over 2 hours. The nose is a lively, red-fruited, leathery classic cabernet. The palate, regrettably, turns dark, dusty, and slightly jammy. I can tease out some nice flavors but the overall experience is not what I look for in a cabernet, it remains dense and jammy. Do bear in mind that I’m more of a traditionalist, this was the only bottle of RM cabernet that I have ever purchased because I discovered early on that I didn’t like the style. However, I’ve tasted at least 7 of these thanks to my generous friends, this being the oldest. I’m probably a lousy source of information if you like this profile, but if you do, why not go to Outpost, or Shafer, or Rudius, and there’s probably a plethora of producers I don’t know about that are in this style but so much more balanced and better. All I know is that I love the Rivers Marie chardonnays (most of the time) and the pinot noirs (pretty much all the time) and do not anticipate ever buying another Rivers Marie Cabernet. My score is based on the positive qualities of the nose and the negative qualities of the palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2021 - JoeDwine wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour....brownish purple starting to show age.
Muted nose....graphite, earth, darker berries, currants.
with Steak/New Potatoes; (90 minute decant) cinnamon, chocolate, black cherry, dark raspberry, balsamic.
Really nice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2021 - zinnut wrote: 92 Points
Very nice and in a good place. I am finding some spice on the back palate that is a bit distracting. But overall a nice, mature cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/30/2020 - jfkwines wrote: 91 Points
Bottle variation over the three bottles we have consumed since April. This one kept us wanting more. Very fruit forward with just a hint of tannin that gave nice balance. Drink and enjoy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2020 - jfkwines wrote: 89 Points
Opened and aired for an hour or more.Not as fruity as we wanted it to be for our lean Hamburgers, but was still smooth,light to no tannins, some dark fruit like blueberries and we'll integrated. No reason to wait getting this holiday season, drink now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2020 - Cbartel wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with prior notes. Excellent cab in its prime. Drink up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2020 - tomlee wrote: 95 Points
Purple in color. 14.5% ABV. Stunning nose of blue and black fruits, licorice, leather and chocolate. Full bodied and concentrated. Plush and silky. Perfect balance. Blueberries, currants, cassis liqueur and espresso on the palate. The finish is long and supple with silky tannins. With fruit from Corona and Panek Vineyards the pedigree here is undeniable. Exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon that has aged brilliantly. Best over the next 2-4 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2020 - JustBreathe680 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Quarantine Review #9: On April 4, 2020, Will Segui, of Rivers Marie, said during a virtual tasting that the 2008 Napa Cab is one of his most memorable RM Cabs. The grapes that make up this wine are from Panek Vineyard and Corona Vineyard (approx. 50% from each). After hearing Will's praise and learning that this bottling was 50% from the Corona Vineyard, I figured this was a bottle I had to have in my collection, with the intent of minimal to no cellaring, and to be consumed while still under Shelter in Place due to the Coronavirus!
I found 1 bottle on Wine Searcher on April 4 after the virtual tasting at a reasonable price and had to buy it!
The wine was paired with a 40 day dry aged NY Strip but it does not need to be paired with food. I popped the cork and decanted for 1 hour. After 1 hour of air in a decanter, I poured it back into the bottle. The cork was in perfect shape and showed no age at all. The wine stain on the cork looked like a bottle from the 2018 vintage and not the 2008 vintage.
The color of the wine was a dark purple. The nose was starting to fade. The bouquet was more earth tones, with minimal fruit presence. However, there were some primary flavors still present. The fruit was predominantly dark/black (i.e. blackberries) but there was some red fruit present. There was a hint of sweetness from the alcohol, which was also present on the nose. There were some secondary flavors of earth and mineral. I did not detect any tertiary flavors.
The wine is full bodied and well balanced. The tannins have softened and smoothed out nicely. There was still good, medium, acid present.
I agree with many recent reviews. The wine appears to be at its peak and it is in a good place to pop the cork. The wine may stay at its peak for several more years but I don't see it significantly improving.
My rating is a 92-93.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/29/2020 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Black currant and cassis with vanilla and cedar notes. Nicely fresh and well balanced with good weight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2020 - Grape_ape Likes this wine:
Paired with some nice Hanger Steak. Still pretty youthful given its age. Nice red and dark berry fruit, oak is there but not obtrusive, but could stand to develop some secondary flavors to give it a bit more complexity and interest.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2020 - jfkwines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Aired for 2 hours Still fruity and accessible, while not sure the timetable is accurate, and this wine could go longer,no reason not to drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2020 - Bellissimo wrote:
Was a little concerned with first taste; seemed stewy and tired. This did blow off and was OK, not great. Blackberry, mocha, hints of cassis. Tannins are gone at this point and make it less interesting than in the past. Drink up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/2/2020 - travelme Likes this wine: 93 Points
A friend brought this bottle and it was absolutely terrific. It didn’t help my team win the super bowl but was an exceptional Cabernet that was at peak. Great flavors of blueberry, spice box, and creme de cassis. A terrific bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2020 - ljl203 wrote: 92 Points
Purple fruit, green and black olives, cinnamon, cocoa, nice length.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2019 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Wow. There are a LOT of users of this wine still in the database. And for my own context, I last tasted this way back in 2010 so it has been some time. Of note, this bottle was opened last night for a dinner we did, and the remainder of it sat out on the counter in the open bottle overnight. Retasting today at room temp of 68f, no food. I do recall last night that this wine was big, with some heft, some of that tell-tale higher ABV in the aromatic. I don't get that signature today but instead kind of a dill note, with just a wafting of the dark fruit. With this much air, the wine has really softened and evened out. Some dark fruit, iron, maybe some bittersweet chocolate and really overall tasting quite resolved. There is plenty of stuffing here, and enough acidity to also reinforce the wine. Overall, I don't see any further upside here and would think that for the pleasure this wine gives, I'd suggest opening an enjoying now. There are a lot of folks with bottles of this in their cellars, and it might be a good time to open one of these and see if you agree with me. In a good place, in a modern style that is not overdone.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2019 - fisk15 wrote: 93 Points
Took a while to blow off some funk, but once it did, it was a big, rich satisfying wine for several hours. A little tannin left, but mainly fruit forward. This is fairly one dimensional, but very good nonetheless.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2019 - Lockareff Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had this last night for Thanksgiving dinner. Nice but did not blow me away. A little funk on opening, blew off over the next hour but did not completely go away. Fruit still going strong, tannins pretty much gone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2019 - vanpe003 wrote: 92 Points
This is better than the bottle I opened in 2015. Very expressive on the nose. On the palate, rich if perhaps slightly one dimensional. Not a ton of structure or nuance. However the straight line palate is very pleasant. Pleasant enough for me to score this at "92". While there's no rush, the lack of structure suggests to me that this one might be better consumed sooner than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2019 - thalver wrote: 93 Points
Decanted and poured. It showed well from the get-go Explosive nose, classic CA cab flavors, good, if slighly drying finish. For my tastes, this 2008 has consistently out-performed the vintages just before or after.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2019 - VinoDiver Likes this wine: 94 Points
Expressive nose, dark blue fruits, silky finish. Drinking very well with about an hour of air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2018 - Jarndyce Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was fantastic tonight. 4 hr decant in the cellar, then paired perfectly with a couple of cast iron steaks.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2018 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
Napa Cabs by Luis - Part II (Jason's House): 2 hour decant, and consumed a pour after drinking 2007 Rivers Marie cab. This was slightly darker and brooding, with more black fruit. It still had a lot of the characteristics of TRB and modern Napa.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2018 - Bellissimo wrote:
Don't drink a lot of cabs in our house so take that in mind as you read this.
PnP. Fairly full throttled with ripe black raspberry / blackberry almost bordering on being extracted. There is a fair amount of menthol mid palate with cocoa on the finish. Tannins are somewhat firm. Started to strut its stuff about 90 minutes after being opened. Decant recommeded.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2018 - budman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great QPR!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2018 - scott davis wrote: 91 Points
Inky purple color. Still showing a young palate of up-front juicy dark berry, blackberry, black licorice, and oak. Appropriately tannic and structured, with a medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/10/2018 - cab blends Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nose is a little lacking compared to our lineup. N7.
Some light bark. Hints of red and some light heat in the nose.
Youthful body. Balanced oak and fruit. Ar llcomes across as youthful.
767
F7 b 7
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/10/2018 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 93 Points
Dark purplish ruby core with softer edges. Layered nose with dark cocoa, cinnamon cedar, black currants, cassis and a touch of damp leaves and mushrooms underneath. Medium plus tannins (7/10) and textured full body. Complex palate with layers of black currants, graphite, dusty black cherries, dark spices and forest floor. Long finish. Drink till 2021.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/29/2018 - Cbartel wrote: 93 Points
Very dark, almost Syrah-like color. Intense blackberry and currant flavors. Definitely a Napa cab but not too over-the-top fruit and alcohol. This is in its prime and one to enjoy over the next couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2018 - Cow Town Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ten years old, and still surprisingly young and fresh, with tannins and grip out of the bottle. A few hours of air really helped, turning it into a dark, lush, interesting wine. Impressive for the multi-vineyard bottling.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2017 - J @ y H @ c k Likes this wine:
No note, but never had a bad Rivers Marie Cab.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2017 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As delicious as the last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/20/2017 - EMTAME wrote: 92 Points
Still youthful at age 9, both visually and in the mouth. Rich dark fruits, savory underbrush, and Kenyan coffee are nicely interwoven on the palate and lead into a zippy peppercorn-inflected finish. There's a touch of alcoholic warmth on the finish, but it's actually quite pleasant. Very good now, but there are plenty of years left in this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/29/2017 - clutj wrote:
Seemed very fruit forward and jammy to me as well... Seems to be a real split in reviews, where some taste elegance and balance and others can't get past the jaminess...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2017 - TLR Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking beautifully no need to wait...
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2017 - EMTAME wrote: 93 Points
This is just in a really good spot. I have one more and don't expect to hold it more than a few more months, as I can't imagine it'll get better than where it's at right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/6/2017 - Wine Sparty wrote: 88 Points
Aroma is nice with heavy scent of blackberry. The taste is very fruit forward with blueberry and blackberry. Too jammy for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2017 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 93 Points
A terrific 2008 that is evolving nicely. The rich ripe cassis and blackberry fruit is nicely lifted by a still firm but softening tannic structure. A big, full bodied style, but by no means a fruit bomb in the world of Cali Cabs. I can't think of another peer in its QPR- as good or better than some 3x the ~$55 price.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2017 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious blackberry, cassis, oak, and spice on the nose and silky palate with moderate tannins on the long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/12/2017 - smphelps wrote: 92 Points
Drank new years eve with prime rib. In a really great place right now. Tobacco, blueberry, and licorice. Nice weight, balanced, and long. No need to wait, I think, but will probably hold here for 5+ years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2016 - rickspicks wrote: 88 Points
Massive fruit-bomb, but very tasty. Tons of ripe, dark, deeply flavored fruit but with no hint of elegance or complexity. A jug wine on steroids.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2016 - EMTAME wrote: 93 Points
Mmm mmm, good. This is in a great place at the moment. Drink 'em if you've got 'em.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/19/2016 - *Vine* wrote:
Popped and poured. Deep ruby/garnet. Incredible nose, so complex and nuanced...red fruits, blue fruits, fresh mint, fresh oregano, forest floor/autumnal vegetation, violet, red bean paste, anise, etc. So much going on. Medium-plus body. A true "wow" palate, this pretty much epitomizes deliciousness...everything you want from Napa Cabernet. Endless close.
While the tannins are still suggesting of a very optimistic future, this might be best to drink now and over the next 3-5 years while the fireworks are still exploding.
Quick comment: This might be the best Cabernet TRB has made. I say this as someone who has tasted many other vintages and cuvées of R-M, not to mention Schrader.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2016 - wineheadGA Likes this wine: 93 Points
Voluptous wine after an 2 hours of air. Firm tannins, Somewhat fruit forward after the first glass. Very approachable now, I definitely am quite pleased with this one, actually 2008 cabernets as a whole. Drinking well, 93+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/11/2016 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine is drinking so great despite tasting so young even with an hour decant. Drinks like a newly released wine rather than an 8 year old cab. A serious cab with a long life ahead of it. Loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2015 - Bellissimo wrote:
Decanted 90 minutes, consumed over the next 2+ hours. Pure, prototypical California Cabernet. Cassis, blackberry, cocoa, and sandal wood. Fairly ripe pure fruit, tannins are pleasant but a bit chewy but definitely a crowd pleaser. I'll wait 2 or 3 more years before coming back.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2015 - Knicksfan wrote: 92 Points
Always reliable; true to type Cal CS; Nice fruit, medium tannin; good drinking
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2015 - gutt22 Likes this wine:
14.5% alcohol. Crimson color. Pretty nose of black currant and cassis, with a nice earthy, tobacco-tinged note. In the mouth, beautiful balance, with bold fruit and good, refined back end structure. Good acidity helps focus the earthy notes. This is terrific. A-
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/6/2015 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 93 Points
Agree completely with Wine Spectator review. Really nice Napa cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2015 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As delicious as the last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2015 - vanpe003 wrote:
No detailed notes. Pleasant, but a bit linear and one-dimensional. No complaints, but no "wow".
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2015 - amateurwino wrote: 91 Points
Now opened the rest of the bottle; like last time, this is very primary with blackcurrant fruit and fares better with a day long decant. Won't reach the level of the 06 for me in terms of earthy elements in addition to the fruit, I suspect, but we shall see with remaining bottles in the cellar. Shows a tad hot at times. The Coravin preserved this bottle well for a six-month span.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2015 - Knicksfan wrote: 91 Points
Certainly still big and fruity; very pleasant taste and finish; not overly complex
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2015 - Robert R. wrote: 86 Points
Popped and poured. Fruity nose with some chocolate. Big, fruity wine on the palate: dark fruits, cassis, a bit of vanilla/oak, and some underlying graphite and maybe olive notes. Tannins are integrated and acid is noticeable. Seems well-made and well-balanced, but not very interesting and too big for most dishes.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2015 - amateurwino wrote:
Accessed a small taste again, with notes consistent with last time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2015 - J @ y H @ c k Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not much of a formal note - actually a bit calm for a TRB wine but the 2008s are turning out to be quite excellent easy drinking cabs. Love the wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2015 - smphelps wrote: 93 Points
This is really hitting a stride, with deep black current, blueberry, and tobacco notes. The grainy texture and astringency that it displayed in youth have settled well. Great to try now, but might be even better in a few more years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2015 - mkmast wrote: 91 Points
I had this along side of a 2008 Venge Silencieux. The RM clearly shows the presence of oak compared to the Venge. It is a jammier style that shows the fruit in a very forward manner. There are vanilla notes that make it more of a stand alone drinker than a pair for food.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2015 - rrschrumjr Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted and drank over several hours. Dark maroon in color. Somewhat muted nose, even after decanting, but notes of tart, chocolate-covered red fruits. Features very nicely on the palate: tart but dark red fruits, some bitter chocolate, medium tannins that linger but fade pleasantly. A big cab, but well made and well-balanced.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2015 - Zonk wrote: 91 Points
Definitely on the rich side. Oak still showing but not obtrusive. Lots of cherry fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2014 - Bebum Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opaque, plum color, moderate legs.
Intense, complex and outstanding nose, woody, fruity, chocolate.
Full body, silky, soft tannins, very flavorful, long palate.
Fruity but not sweet, high acidity, balanced.
Plums, vanilla, cedary, chocolate, minty.
Delicious, a big wine, quite ready for drinking, but with this level of acidity and fruit, I would expect it to improve still for another year, at least.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2014 - cobbpa Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great, if partially in despite of the oak flavors that also add deliciousness. Dark fruit, blue fruit, olive-like tones, vanilla hints. Creamy layer to the finish.
Best after a few hours of air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2014 - Stumpy wrote: 88 Points
I thought this was good-very fruit driven but did not get the jammy profile some have mentioned. Was not too complex and not sure in his crowded price range would be my favorite.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2014 - Acohen Likes this wine: 94 Points
Rich dark fruit with blackberry, cassis and a ton of chocolate and some mocha with silky tannins and smooth finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2014 - rickspicks wrote: 86 Points
Very primary, over-ripe, dark berry fruit with spice and a touch of earth. Fruit-forward and sweet on the palate with a medium to full body, and a sappy, jammy texture. Way too much primary fruit, not nearly enough structure and very simple and straightforward. My wife liked it, but to me it tasted like a cheap California zinfandel fruit bomb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2014 - amateurwino wrote:
Taste from Coravin; fruit still very primary. After a 24 hour decant the fruit is less dominant and reveals some of the slightly earthy quality that made me such a fan of the '06. Hold or give this lots of air to get the best this wine has to offer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/19/2014 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 91 Points
Cassis, blackberries on nose. Medium bodied Cali Cab. Drinking nicely now- smooth tannins on finish. Decent QPR for Cali Cab
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2014 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 93 Points
4th of July Weekend Wines - Lots of 'em; 7/3/2014-7/7/2014 (Northeast Ohio): This bottle was an unsolicited replacement bottle for a corked bottle. RM has some of the best customer service. Pop and pour, this developed well over the hour or two it was open. The nose has cassis, some oak, and some spice. Juicy texture. There is a good amount of fruit, but everything is in balance. Tight layering as it unwinds in the glass. Everyone loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2014 - Tudz Drkl Likes this wine: 91 Points
Cedar box and menthol combine with black fruits to make an intriguing nose consistent with the palate. The mouth feel is pleasing with soft yet ample tannins and plenty of acidity in balance with the delicious spiced fruits. A really nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/2/2014 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious blackberry, cassis, oak, and spice on the nose and silky palate with soft tannins on the long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2014 - NTR wrote: 92 Points
Decanted. Very distinct nose. Cherry and oak and some graphite. Very fruit, well integrated, tannic, tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2014 - haldolugr wrote: 92 Points
Smooth and velvety in the mouth, fruit is well integrated, full bodied but not a huge cab - just right.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2014 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
Boo. Last bottle. Great nose of cassis, beef and dark berries. Delicious with short ribs with dark fruit notes, great weight and some tannins still rearing up at the end. Very satisfying wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2014 - Loren Sonkin wrote: flawed
Sadly, this was an off bottle and my last one. On opening, there was a fair amount of VA. I have not seen this posted on any notes, so I suspect this was an off bottle for some reason. Some cassis, some cherries, but plenty of nail polish remover. It didn't blow off with air, but I did enjoy two glasses as it was noticeable on the nose but the palate was nice. I recorked (with a neutral cork) and left it on my counter until today. The VA got much worse and it is undrinkable. We spilled the rest down the drain. Too bad a the wine has the stuffing. Not sure why this would manifest in a single bottle. No question about it though. To be clear, I enjoyed my prior bottles with no sign of issues. It happens.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/27/2014 - Lessthanzero wrote: 92 Points
yum...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2013 - J @ y H @ c k Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ok, let's be precisely geeky. Uncorked using new Durand, gift from wife. Decanted for 5 hours in average size flat bottom decanter with long neck that was left in wine cellar at 58 degrees during the decant. Removed from cellar about 30 minutes before dirnking to slightly warm up. Drunk from Zalto Cabernet glasses with standing rib roast and green beans with mushrooms and shallots.
This is an outstanding wine. Excellent balance and very smooth. Still very young and primary. Red fruit and some pepper spice. Is this Howell Mountain fruit? The winery is up there but I do not know the source of the fruit. It has a tiny bit of pepper spice that is indicative of that mountain, so perhaps it is. There are some oak notes even after the long decant, but it is still an infant so that is not a surprise. Extremely smooth mouthy feel and no rough tanins. This is different from the early RM cabs, like 2003 and 2004, which were real beasts. TRB once e-mailed me on E-bob in response to a post about when I should decant the 2003 by saying something like "right now, you can't give that wine too much air." The 2008 is much smoother and approachable. Quite delicious. My son and I fought (politely) over the last ounce. The 14.5% alcohol was not noticeable, but maybe that was partly because I only got a quarter of the bottle between my wife and two sons.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2013 - smphelps wrote: 91 Points
Certainly better than when I last had this (2 years ago). Shows a lot of oak but also more finesse and integration. Blackberry and licorice with a leathery texture. Would still hold a bit longer; maybe three more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2013 - twelch wrote: 92 Points
Napa.. What more to say. Big in your face fruit with noticeable oak. In the mouth silky smooth fruit oak and tannins all dance nicely together. Starting to open up nicely and I'm sure it will get better with a little more age.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2013 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 94 Points
Just a killer cab that Joan and I loved. I would love to taste all those $100 cabs blind against this wine. My guess is that this wine would wine would stand up to the majority to most of them.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2013 - Acohen Likes this wine: 91 Points
Little bit hot on opening but smoothed out to be very nice dark fruited cab with currant, berry and mocha and nice tannin balance
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2013 - VinoDiver Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lots of Alcohol on day 1 that was gone on day 2 leaving a terrific wine. Dark black fruits with soft tannins and a wonderful nose on day 2 made this really enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2013 - etherscreen wrote:
fruit is receding a bit to reveal quite a delicious bottle of cali cab. plenty of earth, a touch of herb, some cassis all wrapped up in a feminine package. very pretty and very delightful on this evening. throwing quite a bit of sediment, so either filter or stand this up for a few days prior to serving. a stellar qpr.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2013 - Tim Heaton wrote:
PnP, served non-blind. Surprisingly approachable now, but clearly would have benefited from an hour or two in decanter as the flavors and aromas were fairly simple through 90 minutes. Big, and oaky, with more of a cocktail wine persona than food wine. Bored after the first glass. 14,5% abv
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/17/2013 - Hex triplet #43302E wrote:
Very nice wine. Deep, lush, balanced, not at all cloying or heavy. Polished, but not unattractively. Throwing a lot of sediment. Really enjoyable. Needs time in decanter to open up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/27/2013 - Dale B. wrote: 93 Points
This is so much better than a previous bottle I wonder if there is bottle variation. A classic Napa cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/3/2013 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Better than some of the previous bottles, it's really coming into it's own now so I'd drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2013 - AccaDacca wrote: 90 Points
Drank over three days. Initial impression was of dark fruit with an intense amount of oak present. Biiiig wine. Day two much better as oak seemed less overwhelming and wine settled down a bit. Day 3 was best of all, as wine showed some nuance and a bit more balance. Would say hold these for a while so its more integrated or decant for a long time. Good future ahead for this, just a bit disjointed to me right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2013 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 85 Points
Ok, not bad, but not great. A little light for me, but made well nonetheless.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2013 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 94 Points
A beautiful cab that is drinking great now but has the tannin and hopefully the fruit to allow this wine to continue to drink well for at least five more years. Loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/3/2013 - winecharmer Likes this wine: 94 Points
Demonstrable improvement over the prior bottle, as this was ready to rock right out of the gate. Nicely balanced between power and finesse; beautiful black fruits meshed with a floral bouquet and an incredible finish. In a word, complete. Decanted and consumed over about 2 hours. Kept improving with more air and as it warmed up from cellar temp, but again, great immediately.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2013 - pakabear Likes this wine: 92 Points
consistent notes. good fruit with a fairly noticeable amount of oak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2013 - zoeldar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Took quite a while to open up, even after 1 hr decanting...at first very reserved and sorta flat...and then, about 1/2 way thru the meal, it blooms like a rose garden. Lush dark fruit (blackberry) predominates, with suave tannins and lingering finish. Well done...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2013 - davidwhitedc wrote: 90 Points
Blind Tasting of 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Thomas Rivers Brown: The nose, which opens with ripe red cherries and toasted oak, is surprisingly red and smoky. Beyond the cherries and smoke, one can find more red fruits, blackberry, some purple Powerade, cedar, and a hint of bittersweet chocolate and espresso. The tannins are fairly aggressive but very well structured. The weight is lighter than I'd expect and a hint of alcohol emerges at the finish. I'd love to revisit this in a few years to see if it gains concentration and integrates better in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2013 - Acohen wrote: 92 Points
Nice new style Cabernet with great currant, berry and well integrated tannins. Has wonderful balance and a strong finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2013 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
Right in the sweet spot for me. Big nose of cranberries, a hint of citrus and some dark chocolate. I has put on weight on the palate and lost some of the tightness to reveal some more chocolate than before and cleaner, mellowed fruit. Still a refreshing streak in it that I love. Great wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2012 - haldolugr wrote: 90 Points
Fantastic cab. Full bodied with good fruit and tannin integration. A finish that lasts for days. Give it a good decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2012 - jdabrowski1027 wrote: 92 Points
90 minute decant. Nose is very present- cotton candy, waxy, touch of tropics, cassis. Big boned, but voluptuous... Approachable now, sweet blueberry, and cherry wrap a dense core. The tannins are a little grainy, and theres a creamy, but clipped finish. overall it's a nice package, classic trb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2012 - Lessthanzero wrote: 94 Points
This is too easy...
(please change the label, though)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2012 - deltacop wrote: 92 Points
Just keeps getting better. Awesome.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2012 - ggolec wrote:
Took about 6 hours to come around but when it did...wow. Fairly subtle red fruits, cedar, baking chocolate. A nice subtle richness once this opens up. I'll wait another 2+ years for my next one. If drinking now, give it a long decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2012 - OneLastSyrah Likes this wine: 92 Points
14.5% ABV. Opaque dark garnet in the glass. classy/classic Cali Cabernet nose of ripe currants and cedar, with some background complexity - mint?. Medium-full bodied with plush red fruit and sweet oak. Some fine grained tannins, but this is showing well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/31/2012 - jcha24 wrote:
Had my first of these the other day....ripe sweet fruit. Not candied, but just short of the border. If you are not a new world lover, you need to be in the mood to drink this, which I was. The tannins are receding a bit, but i think this could be even nicer with more time. Enjoyed this, but probably won't touch another of my 4 for about another year or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/23/2012 - kthornton78 wrote: 93 Points
deep ruby red. aromatics are decidedly dark - coffee, warm soil, cedar, eucalyptus, and bittersweet chocolate envelope the fruit which is more "red" than before. the palate shows similar notes with great concentration and balance. there is fruit, spice, and cocoa with softening tannins and juicy acids that keep you coming back for more. a couple more stashed far out of reach. will be curious to see this in 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2012 - amateurwino wrote: 93 Points
This wine is really coming along, with the oak now receding a bit to reveal the pretty fruit underneath. Tasted side by side with 2008 Larkmead, the was a bit denser and richer, with espresso notes and velvety tannins. The medium-dark fruits are starting to show a perfumed quality. Still needs time, but has some good stuffing to promise further evolution. I wasn't entirely sure how much complexity this would gain when tasted at release, but so far this is panning out well. Lovely and tasty. 93 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/5/2012 - Uglypinga wrote: 94 Points
Blind. Cranberries and chocolate on the luscious nose. The palate has nice red berries with a great hint of orange peel that brings it freshness. A very clean, inviting finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2012 - jdbcolumbus wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 2.5 hours. Nose of sweet black fruit, cassis, pencil shavings and mocha. Very nice soft mouth-filling entry on the palate with big sweet fruit in balance with oak, acidity and heat. Enjoyable creamy fruit, mocha and toast finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2012 - Wine Sparty wrote: 86 Points
Decanted for about 45 minutes before drinking over the course of 2-3 hours. This just had some sweet and jammy profile that wasn't really my style. I don't know if it was in a strange phase becuase this wasn't like the bottle I had last year. It's pretty hot on the palate too. Based on the fact I liked the last bottle, I'm hoping this gets back to form in the coming years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2012 - haldolugr wrote: 88 Points
Really good but was a pop and pour, needs time to open up. Was tight and not as friendly without a good decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/25/2012 - mkmast wrote: 93 Points
Almost exactly a year from the previous opening and for the same reason. It is a really fabulous wine. I don't know if you can call a $55 wines having great QPR, but most people would think this wine is at least a $100+ bottle. Could get better with age. I took my whole allocation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/25/2012 - pakabear wrote: 91 Points
This bottle seemed to be lacking in acidity as previous examples. Still a wonderful nose of dark blue fruit and cassis. Good balance and overall roundness, but not terribly complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2012 - Acohen wrote: 92 Points
fabulous big cab with lots of sweet berry and currant and mocha in the midpalate. Well balanced and delicious
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/18/2012 - rmh66 wrote: 93 Points
Steaks and wines at Dan's house (Bellevue, Washington): Tasted single blind. 4 hours of air prior. My last tasting note still holds: "Sweet cassis, herbs, boysenberry, chocolate, cedar on the nose. Blackberry, cassis, cedar, herbs,and vanilla on the palate." Rich in texture, with layers of flavors and a very nice finish. Seemed a lot more expensive than it was. My favorite of the tasting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2012 - HenryW wrote: 92 Points
Black currants on the nose and palate. Some coffee grounds on the palate as well. Tannic. Young. Better on day 2.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/29/2012 - cubswinws wrote: 92 Points
Nice balance and soft fruit. A bit more integrated than a year ago.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2012 - DuaneT wrote: 92 Points
Initial pop and pour showed way too much tannin for my taste. After an hour, though, notes of chocolate, licorice are very noticeable with a hint of raspberry. Smooths out even more on day 2 and was very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2012 - jmull wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for three hours. This is a big boy. Loads of sweet fruit and vanilla oak, with lots of length and power. A very hedonistic bottling at this point, although --notably-- there's no alcohol showing through and everything seems to be in balance. This is very enjoyable now, but a few years to let the oak integrate and a few secondary flavors emerge will do wonders, so hold off if you can. 90-93.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2012 - ptelgenh wrote: 93 Points
Drank side by side with 05 Schroeder T6 and 08 Double Diamondin homage to Thomas Rivers Brown. Same tasting notes as previous. Dark fruit, blueberry with intense richness and firm tannins. Plenty of time remaining with this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2012 - rmh66 wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured and followed for several days. Comes across fairly primary but outstanding on day 1 but balances out over time. Sweet cassis, herbs, boysenberry, chocolate, cedar on the nose. Blackberry, cassis, cedar, herbs,and vanilla on the palate. Very fruit forward and maybe a bit sweet at first, but gains balance over time. Needs a lot of time. 90-92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/21/2012 - winelover1 wrote: 93 Points
Really nice Cabernet from Thomas Rivers Brown. Full bodied with fresh black fruit from the start to a long harmonious finish.Terrific.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2012 - Dasher wrote: 97 Points
Great wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2012 - *Vine* wrote:
Popped and poured. Medium-plus bright purple/ruby hue. Immediately upon removing the cork this wine showed a solid perfume of fruits...think blackberry, currant, red bean paste, herbs, menthol, cedar, and spice from oak. With air, the herbaceous element expands. Medium-plus body. On the palate, the fruit is definitely youthful and pronounced with tiers of black fruits and red fruits complimented by cedar, herbs and oak notes of vanilla spice with subtle toast. Interestingly, a faint impression of minerals is noticeable and adds depth. Lush and seamless all around, with smooth tannins on the moderate-plus finish. This is a wonderful wine that should only get better with more age. If opening now, a short decant would help as this continually improved over the course of 3 hours. Great juice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2012 - RMundell Likes this wine:
really tight never opened up. I should have decanted for a few hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2012 - kthornton78 wrote:
following the 2009 hobel. consistent with most recent note. great bottle of cab. complex and delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2012 - rdsboca wrote: 92 Points
A crowd please - same experience as past bottles. Big black and deep red fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2012 - silton wrote: 92 Points
Drinking well with a long decant. Well proportioned but semi standard Napa Cab at a good QPR for the genre. Not profound but delicious and substantial.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/17/2012 - jaylew1 wrote:
NO rating. WAY too early. Certainly not ready for pop and pout. Hard to describe this wine as anything other than shut tight. I do expect that either a 3-5 hour decant or 2-3 more years will yield something very special. Wonderful silky mouthfeel and a bit of black fruit and vanilla on the nose and the palate. I'll check back in tomorrow on this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2012 - Screameagle wrote: 93 Points
So good now after a two hour decant and will only get better in a couple of years. A serious wine that I love. A very dark cab that is still very primary. Love it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2011 - hkfoebee wrote:
Very very young. Almost wished I didn't open bottle as there was nothing special at this point in time. O well. We'll see how this one develops in the next 5 years...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2011 - rrschrumjr wrote: 92 Points
Outstanding. Huge, meaty nose. Tons of secondary characteristics on the palate: chocolate, cassis, hazelnut, vanilla -- too many to name. Blackberries and blueberries, but restrained and complementary of the secondary characteristics. A huge wine, but with some elegance as well. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2011 - Maliblue wrote: 94 Points
Gorgeous wine. Approachable, silky and elegant. The fruit is so pure, the tannins integrated. This is rapidly becoming my go to Cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2011 - thalver wrote:
big and dumb. Try again after a few years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/16/2011 - smphelps wrote: 88 Points
Consumed blind at an American tasting given for the Oxford University Tasting Society. Served alongside a 1999 Swanson "Alexis," this wine was closed and dense and exacerbated by the comparison. Dark purple in color (almost shiraz-like), the nose smelled of canned vegetables and sometime like an iron oar factory. In the mouth, this wine was much better, with blackberry, cassis, leather and earth notes. Structure was balanced and the wine felt well-made, not angular at all despite its youth. It has a life, certainly, but that life is not now. Cellar for 5 years, at a minimum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2011 - dannyk8232 wrote: 92 Points
A young brute, filled with rich dark fruit and grippy tannins. A monster that will only reward patience.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2011 - haldolugr wrote: 92 Points
Wow - Love this cab and it's so young - can't wait to taste as it ages and smooths out a little. Full body - big fruit - blackberry, chocolate, and oak. Great finish!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2011 - rdsboca wrote: 91 Points
Blind Cabs (32 East Delray Beach): Tasted Blind (Black Bag 1): Bright red cherry, some vanilla but primarily red fruit. Most int he group guessed Washington State. This was my wine and I orgininally thought Washington to but after I identified the sweet but somewhat tart finish, I nailed the correct bottle. Originally I thought 2005 to 2008, but there was a youthful edginess that finished with some cocoa that changed my mind.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2011 - amateurwino wrote: 91 Points
Very tasty - notes consistent with last time - lots of red-purple fruit and vanilla oak sweetness at first. Burnt mocha flavors on the finish reveal this to be not as effortlessly good as the 2006 in my opinion. On nights 2 and 3, wine left in the glass for a full 24 hours was better than on the night poured, less dominated by the oak and sweetness, so give this as much air as you can and don't judge on first impression after opening. There is juicy acid to the fruit here to portend that this wine will get better. Scored this a very enjoyable 91, and then found that matches my last note. Doesn't yet show the touch of earthiness that made the 06 so exceptional for me, but we will see if that comes through in time?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2011 - mikev101 wrote: 91 Points
Wow...MUCH better than the bottle I had back in April...no noticeable heat or overpowering alcohol this time..just a rich lush Napa Cab with great big dark fruit and subtle oak with an extremely long finsh...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2011 - t_moderne wrote: 89 Points
Pop and pour and followed over 5 to 6 hours. Did not serve with food (exlcuding some pretzels and chips). Dark, dense and thick, this wine shows a concentration of ripe fruit. A bit sweet from the ripe red and black fruits. Good but not outstanding, this time around.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2011 - rdsboca wrote: 93 Points
I love this wine once again. Fresh fruit with an awesome mouthfeel. Dare I say chewy. Black fruit with a cherry core. Consistent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2011 - glaze3 wrote:
Decanted 2 hours and drank over 4. Fantastic nose, nice medium+ mouthfeel, dark lively fruit with spice, cedar, menthol. Falls short on the finish with enough oak poking through to become distractive. Clearly young and in need of 2 to 3 more years in bottle. Nice potential. Hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2011 - MindMuse wrote: 92 Points
Well my first R-M and it was doggone nice. Outshined tonight by a Brunello, but it has five years on the cab. Rich and deep fruit with eucalyptus and vanilla. 92-94.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2011 - cubswinws wrote: 92 Points
Still a big fruity wine although smooth and nice long finish. Will have a nice long life.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2011 - markjahnke wrote:
Been dying to try one of these, so it was decanted through the Vinturi, then through another aerating funnel for sediment (yes, there was a bit) and in the decanter in the cellar for a 6 hour decant prior to tonights offline at Hamilton Grill Room in Lambertville. Still one seat available if interested. Formal notes to come!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2011 - kthornton78 wrote: 94 Points
wow. the difference a few months makes... popped, poured off a glass, rest into the decanter. the heat has resolved and this is beautiful from the first sip. on the nose: blackberry, currant, cedar, dusty cocoa, a touch of menthol. on the palate: rich, dark fruits bolstered by a hint of chocolate and vanilla - not overpowering, though. great persistence with a lingering note of sweet tannin, cocoa and pipe tobacco. this is fantastic now, but i've stashed a couple bottles beyond reach to see how it evolves. glad i went deep on the 2009s.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/29/2011 - CTuttle wrote: 94 Points
I think what I like about this wine is how approachable it is very young. I don't drink much cab, but like the 2007, this wine is just great right off the bat. I love the hedonistic qualities of this wine, while it's not over the top. The nose is killer. I don't know about aging, but I can't see why I'd ever want to. If you want balance, you might want to wait a few years. The structure is there, but right now it's all about the fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2011 - Dasher wrote: 95 Points
Very impressive wine! I think 3 mire years and this wine will be amazing. Can't wait to drink another one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/20/2011 - mkmast wrote: 92 Points
Decided to try since the allocation of the 2009's comes out next week and I haven't tried one. Aroma is surprisingly strong - without any aeration it was like sticking your nose in the wine version of a candle. I mean this in a good way as the fruit just jumps out of the glass. As a result, I was a little worried that this would be over the top but I was really pleasantly surprised. A really well put together wine. Black currants and some cherry are present as well as maybe a hint of coffee and cedar. I think some age will make tis wine show even better. Drinks like it should cost more. I think I'll take my allocation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2011 - twelch wrote: 91 Points
Still a bit on the closed down end of the spectrum. Nice bottle that has a lot of upside down the road.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2011 - *Vine* wrote:
Popped and poured. Deep purple/crimson hue. Pronounced aromas of red and black fruits, ripe currant, anise, and vanilla bean along with intriguing aromas of herbs...certainly mint with perhaps even a hint of fresh basil. Medium-plus body. On the palate, the fruit shows pure and focused with a quiet intensity in how the flavors are presented at this stage; flavors including ripe blackberry, black cherry, black currant, and plum plus additional notes of dark cocoa, mint leaves, fresh cedar shavings, and spice from toasted oak. The tannins are round and smooth on the plus close. A hallmark of this wine and in previous vintages is the overall balance in that there is truly a sense of harmony and balance as no one element seems too overbearing, out of place, or lacking - which is all the more impressive for a big, Napa Cab! Additionally, this is already developing more nuance with herbaceous notes becoming more pronounced than on release. Just an excellent wine with tremendous upside, should only get better in the next 3-5+ years and drink nicely for many more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2011 - lsnider wrote: 94 Points
1.5 hour decant. Very consistant notes other than the the oak came across more intergrated. Just a fabulous wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2011 - Acohen wrote: 92 Points
Great nose of chocolate, dark fruit and coffee. Had a fabulous, complicated mix of dark fruits, cocoa, coffee and oak that was all well integrated and not over the top. Very, very well done
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2011 - tooch wrote: 90 Points
Dinner in Seattle (Bin on the Lake - Kirkland, WA): Plush wine with ripe flavors of cherry, cassis, charcoal and cedar. Was drank alongside a 2004 QC, and this didn't have that wines elegance, but I'm guessing that has more to do with age than quality. The balance on the finish was a bit off for me with the heat coming through...but again, more a sign of its age than poor wine making. Will be a great bottle in a couple years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2011 - last chance wrote: 94 Points
WLTV Offline - WA/OR tasting (Bin on the Lake, Kirkland, WA): The nose of this wine had aromas of dark cherries, anise and a very spicy sandalwood note. The palate had flavors of dark cherries, licorice and spices. Really big and smooth mouthfeel and a long finish that somehow seems to gain in intensity. A real Wow wine for me, and once again my WOTN.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2011 - RMundell Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really like this. Nice balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2011 - winecharmer wrote: 93 Points
Pie-plate decanted through an aerating funnel (and did a taste through a Vinturi as well). Definitely opened too young, but the wine evolved and blossomed after about 2 hours of air. Initially, some powerful acetone that quickly blew off (thank God) gave way to strong notes of vanilla, raspberries, currants, and a hint of butter. Luscious on the palate, the wine was inky without being jammy. Reminded me of an '07 Two Hands Charlie's Patch Cab. I'd say lay down for at least another year, if not 3, even with a vigorous decant. Psyched to try it again in 2014.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2011 - blaine wrote:
Needs time, disjointed, simple, angular. Lots of oak, lots of fruit, don't know that this is built for the long haul...more the medium haul. Check back in a couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2011 - troger wrote: 92 Points
Very nice wine. Rich fruit and good balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/24/2011 - Uglypinga wrote:
great cab nose of currants and darj berries with a little chocolate. the palate is a little tight but there are flashes of cassis raspberries currabts abd a little oak. the mid palate needs to release and every time ive meant to give it some air but it never lasts...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2011 - B Paul wrote: 92 Points
Well made with red and dark fruit. Also, as another taster noted, a bit of sandalwood. Approachable now, but the tannins come through on the finish suggesting this will age nicely for several years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2011 - mikev101 wrote: 86 Points
OK...I must be missing something here...I was looking forward to drinking this since it arrived in November 2010. Decanted for 3 hours. First impression was HOT HOT HOT....so much overpowering alc. 3 hours later not much had changed. Had many of the typical Cab characteristics - dark fruit, oak, coffee.....but this was NOT the $50 wine I was expecting based on the rave cellartracker reviews....Would take the Provenance Rutherford for 1/2 the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
4/3/2011 - Zonk wrote: 92 Points
Nose was closed compared to when we tasted at the winery in October. Palate had lots of blueberries with a bit of espresso on the finish. should improve with another year or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2011 - last chance wrote: 94 Points
The nose of this wine has aromas of blackberries, cherries, anise and a sandalwood note. I wish that I knew which type of barrels give wines that sandalwood-like note. Darnajou maybe? I'm going to have to figure it out as I have noticed it in several of Mike Smith's wines, but this was the first TRB wine that I noticed it in. The palate had very rich and smooth dark cherry and black fruit flavors with a black licorice note. This had a huge mouthfeel and a long finish. I loved this wine. My WOTN.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2011 - Lessthanzero wrote: 93 Points
Is this too good? Or too accessible? Opened this to get some direction for where it is headed, but it is so soft you wonder if it already arrived? Creme the cassis, red/black currant and loads of vanilla on the nose. Good round mouth feel with smooth corduroy bordering on silky tannins. This is 92 to 93 for me, but I wonder about where it is headed and if it's got the stuff for ageing. There is no question it is good right now though.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2011 - iar wrote: 95 Points
Drinking great. Lots of big red and black fruit, vanilla, etc. Drinking along side of a 1994 Caymus Cab, which tasted pretty good until we opened the Rivers Marie Cab. The Caumus then seemed too oaky and herbaceous. Gotta get me some more of this wine. Lots more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2011 - jnanz wrote: 92 Points
Cracked while we were sorting through the cellar. Powerful, full-bodied wine with ripe cassis, plum and blackberry fruit. Chocolatey / mocha oak rounds out the finish. Outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2011 - Uglypinga wrote:
Interestingly, this bottle was more closed than the previous two. Still chocolate, dark berries and cassis but everything seems to be dialed down. The palate is also muted a bit but the good thing is the mid palate is now in the same area as the rest of the mouthfull. Time to let these sit for a while.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2011 - Uglypinga wrote:
Coffee, chocolate and dark broodnig fruits on the nose. The palate is thick and creamy with black and blue berries wrapped ni a core of chocolate, tannins and oak. This bottle has a split second of a hollow mid palate but otherwise it was great. Similar fruit profile to Maybach but a little less of everything.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2011 - wallstreet wrote:
Very nice QPR. Wine is not a fruit bomb, its a bit more restrained. Opened with a youthful appearance of red fruit that rolled around in your mouth vs. punching you out like some of the fruit bombs (which i truly enjoy). I will pair this with rack of lamb next time. I think it's a very good wine for the price point and demonstrates value. The wine is young, but will improve over the next 5 to 7 years and gain complexity. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED A++
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2011 - etherscreen wrote:
this one seemed a bit on the ripe side, which is much different than the few other times i've tasted this. not quite the abomination the '07 lewelling wight was in the glass next to it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2011 - Wine Sparty wrote: 91 Points
Drank with strip steaks in green pepercorn sauce. Decanted and drank over a few hours. Aroma of plum and some coffee. Taste is very much plum and dark fruits. A bit hot at the end with some alcohol. Look forward to drinking my other three bottles years down the road.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/5/2011 - kthornton78 wrote: 93 Points
deep crimson purple. a little hot on the nose but nice notes of sweet dark fruits, a bit of menthol/mint, and a pleasant amount of vanilla. expect the heat to resolve with time. on the palate, balanced with nice acidity and smooth tannins. look forward to seeing this in another year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/5/2011 - S. Lorin wrote: 93 Points
huge bang for the buck and still a long way to go - considerable chocolate, mocha and dark fruit, concentrated and low acidity; drank too fast; so young, so good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/27/2011 - rdsboca wrote: 92 Points
Drak rich black fruit. Coffee, cocoa and black cherry oozing in the glass. Much more forward after a 30 minute decant. Really enjoyed this wine. More so than the last bottle. Instant gratification.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/26/2011 - Anthony Lombardi wrote: 90 Points
Decanted two hours. Deep purple color. Nose shows black currant, plums and some mocha. Full bodied and concentrated. Dark fruits- mainly black cherry dusted with cocoa. No apparent acidity, and big tannins frame the long, long finish. Cassis and tobacco linger around your mouth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/26/2011 - Seo wrote:
Needs time to settle down. A very big wine right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2011 - pkbackman wrote: 92 Points
Not really a food wine. Its big, fruit forward, with lots of toasted oak. I recommend at least an hour decant...maybe 2...and its really singing if you are looking for an absolutely delicious hedonistic Cab. The finish goes on and on. Firm tannins. Loved it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2011 - wineaux2 wrote: 92 Points
I had a much better experience this time around than with the first bottle I tried back in November. The wine was still chock full of dark currants, caramel chews and spice, though I also noted some eucalyptus. The palate was silky smooth. Seems to be evolving in a good direction. Even though this was undeniably a big, young Napa cab, it showed more harmony than before. While there are pleasures to be had now, it will be interesting to see how this one continues to evolve over time. 91-92 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2011 - RMundell Likes this wine: 93 Points
really nice. Going to be great in a few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2011 - deltacop wrote: 91 Points
I have a case, so i poped one open. I knew what I was in for based on the same thing I did last year with the 2007. These are really nice cabs that are going to be great with about 4-5 more years sideways. The tannins are to much right now for me to fully enjoy, but not to big to tell what this is like. These are an excellant follow up to the 2007 which I think I prefer at this point, but only by a little. I'm looking forward to 2015 and beyond when these should be perfct. Enjoy!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2011 - shaneajohnson wrote: 92 Points
Wow, this is a big, monstrous wine. Needs at least one hour of decant at this stage, and would benefit from more. Try again in 2014.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2011 - cubswinws wrote: 92 Points
Really, really big and dense. Not over the top but almost. So much more chunky than the 2007. Should be great but is going to need time. Would try again in 5 years. 92 points but with alot of upside.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2011 - ptelgenh wrote: 93 Points
This is a fantastic eponymous effort from the winemaker of Schrader. Huge fruit...blueberries and cinnamon with firm tannins. Rivals the big name, big priced cabernets. If you like massive wines, you can drink it now or for the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2011 - Meerlust wrote: 94 Points
Dark purple color. Initially the nose was a bit muted, but with air, the nose explodes into blackberry, sandlewood, and musk while notes of green tobacco emerged to add complexity. The palate is hedonistic and plush with ripe, dark fruit and a tremendously enjoyable spicy edge. Structurally, the tannins are so well managed that the wine has a spherical roundness to it, even though there is wonderful mid-palate depth. The finish is long and packed with fruit. Overall, this is a wine to savor for its wonderful fruit and spice, but it has enough structure to evlove effortlessly for 10 -15 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2011 - Dasher wrote: 95 Points
Yummy! I can't say enough about this bottle of wine. It is unreal. I wish I could get more and more, and more!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2011 - yui wrote: 90 Points
Nose was dead upon opening. An hour later typical Napa cab profile emerged. Better the next day. Open another in a few years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2011 - cbero wrote: 92 Points
Felt like drinking something really tasty at the risk of popping way to early. P&P and followed over 3 hours and overnight. It's deep, it's dark.... it was still a little tight and tannic though. I think it's got a great life ahead of it in about 4 years. It reminds me a bit of the 04 vintage. It has all the stuffing to really please in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2011 - rschoemehl wrote: 92 Points
Big juicy Napa style that outperforms it's price tag. Long seamless finish that goes on and on. It really does drink like a $100-$150 Napa cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/11/2011 - amateurwino wrote: 91 Points
This wine is very primary at this point. It shows considerable sweetness to the fruit and plenty of oak - resulting in coffee flavors and vanilla overtones. I do see a common thread that runs through this wine and the 06 and 07 versions, and I am hopeful that this will evolve as it sheds its baby fat and show the balance and subtle Bordeaux-like qualities that I admired in the 2006. It strikes me as sweeter but less dark-fruited and spicy than the 07 was. It's simply too early to know where this will go; for now, 91+, with considerable room for improvement.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2011 - bobpsi wrote: 91 Points
1-1/2 hr decant. Expressive nose of blackberry, plum and vanilla. Medium plus body of black raspberry, cherry, caramel, and chocolate. Plus finish with moderate tannins
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2011 - silton wrote:
Biggish cab with nothing jutting out right now. Thick more so than heavy, with full palate coverage and a nicely tapered finish. Neither blocky nor sublime. Rich but not jammy. 90+?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2011 - twelch wrote: 91 Points
This is in a much different place than the past two times I've had this. I think it is shutting down. I would not touch another one for some time. Right out of the bottle it had that classic Rivers-Marie nose. Dark fruit with some nice spices to it. It smelled "purple". After about 15 minutes this began to shut down hard and did not give much off. Move forward 3 hours and this started to come out of it's shell again and show some nice dark red/black fruit, chocolate, cocoa, oak and a fantastic dusty earthy tannin that I really enjoyed. Overall I think this is going to mature nicely but for today it's almost painfully young. If you open them now make sure you give a long decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2011 - pakabear wrote: 94 Points
Consistent notes from last time. Best QPR Cab in Cali.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2011 - Chrisinroch wrote:
A semi-big cali cab. Dark meaty not quite plummy fruit. Woody? medium tannic finish. Good, but needs time to mellow and knit together.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2010 - Uglypinga wrote:
Thick to even look at. A nose that permeates the kitchen. Dark fruits, chocolate, coffee. The palate is rich and and smooth with plums, cassis, chocolate and more coffee. Modern cab, big, thick and a solidly tannic finish. Needs some time for the tannins to die down but a delicious bottle and for the price, Im glad I bought more than usual.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2010 - haldolugr wrote: 90 Points
Agree with everyone else- young but tasting great - will be a knockout with some time. Couldn't imagine a better QPR for Napa cabs- with this flavor/profile. No wonder he knocked it out of the park with the right grapes - this is my first Rivers Marie but I will keep on buying based on this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2010 - rdsboca wrote: 91 Points
Black ink. Black fruit. Powerhouse. Plums and black cherry ooze out of the bottle into the decanter which is stained by the wine (no really). This wine has great vanilla, coffee, and cocoa nuances and a crazy tannic backbone. Just too early for this. Still yummy but wull be amazing later. Note to self, wait a year. Rated only 91 but expect much higher score when it is ready.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2010 - mmurry Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted about 2 1/2 hours. A massively rich and creamy nose that reminds me of dark black fruits soaked in heavy cream. And though there was a lot of that, there was also some cigar leaves and spice. I also got just a hint of earth at the end. The palate was very much like the nose. The tannins were pretty aggressive, but all the rich flavors made it fun to drink. This could be a killer wine after it settles down.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2010 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 93 Points
This is just delicious. My first RM Cab and I know it needs a few years, but this is flat out tasty. A bit of oak and plenty of tannins. Lots of fruit but everything is in proportion. Beautiful wine. Decanted for a couple of hours. Loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2010 - Dasher wrote: 95 Points
This wine is crazy good! Sorry I mean UNREAL. TBR hit this one out of the ball park for sure.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2010 - WetRock wrote:
California Vs Burgundy Blind (Frank Murray's Casa): Rich, dense, thick and chocolaty. Not my type of hype. Prototypical modern Napa Cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2010 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Burg Dinner (CA and France--Served Blind!) (Murray Casa): I pulled this at the end of the event, to go with the Dr Mrs chocolate cake. Cocoa on the nose, opulent. Seemed a bit less heavy than the 2007 version and we drank it down pretty fast. I liked it with the cake, as it leaned down the wine and the two together actually seemed like a nice complement to me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2010 - etherscreen wrote:
very primary, but very nice. tough to find a better qpr.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2010 - lsnider wrote: 94 Points
Pop & Pour. A little tight upon opening but still giving off some dark fruits with a dark cherry note along with some cedar, leather and vanilla. The oak is there and shows on the nose and palate. More fruits on the palate with a long finish. This wine is very young but still great.
2nd day - Fruit and finish is even better and the oak has intergrated and the wine is more balanced. Wish I had more than just a few more bottles and a mag. In my top 5 wines of the year with Spottswoode, The Madien and The Treat.94+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2010 - B Paul wrote:
Tasted at hunting camp out of plastic cup, so no formal score. Big, chocolatey nose with dark fruit. Very smooth and well-made. A bit sweet. Drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2010 - celtic67 wrote:
cassis, dark chocolate, oak on nose. smooth plums & mocha on the palate. excellent for the style, but it's not mine... too much sweet oak influence for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2010 - Will5304 wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for 4 hours -- wine really opened up with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2010 - *Vine* wrote:
Popped and poured. Dark, youthful purple/red hue. Expressive aromas of black fruits, blue fruits, red bean paste, vanilla bean, and a hint of spice. Medium-plus body. On the palate, this Cabernet delivers substantial fruit...think blackberry, blueberry, black currant, plum...quite the gamut, and complimented by additional notes of fresh herbs, spice from oak, and a touch of cedar. The tannins are large-scaled yet surprisingly smooth for such a young wine, and help to carry the fruit through on the lengthy finish. Really, this will only improve with time in the cellar...but man alive, if you have a nice stash it's absolutely worth popping the cork on a bottle to enjoy in it's youth, simply delicious juice!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2010 - t_moderne wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour and then followed over a 2 hour period. Initially, the nose was a bit coy and reticent. The wine shows a nice combination of plum, black cherry and basil and sage. A bit of herbs on the finish with gripping tannins. This needs time to show its full range. Will check in on this on the second day. On the second day (corked and left at room temperature), the wine shows continued strength and complexity. The herbal elements have faded a bit and the richness of the wine speaks up. Well made. Bumped up a point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2010 - wineaux2 wrote:
This cab featured more sweet than savory flavors; not really a style in my wheelhouse but an interesting try nonetheless. Popped and poured. The youth of the wine was apparent with noticeable wood on the palate along with red and black currants, caramel, baking spice and red licorice. On day 2, hints of tobacco were present but mostly drowned out by the sugary sweetness. Need to try again before rating.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2010 - Ki Punwar wrote: 93 Points
very young but good california cab, drinkable now with a little decanting...juicy and full of dark fruit, cassis, and oak. Want to see how this progresses with aging...it is wonderful now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2010 - pakabear wrote: 94 Points
Consistent Notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2010 - gblacave wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour. This is way too young and we probably should have decanted it, but it was a last minute decision and we couldn't resist opening one to get our first taste of R-M Cab. The youth is painfully obvious on the nose and was pretty restrained upon opening, but this is still showing a full bouquet of black plums, dark berries and cassis with touches of tobacco and cedar. As the wine got some air in the glass over about 3 hours, the nose opened a bit to include some baking spices, mocha notes and a more integrated fruit profile with ripe concentrated red and black fruits. It is, to my palate, a fruit-bomb of a nose, but in a pleasant, plush and in control way. On the palate, this is silky smooth but full of tannin at the same time. And similar to the nose, came out of the gate a little restrained, but opened nicely over the 3 or so hours. Well-integrated in every way, the tannin was matched by the robust, slightly jammy fruit. At first the finish was short and punctuated, but as the wine opened up it lengthened out nicely and by the end was lingering and complex. Rating is for now, but I see lots of upside potential for this and am looking forward to revisiting in 3-5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2010 - mdefreitas wrote: 93 Points
Opened about and hour before sampling. Dark red in color, with sweet cassis and plum aromatics. Dense and weighty, yet in balance with fine tannins. The oak noticable, manifesting itself with smoke hints, but not intrusive and I suspect will easily be absorbed by the high quality fruit. Ripe, but still lively and energetic on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/17/2010 - RMundell Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great dark fruit and tobacco, really smooth wine. Very young, will be awesome. A great TRB wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2010 - vanpe003 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Like others, I find this better (at least young) than the '07. A very complete wine with that strikes a very nice balance between fruit depth and finesse. Cassis and fairly smoky oak on the palate. Will check in later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2010 - OneLastSyrah Likes this wine: 93 Points
14.5% ABV. Opaque dark garnet in the glass. Youthful ripe currant, cedar, oak, and cassis nose. Medium-full bodied with rich, plush ripe currant with some secondary notes of tobacco and sweet oak. Youthful, but approachable. 92-93+?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2010 - J @ y H @ c k wrote:
I double decanted back into the bottle and then drank with Thanksgiving dinner 4-1/2 hours later because someone on WB said this was ready to drink. Wrong. I have had young Thomas Rivers Brown cabs and they were fiercely tannic and tight as a drum. This was not, but it still tastes too much of the wood treatment - vanilla and toasty oak, with not enough of the fruit and power that I enjoy from TRB wines. This needs to rest for a while - as in years - to allow the flavors to integrate and the fruit to emeger from hiding behind the oak. I have a second bottle that I also double decanted and that we did not reopen. We will open it tonight and see if the extended oxygenation changes anything.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/22/2010 - River Rat wrote:
This started singing at 2-1/2 hours and kept improving until I had to re-cork it for the night. Beautiful fruit, gobs of black, red and blue...great texture, silky smooth, loads of tannins that integrated a bit but are still very prominent, pencil lead, mocha... super long finish. Oh man this is good. My first Rivers-Marie Cab, what an experience.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2010 - pakabear wrote: 94 Points
Had out of bottle at the vineyard. This is a classic Napa cab, that transcends the previous vintage which I loved! Classic cassis flavors with medium red fruit and good structure that will last for a minimum 10 years. Surprised how well it was drinking this young. If you bought a lot I'd trial a bottle now, as it's very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2010 - John wrote: 87 Points
needs a few years. a very good wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2010 - tyvoodoo wrote: 92 Points
Opened at 4:30pm and double decanted. My goal was to follow this wine over the course of a few hours to see how it develops with air time. Wine was decanted at cellar temp and remained there over the course of the evening.
4:30pm: Immensely dark color, black core with a slight purple tinge on the edge. Nose is rather explosive right on the first pour, cedar box, cigar shavings, ground nutmeg all rolled with a heavy dose of black fruits. Under the first layer are hints of cool blue fruits, spicy oak and an interesting mineral note that reminds me of crushed limestone. Nice medium weight mouthfeel, great balance and concentration without being heavy. Midpalate is a touch thin and the spice/toasty oak is very noticeable on the finish with some poking tannins. Smashing mixture of blackberry and raspberry fruit on the palate will revisit in an hour or so.
6:00pm: Color and nose have softened up a bit. Crème de casis, melted red licorice, raspberry reduction sauce all with a perfume like scent. More nutmeg, baking spices and a touch of pepper all mesh together. Palate has gained some weight and fattened up a bit in the mid palate. A roundness and plush mouthfeel carry the fruit all the way with a nice juicy finish. Black cherry, pomegranate and blackberry blend together to create a gorgeous fruit profile all rolled with a touch of mocha and baking chocolate. Tannins are still a touch during and sharp on the back end but have softened a bit since opening.
7:30pm: Wine has fleshed out a bit more displaying a full and lush mid-palate and a long sticky finish. The firm tannins that were present on the finish have rounded out a bit and integrated with the wonderful fruit after 3 hours of air. This wine is the complete package stacked with plentiful fruit, great structure and ample acidity to prevent it from becoming too thick or cloying. I am really excited to see what this does with a few years of age on it.
I agree with the Rivers Marie team that this wine is better than the 2007. It just seems a bit more complete and built in a slightly leaner style than the 2007. I am really excited about this wine and can’t wait to follow it over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment