October 30, 2020 - Very oxidized. Purchased from RM upon release.
March 22, 2020 - No rating for this as it is clearly starting to oxidize. Still hanging on to the fruit but definitely notes of sherry and almond. Drink up
July 15, 2019 - Got to say, I enjoyed this a lot better than years ago when the acids were so high and, for me, out of balance. Delicious full-ish citrusy lemon. Seemed almost flat at first as I was expecting huge acid hit. But was pleasantly surprised. I’d recommend drinking now as it’s in a nice place.
June 17, 2018 - Oxidized. Still enjoyed but not the wine they intended. Hope yours are in better shape.
March 29, 2018 - Given I rated this a 93 in 2011 I'd say I should have drunk the second bottle about, oh, five years ago, since this was a remnant of its best days. It was still better Chardonnay than the vast majority of people drink, but I wouldn't take it to a CT Offline.
March 13, 2018 - Rotating Dinner Series: Rivers Marie (The Bristol - Chicago, IL): Tasted in a flight of 08/09/10 R-M Thieriot Chard. The fruit is more fresh than the '08. Nose has some matchstick, ripe apple and white cherry. The palate is more fresh, precise and lifted than the '08. Just enough cut to match the richness. This is almost unctuous but still bright and pulls it off.
March 13, 2018 - The Rotating Dinners, II.3: Rivers Marie 2008-2014 (Chicago, IL): I liked this much less than the 2008. While this seems to have many of the same hallmarks as the older wine, there isn't enough of the mineral and acid elements here to give this wine the cut it needs. Already on the nose this is fairly sweet, showing even a hint of caramel. I'm guessing this was also visited by some botrytis (something I personally dislike in chardonnay). The oak here isn't as well integrated either, showing a slight amount of bitterness and tannin on the back end.
July 18, 2017 - Definitely in the oxidized stage. Still get some of the lemon tartness it had in its youth, but it is by no means a keeper at this point. Drink if you have them, but do not wait any longer. Not a horrible bottle, but did not live up to expectations.
June 18, 2017 - much better than the last bottle, this has slight hints of oxidation, but in a positive way. light honey, tropical fruit (mango), yellow apple, ginger, nuttiness. this bottle was good, but still strongly suggest drinking up!
April 27, 2017 - gold color darker than expected for the age. nose shows honeyed papaya and ripe pear notes, with some sweet spice and brazil nut. palate shows butterscotch, pear. this definitely has some oxidation, but not offensive at this point. Still, will drink my last bottle ASAP.