Cloudy appearance. Very distinct nose dominated by earth and some strawberries mixed it. Low tannin. I understand it may not be for everyone , but I enjoyed it.
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Ripe red cherry and berry with baking spice galore showing a profile I'd have thought whole cluster, if I didn't know better. Lots of earth here as well, but this should continue to drink nicely for a few more years. Good weight.
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Pale garnet with a lot of sediment and cloudiness but not flawed. Pronounced nose of strawberries and hay. On the palate medium acidity low tannin, medium alcohol, medium body, pronounced intensity primary flavors of tart cherries and cranberries with some pepper and fennel and tertiary earthiness on the finish. Complex, and the intensity of the fruit comes through but the depth and structure is incomplete.
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Ripe cherry with baking spice so common to this vineyard. Good combination of fresh and dried fruit plus earth, providing lots of nuance. Best to enjoy over the next few years.
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Sean's Best Book Club Ever: Blind: immediately called out RM Summa but I went old vine. Sorry! Clearly looks and taste like it's an older wine. The key markers of stewed strawberry, soft tannins, and cloudy appearance. Tasty
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Only second time I have had this wine. Tasted blind on the first night, and then retested the following day to form the note that follows. On day 1, this pours cloudy, with some aromas of pine needle, some heat and celery stalk. The palate reflects some cherry (that seems a bit syrupy to me), brown sugar, tangy and a herbal note. On Day 2, I just don't care for the wine, as the balance isn't there. It finishes spicy and hot, with the tanginess, the herbal and the riper fruit clashing. I know some of the guys liked this wine last night but retasting it today, it just seems disjointed and given the flavors colliding, I don't see this getting better.
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nice evolving flavors, enough acidity for cut, I'm not sure as to whether it is going to get any better, it might lose energy. Just a bit hot, but it is alcohol we are drinking after all.
Very fruit forward but the fruit is leanjng towards past ripe stage. Paired with a sweet chicken sausage suffragan type dish and it was a great pairing. Drink I immediately or sooner
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Too burgundian for our taste. Not our style, too fruit punch/ roasted fruit for us, there are plenty of people who like. I have one more and I will probably have to let it go. Still alive and vibrant, if you like this style of RM than you should drink up
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Just dazzling aromas so much layering of raspberry, cherry, citrus peel, pine needle, and spice. Good concentration of ripe yet fresh fruit on the palate. Great length ... in a wonderful spot now.
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July 2018 Rivers-Marie Visit (At Mending Wall winery): Poured blind, in a flight of three which all turned out to be 2009 vintage. Still have one of these in the cellar and oddly, never have TN'd this wine. Not sure how this got through all the years and never have been tasted. Distinctive aromatic, with some ripeness and heat. Tangy, roasted fruit quality, a little metallic, dark fruit and good acid. My sense is that I will open this in a few years and use it blind, as Will did for us today.
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Opened by Lostverse as part of a 3 bottle Rivers Marie single vineyard horizontal. Dark crimson. Smoother texture than the other 2 bottles and my favorite. Medium to full bodied. Solid tannins. Notes of red currants, herbs and plums. Long finish. 92-93 points.
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PnP. Medium red. Intense nose of red fruit blood orange and spice. Very Summa. Medium weight on the palate, red fruits, some slight bitterness from the whole clusters, and spice, with a long finish. The spiciness really prolongs the finish. Drinking very well at age 7 but the intensity of fruit suggests it will live for quite a while. Very nice wine.
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13.8% alcohol. Black cherry color, getting notably lighter at the edge of the glass. The nose has really opened up over time, with soaring black cherry, blackberry, and raspberry notes, along with that unique hint of orange that I find in Rivers Marie Pinots. In the mouth, refined, sumptuous, and very pleasing in texture. The fruit delivers a tangy punch, and there is an earthy pitch behind the acidity and into the finish. Drinking very well but easily will last another 5-7 years. A-
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OK for what it is, but frankly just too sweet for my palate. While not overextracted or heavy handed, the wine is definitely about candied fruit especially on the palate. The inclusion of stems likely added the complicating vegetal notes that kept the wine from being unidimensional on the nose, but the package as a whole just didn't quite work.
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Great setup. Really great nose. Strawberry and Cherries really come through. But earthy/forest notes comes through on the palate. Good long finish that lingers. 1 of the best pinots of California!
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Nose of cranberry, tart raspberry, and pomegranate. Surprised by both the gummy sediment around the cork base and inside of the bottle neck, and the initial cloudy nature of the fluid. Decanted for one hour, poured back in the bottle (where sauerkraut seemed to rear it's ugly head), and taken to the restaurant. Here's where the sauerkraut blew up and made it obvious the wine was flawed.
Luckily, another couple brought a 2014 Summa Vineyard that was very nice.
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Throwing quite a bit of sediment, so decanted for about thirty minutes before dinner. Showing a tiny bit of bricking, but clear ruby for the most part. Nose of red fruit, tea and cranberry. Palate follows with orange zest and cranberry. This becomes very tart after an hour or so. Medium finish. 92+.
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This is drinking fantastically. Wonderful balance between acid and fruit. It was a star at the table with a quick decant and back into the bottle to take to the restaurant.
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Nose very understated, immediate palate acid, simple palate with domination by acid and alcohol. nice PN tannins though overcome by acid. Maybe will cellar improve in 5 to 7 years.
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An outstanding and well matured Sonoma coast pinot from a master winemaker - drinking very very well right now, probably no further upside / improvement to further cellaring. Too expensive to be a good QPR wine and very limited mailing list type availability. Definitely recommend an hour in the decanter. Deep red, minimal peripheral bricking, soft mouth feel, full bodied, lovely long lingering aftertaste, fruit forward but not overpoweringly so, not acidic at all and very well balanced. Warm aromatic and almost floral nose of strawberry, raspberry and red cherry with a hint of vanilla and a more structured somewhat leaner flavor profile of warm cooking spices, red berries, red fruit and a hint of black pepper on the late palate.,Definitely not Burgundian in style and not even Oregonian but much softer and more elegant then many CA pinots (the coastal climate really comes through) - the example that immediately comes to mind being Kosta Browne. Highly recommend this wine - this is for lovers of elegant and high end new world pinots.
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Oh, this was good. Best CA Pinot I've had in some time. Tended toward the red fruit end of the spectrum, lithe and layered. Strawberry notes, some rust and rose petal. Deftly balanced, a thinking man's pinot as there's a ton of different flavors and notes. Drinking very well now but I bet could continue to open and change over the coming 5-10 yrs. I'll sit on my old vines version for a while longer.
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This was a WAY bigger pinot than I would normally drink, we really needed a comfort wine after a crappy day. worked well for me today. Really enjoyable...
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Deep ruby color in the glass. Fruit forward, red fruits, hint of orange. Good balance, but more round with acid in the background. Easy to like, but not overly complex. Seems like it won't get any better so drink up.
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A home run in American Pinot. This has such a concentrated but fresh profile of cherry, strawberry rhubarb pie and some raspberries. It finishes with a healthy does of sweet allspice. Sweet tannins throughout the taste. That spice lasts a while as well. Also, this has an incredible nose. This will never be mistaken for Burgundy and why should it. But if one wanted to try and make a comparison, I would say a 1er Cru Pommard. Very fine juice and most impressed.
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Pretty nose filled with red fruit and some spice. Flavors of ripe strawberry, red berries and apple juice were supported by good acidity / structure. The bright fruit and silky texture left the wine feeling medium weight. Secondary spicy aromatic notes were in the background, but this didn't stick around long enough for them to really emerge. This was excellent and really surprised me.
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End o' Summer Roundup - 2015: Beefier and more concentrated than some other R-Ms I've enjoyed over the years, but it made quite an impression, especially on folks who usually drink grocery-level pinots. Rich flavors of blackberry and raspberry with crushed rocks on the finish. Well balanced.
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Pretty similar taste profile to last bottle (soft tart red fruits, blood orange a little spice on the finish) but just not as wowed for whatever reason this time. Enjoyable but not remarkable.
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Classic burnt orange peel and some cherries on the nose. The palate is a bit subdued but it carries some decent acidity and fair fruit and spices. I like it. I wish it had been a bit more vibrant.
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PnP. Medium red, very long "legs" in the glass. Fascinating nose of cranberry, blood orange, and an herbal, mahogany scent. Lovely smooth texture on the palate but with a crunchy red apple and orange taste. Tannins largely resolved but very good grip and acidity on the finish. This is very distinctive. Can't wait to taste the Old Vines.
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Warming orange peel nose. Like a very light grand merrier. A little smoke and even some tobacco. The palate is bright with crunchy berries and some more orange peel. Great acidity that lingers through the long finish.
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I am beginning to think these RM '10s are the best in the last few years, as all have been outstanding. This Summa is no exception and delivered all of the usual characteristics I look for and expect from this site/bottling. I'll try to be patient and hold onto my remaining bottles for a few years, as they will undoubtedly continue to improve, but it is hard when they taste this good young.
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Nose is very inviting with bright cherry and raspberry. Silky smooth in the mouth and not a great deal of acid. Finish is short to medium. This was a great wine with grilled salmon. Is it layers of discovery at this point...no. Mostly primary red fruits but so smooth and delicious. Very good!!
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Pretty, dark California pinot garnet. Delicious, strenuous, masculine aromas of cola and pine. Sweet, pure palate and a long, clean finish. Very nice pinot, with terrior and energy, but a little one-dimensional today. Could become more special with time.
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Sour cherry with a touch of floral spice. Good flavor but it doesn't hold up all the way through the finish. Acid dominates but not in a bad way. Very tasty just left me wanting a little more.
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(A) Too good for such a young wine. Amazing nose with tons of wet earth, wild strawberries, fermented soy, and tingling spices. Palate initially misses the side palate, but with air becomes more full. Tart red fruits, a wonderful wild vine element, and a fantastic finish that is sure to get better. Hold.
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Super fragrant nose of sour strawberries, Asian tea and cranberry. A very intense delivery on this as the palate shows dried and sour fruits of strawberries, dried red currant and pomegranate. A very lively mouth-feel with so much going on. I get hints of cedar, rubbed tea leaf and spring flowers. Tannins are large but behaved and acidity is just right to carry it all to the crescendo, and what a crescendo it is: focused, boisterous and playful all while remaining as serious as a heart attack. Long finish and I am gonna need……more.
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Lots of cranberry on the nose, along with some cherry underneath. Behind that is some spice, a little barnyard, and some fresh floral notes at the end. A nice cranberry and cherry juice mix on the palate, plus some forest floor and spice. It finishes with some stone flavors.
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Opened at cool room temp. Pop n pour. Killing a baby, but checking on how this is like young. Muted nose. Has elements of that lean, but at the same time lush fruit that I've come to expect from Rivers Marie pinots. Some elements of pepper spice. After vigorous swirling some elements of wood (not oak) and a bit of fresh dirt. In the mouth there is soft acids, and just a hint of tannins, but everything is so primary and straight forward. Finish is long with some acidic structure. Even though young, I was expecting just something a bit more in the mouth to hint at what it would be like after some years. The quality is evident here, but previous vintages have been better.
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Stupid, and ridiculously early, but it was handy and I was too lazy to go down to the cellar to pull something more appropriate. On the nose, an interesting interplay between a sour pinot character and an uplifting mint/spice note. More of the same on the palate. Quite primary right now, but excellent raw materials and nicely balanced. Relatively long finish. One bottle left, and I'll probably try to hold it for 4-5 years.
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Rivers Marie Summa Old Vines Vertical (Elks Tower Penthouse, Sacramento, CA): 10% whole cluster. Expressive nose, very herbal with leafy and stemmy notes. Fresh with lengthy acids. Lean and a bit bitter at the finish. Cranberry and greenish notes. The stem inclusion was quite noticeable but not overpowering. There is a ton of fruit to soak it up either. I imagine as they mellow this will be very nice.
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7/3/2023 - pjhr Likes this wine: 94 Points
As delicious as the last bottle!
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6/23/2022 - davudvl wrote: 92 Points
Cloudy appearance. Very distinct nose dominated by earth and some strawberries mixed it. Low tannin. I understand it may not be for everyone , but I enjoyed it.
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1/18/2022 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Ripe red cherry and berry with baking spice galore showing a profile I'd have thought whole cluster, if I didn't know better. Lots of earth here as well, but this should continue to drink nicely for a few more years. Good weight.
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12/17/2021 - ben7210 wrote: 91 Points
Pale garnet with a lot of sediment and cloudiness but not flawed. Pronounced nose of strawberries and hay. On the palate medium acidity low tannin, medium alcohol, medium body, pronounced intensity primary flavors of tart cherries and cranberries with some pepper and fennel and tertiary earthiness on the finish. Complex, and the intensity of the fruit comes through but the depth and structure is incomplete.
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3/27/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Ripe cherry with baking spice so common to this vineyard. Good combination of fresh and dried fruit plus earth, providing lots of nuance. Best to enjoy over the next few years.
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3/26/2021 - brigcampbell wrote:
Sean's Best Book Club Ever: Blind: immediately called out RM Summa but I went old vine. Sorry! Clearly looks and taste like it's an older wine. The key markers of stewed strawberry, soft tannins, and cloudy appearance. Tasty
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3/24/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Only second time I have had this wine. Tasted blind on the first night, and then retested the following day to form the note that follows. On day 1, this pours cloudy, with some aromas of pine needle, some heat and celery stalk. The palate reflects some cherry (that seems a bit syrupy to me), brown sugar, tangy and a herbal note. On Day 2, I just don't care for the wine, as the balance isn't there. It finishes spicy and hot, with the tanginess, the herbal and the riper fruit clashing. I know some of the guys liked this wine last night but retasting it today, it just seems disjointed and given the flavors colliding, I don't see this getting better.
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2/26/2021 - thalver wrote:
nice evolving flavors, enough acidity for cut, I'm not sure as to whether it is going to get any better, it might lose energy. Just a bit hot, but it is alcohol we are drinking after all.
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11/22/2020 - jfkwines wrote:
Very fruit forward but the fruit is leanjng towards past ripe stage. Paired with a sweet chicken sausage suffragan type dish and it was a great pairing. Drink I immediately or sooner
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4/20/2020 - jfkwines wrote: 88 Points
Too burgundian for our taste. Not our style, too fruit punch/ roasted fruit for us, there are plenty of people who like. I have one more and I will probably have to let it go. Still alive and vibrant, if you like this style of RM than you should drink up
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2/16/2020 - Nanda wrote:
Just dazzling aromas so much layering of raspberry, cherry, citrus peel, pine needle, and spice. Good concentration of ripe yet fresh fruit on the palate. Great length ... in a wonderful spot now.
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1/22/2020 - Jdwinedrinker Likes this wine:
Delicious wine - one of the best pinots i have had. Cheers
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10/6/2019 - shapida wrote:
Fantastic! Glad I let this one age.
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7/26/2018 - Frank Murray III wrote:
July 2018 Rivers-Marie Visit (At Mending Wall winery): Poured blind, in a flight of three which all turned out to be 2009 vintage. Still have one of these in the cellar and oddly, never have TN'd this wine. Not sure how this got through all the years and never have been tasted. Distinctive aromatic, with some ripeness and heat. Tangy, roasted fruit quality, a little metallic, dark fruit and good acid. My sense is that I will open this in a few years and use it blind, as Will did for us today.
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11/24/2017 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
Opened by Lostverse as part of a 3 bottle Rivers Marie single vineyard horizontal. Dark crimson. Smoother texture than the other 2 bottles and my favorite. Medium to full bodied. Solid tannins. Notes of red currants, herbs and plums. Long finish. 92-93 points.
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11/11/2017 - Winodude1234 Does not like this wine: flawed
Oxidized
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10/2/2017 - rosenst1 wrote: 93 Points
PnP. Medium red. Intense nose of red fruit blood orange and spice. Very Summa. Medium weight on the palate, red fruits, some slight bitterness from the whole clusters, and spice, with a long finish. The spiciness really prolongs the finish. Drinking very well at age 7 but the intensity of fruit suggests it will live for quite a while. Very nice wine.
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9/15/2017 - gutt22 Likes this wine:
13.8% alcohol. Black cherry color, getting notably lighter at the edge of the glass. The nose has really opened up over time, with soaring black cherry, blackberry, and raspberry notes, along with that unique hint of orange that I find in Rivers Marie Pinots. In the mouth, refined, sumptuous, and very pleasing in texture. The fruit delivers a tangy punch, and there is an earthy pitch behind the acidity and into the finish. Drinking very well but easily will last another 5-7 years. A-
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7/28/2017 - Ben F Does not like this wine: 82 Points
OK for what it is, but frankly just too sweet for my palate. While not overextracted or heavy handed, the wine is definitely about candied fruit especially on the palate. The inclusion of stems likely added the complicating vegetal notes that kept the wine from being unidimensional on the nose, but the package as a whole just didn't quite work.
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7/9/2017 - kkdlam wrote:
Great setup. Really great nose. Strawberry and Cherries really come through. But earthy/forest notes comes through on the palate. Good long finish that lingers. 1 of the best pinots of California!
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6/4/2017 - ageverett wrote: flawed
Corked - bummer
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5/20/2017 - pjhr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely pinot! Wonderful sour red cherries, floral, and earthy notes on the nose and palate with hints of orange with a long lingering sappy finish.
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1/23/2017 - CranBurgundy wrote: flawed
Nose of cranberry, tart raspberry, and pomegranate. Surprised by both the gummy sediment around the cork base and inside of the bottle neck, and the initial cloudy nature of the fluid. Decanted for one hour, poured back in the bottle (where sauerkraut seemed to rear it's ugly head), and taken to the restaurant. Here's where the sauerkraut blew up and made it obvious the wine was flawed.
Luckily, another couple brought a 2014 Summa Vineyard that was very nice.
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12/28/2016 - thelostverse wrote: 92 Points
Throwing quite a bit of sediment, so decanted for about thirty minutes before dinner. Showing a tiny bit of bricking, but clear ruby for the most part. Nose of red fruit, tea and cranberry. Palate follows with orange zest and cranberry. This becomes very tart after an hour or so. Medium finish. 92+.
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12/21/2016 - Acohen Likes this wine: 91 Points
Orange peel on the nose and nice red cherry with medium body, good finish and lots of earthy notes
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12/19/2016 - Grape_ape Likes this wine:
Good, but pretty big/ripe still and a bit monolithic...
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11/23/2016 - jwebtx wrote:
This is drinking fantastically. Wonderful balance between acid and fruit. It was a star at the table with a quick decant and back into the bottle to take to the restaurant.
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9/28/2016 - shaferguy91 wrote: 90 Points
No decant.
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8/7/2016 - Tom Pavlovic wrote: 89 Points
Nose very understated, immediate palate acid, simple palate with domination by acid and alcohol. nice PN tannins though overcome by acid. Maybe will cellar improve in 5 to 7 years.
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7/14/2016 - ikkaariainen Likes this wine: 93 Points
An outstanding and well matured Sonoma coast pinot from a master winemaker - drinking very very well right now, probably no further upside / improvement to further cellaring. Too expensive to be a good QPR wine and very limited mailing list type availability. Definitely recommend an hour in the decanter. Deep red, minimal peripheral bricking, soft mouth feel, full bodied, lovely long lingering aftertaste, fruit forward but not overpoweringly so, not acidic at all and very well balanced. Warm aromatic and almost floral nose of strawberry, raspberry and red cherry with a hint of vanilla and a more structured somewhat leaner flavor profile of warm cooking spices, red berries, red fruit and a hint of black pepper on the late palate.,Definitely not Burgundian in style and not even Oregonian but much softer and more elegant then many CA pinots (the coastal climate really comes through) - the example that immediately comes to mind being Kosta Browne. Highly recommend this wine - this is for lovers of elegant and high end new world pinots.
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7/9/2016 - btock Likes this wine: 96 Points
Oh, this was good. Best CA Pinot I've had in some time. Tended toward the red fruit end of the spectrum, lithe and layered. Strawberry notes, some rust and rose petal. Deftly balanced, a thinking man's pinot as there's a ton of different flavors and notes. Drinking very well now but I bet could continue to open and change over the coming 5-10 yrs. I'll sit on my old vines version for a while longer.
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5/29/2016 - Al Ehrhardt wrote:
This was a WAY bigger pinot than I would normally drink, we really needed a comfort wine after a crappy day. worked well for me today. Really enjoyable...
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1/10/2016 - toddjerry wrote: 91 Points
Deep ruby color in the glass. Fruit forward, red fruits, hint of orange. Good balance, but more round with acid in the background. Easy to like, but not overly complex. Seems like it won't get any better so drink up.
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11/15/2015 - lolo66 wrote: 95 Points
A home run in American Pinot. This has such a concentrated but fresh profile of cherry, strawberry rhubarb pie and some raspberries. It finishes with a healthy does of sweet allspice. Sweet tannins throughout the taste. That spice lasts a while as well. Also, this has an incredible nose. This will never be mistaken for Burgundy and why should it. But if one wanted to try and make a comparison, I would say a 1er Cru Pommard. Very fine juice and most impressed.
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10/11/2015 - jnanz Likes this wine:
Pretty nose filled with red fruit and some spice. Flavors of ripe strawberry, red berries and apple juice were supported by good acidity / structure. The bright fruit and silky texture left the wine feeling medium weight. Secondary spicy aromatic notes were in the background, but this didn't stick around long enough for them to really emerge. This was excellent and really surprised me.
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9/1/2015 - pgb67 wrote: 94 Points
End o' Summer Roundup - 2015: Beefier and more concentrated than some other R-Ms I've enjoyed over the years, but it made quite an impression, especially on folks who usually drink grocery-level pinots. Rich flavors of blackberry and raspberry with crushed rocks on the finish. Well balanced.
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8/3/2015 - johnh1001 wrote: 93 Points
very sweet and ripe nose of red and blue fruit. Very sweet with a syrupy texture on the palate. Exuberant.
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5/22/2015 - Bellissimo wrote:
Pretty similar taste profile to last bottle (soft tart red fruits, blood orange a little spice on the finish) but just not as wowed for whatever reason this time. Enjoyable but not remarkable.
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4/2/2015 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
Classic burnt orange peel and some cherries on the nose. The palate is a bit subdued but it carries some decent acidity and fair fruit and spices. I like it. I wish it had been a bit more vibrant.
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1/20/2015 - rosenst1 wrote: 93 Points
PnP. Medium red, very long "legs" in the glass. Fascinating nose of cranberry, blood orange, and an herbal, mahogany scent. Lovely smooth texture on the palate but with a crunchy red apple and orange taste. Tannins largely resolved but very good grip and acidity on the finish. This is very distinctive. Can't wait to taste the Old Vines.
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1/18/2015 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
Warming orange peel nose. Like a very light grand merrier. A little smoke and even some tobacco. The palate is bright with crunchy berries and some more orange peel. Great acidity that lingers through the long finish.
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1/17/2015 - rjoyer wrote:
I am beginning to think these RM '10s are the best in the last few years, as all have been outstanding. This Summa is no exception and delivered all of the usual characteristics I look for and expect from this site/bottling. I'll try to be patient and hold onto my remaining bottles for a few years, as they will undoubtedly continue to improve, but it is hard when they taste this good young.
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1/14/2015 - shaferguy91 wrote: 91 Points
No decant. Very enjoyable.
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11/21/2014 - J @ y H @ c k wrote: 91 Points
Outstanding. No formal note.
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10/25/2014 - Bellissimo wrote:
Soft tart fruit (cranberry, rhubarb, raspberry), silky texture, nice acids.
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3/23/2014 - CMCLR wrote: 92 Points
Better than the Marcassin
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3/2/2014 - fdub Likes this wine: 91 Points
In a nice place now. Not a significant step up in quality however from the SC bottling but double the price. Fruit is a bit sappy.
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12/31/2013 - Sauvyfan wrote: 91 Points
Perfumed nose of red berries, and spiced cola. Murky, with quite a bit of sediment. Lovely flavor, both in taste and depth. Nice acidity.
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12/15/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 89 Points
Rich with a tannic edge. Needs a bit more age.
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11/17/2013 - Jbird73 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose is very inviting with bright cherry and raspberry. Silky smooth in the mouth and not a great deal of acid. Finish is short to medium. This was a great wine with grilled salmon. Is it layers of discovery at this point...no. Mostly primary red fruits but so smooth and delicious. Very good!!
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9/18/2013 - leadpencil wrote: 84 Points
Cheerwine
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9/15/2013 - mzimberg Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pretty, dark California pinot garnet. Delicious, strenuous, masculine aromas of cola and pine. Sweet, pure palate and a long, clean finish. Very nice pinot, with terrior and energy, but a little one-dimensional today. Could become more special with time.
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9/10/2013 - haldolugr wrote: 89 Points
Cherry fruit with a racy acid cola core. Light in body with a solid finish.
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8/17/2013 - brianofthevine wrote: 90 Points
Tart red cherry and spice. Good acidity, nice finish.
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8/7/2013 - VinoDiver Likes this wine: 93 Points
Balanced red fruit and acidity that is drinking very well right now.
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1/19/2013 - haldolugr wrote: 88 Points
Sour cherry with a touch of floral spice. Good flavor but it doesn't hold up all the way through the finish. Acid dominates but not in a bad way. Very tasty just left me wanting a little more.
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1/12/2013 - jwsmith wrote: 93 Points
Really nice rich mushroom flavors like Nuit St George
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11/4/2012 - jmull wrote: 93 Points
Awesome. Fascinating savory tomato aspect complementing orange zest and red fruit notes. Loved it.
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8/26/2012 - pinkfloyd wrote: 96 Points
wow ! Better the second day. Will wait 18mo. to open next bottle.
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8/6/2012 - prettydeceextrap wrote: 95 Points
(A) Too good for such a young wine. Amazing nose with tons of wet earth, wild strawberries, fermented soy, and tingling spices. Palate initially misses the side palate, but with air becomes more full. Tart red fruits, a wonderful wild vine element, and a fantastic finish that is sure to get better. Hold.
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8/4/2012 - King Cab wrote: 93 Points
Super fragrant nose of sour strawberries, Asian tea and cranberry. A very intense delivery on this as the palate shows dried and sour fruits of strawberries, dried red currant and pomegranate. A very lively mouth-feel with so much going on. I get hints of cedar, rubbed tea leaf and spring flowers. Tannins are large but behaved and acidity is just right to carry it all to the crescendo, and what a crescendo it is: focused, boisterous and playful all while remaining as serious as a heart attack. Long finish and I am gonna need……more.
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7/29/2012 - cartime wrote: 90 Points
A well-made Sonoma Coast Pinot with cherry and cranberry fruit, floral spices, and great acidity. Best on Day 2.
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7/23/2012 - mmurry Likes this wine: 89 Points
Lots of cranberry on the nose, along with some cherry underneath. Behind that is some spice, a little barnyard, and some fresh floral notes at the end. A nice cranberry and cherry juice mix on the palate, plus some forest floor and spice. It finishes with some stone flavors.
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3/15/2012 - jakuda wrote:
Opened at cool room temp. Pop n pour. Killing a baby, but checking on how this is like young. Muted nose. Has elements of that lean, but at the same time lush fruit that I've come to expect from Rivers Marie pinots. Some elements of pepper spice. After vigorous swirling some elements of wood (not oak) and a bit of fresh dirt. In the mouth there is soft acids, and just a hint of tannins, but everything is so primary and straight forward. Finish is long with some acidic structure. Even though young, I was expecting just something a bit more in the mouth to hint at what it would be like after some years. The quality is evident here, but previous vintages have been better.
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3/5/2012 - vanpe003 wrote: 92 Points
Stupid, and ridiculously early, but it was handy and I was too lazy to go down to the cellar to pull something more appropriate. On the nose, an interesting interplay between a sour pinot character and an uplifting mint/spice note. More of the same on the palate. Quite primary right now, but excellent raw materials and nicely balanced. Relatively long finish. One bottle left, and I'll probably try to hold it for 4-5 years.
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1/21/2012 - WetRock wrote:
Rivers Marie Summa Old Vines Vertical (Elks Tower Penthouse, Sacramento, CA): 10% whole cluster. Expressive nose, very herbal with leafy and stemmy notes. Fresh with lengthy acids. Lean and a bit bitter at the finish. Cranberry and greenish notes. The stem inclusion was quite noticeable but not overpowering. There is a ton of fruit to soak it up either. I imagine as they mellow this will be very nice.
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