This wine has put on some weight since the last tasting. Lemon, apple lead the way. Wonderful spice notes sing backup. The well integrated oak ties everything together in harmony. Great depth and texture. A nice vein of acidity puts a nice finish on this lovely Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Great juice.
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Tropical fruit notes are complimented by spice notes from the well integrated oak. Good depth and texture. There is a slight touch of river rock with a light vein of acidity on the finish. Very enjoyable, but not to the level of the 2013. Good juice.
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Courtesy of tlv. Apple, something a bit tropical, along with florals and lemon blossom notes. Very pretty. Medium-bodied with flavors of orchard fruit and melon with a little spice on the back end.
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This is a very big Chardonnay with flavors of orange peel, vanilla, white flowers, and oak on the nose. Good acidity, but note quite enough to balance out the bold flavors of orchard fruit, butter, and grapefruit. Medium finish. This is not my style and although well made, I wouldn’t open or buy again.
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appearance: medium golden yellow aromas: lemon zest, Golden Delicious apple, jasmine, gun flint palate: citrus, crushed rocks structure: medium body, dry, racy acidity, 13.8% ABV winemaking: cool climate vineyard close to the coast, planted in 1990, 20% new French oak
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PnP. Medium gold. Nose of tropical fruits, peach and pear. Intense on the palate with fruit driven flavors but not at all cloying, as the acidity is good but not out of balance. This seems to be quite typical Thieriot based on previous Littorai bottles. Still young and I think this will get better with 2-4 years more time. Likely better tomorrow.
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Lip-smacking acidity. One of the freshest and most acid-driven CA chards I have had in a while. An explosion of green apple, and above all citrus, and hints of tropical fruit. Perhaps it is a bit disjointed, with the acid stikcing out a tad much, but still very enjoyable. If I had more, I would revisit in 2020. Very enjoyable - although not sure a good value.
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Had my first bottle 18 months ago and this has mellowed into a great wine. No longer dominated by citrus and no hint of oak or butter. Mineral driven with some black pepper and maybe some white fruit. Only question is, is it worth $57? Let your wallet decide.
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Really great straight out of the bottle. I got an almost tropical note in addition to the tart green apple and some lemon. This bottle went so quick we didn't get to the 2nd hour...heck....not even the end of one hour. Very good stuff!!
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July 2018 Rivers-Marie Visit (At Mending Wall winery): Poured blind as part of a 3 wine flight of RM whites. We did not know the wines but given the portfolio, we knew we had to be in Chardonnay land. Aromatics of white pepper, broad texture, spicy with green apple, flint, light lemon and the same spicy finish of the 2010 we had next to it.
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Very enjoyable California Chardonnay done in a cool, fresh, old world style. Powerful apple and citrus aroma and with time in the glass an oyster shell, sea salt minerality. Smooth and silky. Not the most complex wine but perfect for a summer apero (no decant needed but I would advise to follow it over one or two hours to experience the emerging saltiness).
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I wanted to pop the 2013 but had it in my offsite. Popped this at cellar temp and double decanted to wake it up. Beautiful golden color. A nose summed up well by my 3 year old as “everything”. Topical and peachy fruits with a lot of lychee, spring flowers, baking spices, freshly baked muffins. Great texture underneath white tea, lemon curd, and vanilla. Long and lingering finish with racy acid. I did expect a little more butter and roundness but this was beautiful nonetheless.
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I had hoped that this would round out in the nine months since I tasted it last (93 points - 5/17), but this still tastes the same, if not a little faded - dense, tight, and angular. Light yellow in color, medium in body, nose of lemon and saline, with a hint of hazelnut now. A little rounder - and more simple - tastes of grapefruit, green apple, and almond, with a tight finish that has a bit of an oily mouthfeel. 13.8% alcohol. Maybe this needs more time, maybe it just is what it is - and, if that's the case, this is a quality wine, but it's not very exciting.
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Probably should have waited longer on this to see where it sits in a year or two. Alas, I was thirsty. This was plenty nice and consistent with prior experience. But all agreed that the Realm Fidelio was the star white this night.
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PNP, then consumed over two hours. As others have noted, unusual California Chardonnay. Based on color and nose, I would have guessed White Burgundy. Light color and medium body for a Chardonnay. Strong tastes of citrus and grapefruit, with minerals, hints of oak and vanilla. Has a certain Sauvignon Blanc quality to it. This is a nice wine, but it's also not what I expect from a California Chardonnay. Paired this with a cream based pasta dish that should have been perfect match and yet it was just so-so pairing. Enjoyed the wine but not sure how to rate or score.
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I love Rivers-Marie Pinots (and am a big fan of TRB, as my cellar can attest to), but I really was not into this. Too much citrus for my taste and somewhat light bodied. I won't rate.
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An energetic yet tight Chardonnay that should be fantastic in another year or two. Light yellow in color, medium in body, nose of lemon and saline. Tastes of grapefruit, green apple, lemon meringue, and almond, with a lovely finish. 13.8% alcohol. There is a lot of density and energy here, but it doesn't quite unfold, even after a few hours of air. I'm going to wait until 2018 for my other bottle, when I expect this will start to realize its potential.
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This is my first Rivers-Marie wine and pretty far outside my normal price range so I think I will not rate the wine--maybe for the first time on CT. Lots of crisp acid and citrus but far different from any chard I have tasted--not sure what to make of it. Have one more bottle and think I will let it lie for a few years.
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Grabbed this blind out of my cellar at the start of the Dubs smackdown of the Clips and OMFG this is great. Crisp and acidic, balanced with apple and pear, just dances on the palate. Wonderful. (So are the Dubs).
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3/21/2022 - norzano Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very Burgundian and full bodied. Floral and mineral on the nose. Lemon, orange zest, apricot on the palate. Really excellent as always
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1/30/2022 - Oldmanzin Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine has put on some weight since the last tasting. Lemon, apple lead the way. Wonderful spice notes sing backup. The well integrated oak ties everything together in harmony. Great depth and texture. A nice vein of acidity puts a nice finish on this lovely Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Great juice.
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8/30/2021 - Oldmanzin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tropical fruit notes are complimented by spice notes from the well integrated oak. Good depth and texture. There is a slight touch of river rock with a light vein of acidity on the finish. Very enjoyable, but not to the level of the 2013. Good juice.
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1/22/2021 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Courtesy of tlv. Apple, something a bit tropical, along with florals and lemon blossom notes. Very pretty. Medium-bodied with flavors of orchard fruit and melon with a little spice on the back end.
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3/8/2020 - BayAreaWildcat wrote:
slightly full rich style. creamy. med acidity. not a good match for seafood. probably chicken would be better.
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2/22/2020 - glou.sf wrote:
This is a very big Chardonnay with flavors of orange peel, vanilla, white flowers, and oak on the nose. Good acidity, but note quite enough to balance out the bold flavors of orchard fruit, butter, and grapefruit. Medium finish. This is not my style and although well made, I wouldn’t open or buy again.
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2/10/2020 - Acohen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lots of tropical rich flavors and lemony citrus
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8/17/2019 - Beezc Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big, flashy, tropical wine. Notes of orange peel, mango, pear and pineapple.
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5/18/2019 - wineguy1968 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lemon zest, touch of grapefruit medium plus finish. Very nice.
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4/27/2019 - Nanda wrote: 91 Points
Rich and ripe with sweet orchard and tropical fruit. Terrific concentration with good balancing cut.
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4/21/2019 - ashikoh Likes this wine: 93 Points
appearance: medium golden yellow
aromas: lemon zest, Golden Delicious apple, jasmine, gun flint
palate: citrus, crushed rocks
structure: medium body, dry, racy acidity, 13.8% ABV
winemaking: cool climate vineyard close to the coast, planted in 1990, 20% new French oak
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4/6/2019 - yaCellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not as great as I remember. Perhaps going through a little dumb phase. Air did help.
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12/24/2018 - rosenst1 wrote: 92 Points
PnP. Medium gold. Nose of tropical fruits, peach and pear. Intense on the palate with fruit driven flavors but not at all cloying, as the acidity is good but not out of balance. This seems to be quite typical Thieriot based on previous Littorai bottles. Still young and I think this will get better with 2-4 years more time. Likely better tomorrow.
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11/22/2018 - WineGold wrote: 92 Points
More tropical than citrusy. Medium sweet. In good balance. Ready to go.
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10/3/2018 - bravo.solares Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lip-smacking acidity. One of the freshest and most acid-driven CA chards I have had in a while. An explosion of green apple, and above all citrus, and hints of tropical fruit. Perhaps it is a bit disjointed, with the acid stikcing out a tad much, but still very enjoyable. If I had more, I would revisit in 2020. Very enjoyable - although not sure a good value.
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8/27/2018 - spicy1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had my first bottle 18 months ago and this has mellowed into a great wine. No longer dominated by citrus and no hint of oak or butter. Mineral driven with some black pepper and maybe some white fruit. Only question is, is it worth $57? Let your wallet decide.
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7/29/2018 - Jbird73 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really great straight out of the bottle. I got an almost tropical note in addition to the tart green apple and some lemon. This bottle went so quick we didn't get to the 2nd hour...heck....not even the end of one hour. Very good stuff!!
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7/26/2018 - Frank Murray III wrote:
July 2018 Rivers-Marie Visit (At Mending Wall winery): Poured blind as part of a 3 wine flight of RM whites. We did not know the wines but given the portfolio, we knew we had to be in Chardonnay land. Aromatics of white pepper, broad texture, spicy with green apple, flint, light lemon and the same spicy finish of the 2010 we had next to it.
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7/20/2018 - Jbird73 wrote: 93 Points
Excellent
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5/14/2018 - Cailles wrote: 93 Points
Very enjoyable California Chardonnay done in a cool, fresh, old world style. Powerful apple and citrus aroma and with time in the glass an oyster shell, sea salt minerality. Smooth and silky. Not the most complex wine but perfect for a summer apero (no decant needed but I would advise to follow it over one or two hours to experience the emerging saltiness).
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2/23/2018 - yaCellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
I wanted to pop the 2013 but had it in my offsite. Popped this at cellar temp and double decanted to wake it up. Beautiful golden color. A nose summed up well by my 3 year old as “everything”. Topical and peachy fruits with a lot of lychee, spring flowers, baking spices, freshly baked muffins. Great texture underneath white tea, lemon curd, and vanilla. Long and lingering finish with racy acid. I did expect a little more butter and roundness but this was beautiful nonetheless.
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2/13/2018 - msuwine wrote: 92 Points
I had hoped that this would round out in the nine months since I tasted it last (93 points - 5/17), but this still tastes the same, if not a little faded - dense, tight, and angular. Light yellow in color, medium in body, nose of lemon and saline, with a hint of hazelnut now. A little rounder - and more simple - tastes of grapefruit, green apple, and almond, with a tight finish that has a bit of an oily mouthfeel. 13.8% alcohol. Maybe this needs more time, maybe it just is what it is - and, if that's the case, this is a quality wine, but it's not very exciting.
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7/2/2017 - ageverett Likes this wine: 93 Points
Probably should have waited longer on this to see where it sits in a year or two. Alas, I was thirsty. This was plenty nice and consistent with prior experience. But all agreed that the Realm Fidelio was the star white this night.
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6/3/2017 - RobbieC wrote:
PNP, then consumed over two hours. As others have noted, unusual California Chardonnay. Based on color and nose, I would have guessed White Burgundy. Light color and medium body for a Chardonnay. Strong tastes of citrus and grapefruit, with minerals, hints of oak and vanilla. Has a certain Sauvignon Blanc quality to it. This is a nice wine, but it's also not what I expect from a California Chardonnay. Paired this with a cream based pasta dish that should have been perfect match and yet it was just so-so pairing. Enjoyed the wine but not sure how to rate or score.
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5/30/2017 - 64 Squares Does not like this wine:
I love Rivers-Marie Pinots (and am a big fan of TRB, as my cellar can attest to), but I really was not into this. Too much citrus for my taste and somewhat light bodied. I won't rate.
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5/6/2017 - ageverett Likes this wine: 93 Points
Honey in color. White flowers and honeysuckle. Very full on the palate. Best somewhere right around cellar temp.
Think this is a good candidate for some further bottle age.
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5/6/2017 - msuwine Likes this wine: 93 Points
An energetic yet tight Chardonnay that should be fantastic in another year or two. Light yellow in color, medium in body, nose of lemon and saline. Tastes of grapefruit, green apple, lemon meringue, and almond, with a lovely finish. 13.8% alcohol. There is a lot of density and energy here, but it doesn't quite unfold, even after a few hours of air. I'm going to wait until 2018 for my other bottle, when I expect this will start to realize its potential.
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1/21/2017 - spicy1 Likes this wine:
This is my first Rivers-Marie wine and pretty far outside my normal price range so I think I will not rate the wine--maybe for the first time on CT. Lots of crisp acid and citrus but far different from any chard I have tasted--not sure what to make of it. Have one more bottle and think I will let it lie for a few years.
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12/7/2016 - EstimatedEyes Likes this wine: 95 Points
Grabbed this blind out of my cellar at the start of the Dubs smackdown of the Clips and OMFG this is great. Crisp and acidic, balanced with apple and pear, just dances on the palate. Wonderful. (So are the Dubs).
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