Thomas Rivers Brown and his wife Genevieve Marie Walsh have quickly made Rivers-Marie one of California’s most sought after Pinot Noir labels. The winery was founded in 2002 and the first release was the Rivers-Marie Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir. In addition to the line up of Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs, Rivers-Marie also makes a few single vineyard Cabernets and Chardonnay. Thomas is in high demand and serves as a consultant for a number of wineries including Schrader and Outpost.
Summa Vineyard was first planted in 1979 by Steve Young on a pristine ridge top site on Taylor Lane west of the town of Occidental six miles inland from the Pacific coastline on the true Sonoma Coast.
Light red in color. Almost translucent. 14.1% ABV. Really pretty nose of cranberry, citrus and pine needle. Light body with vibrant acidity. Light, ethereal and so very delicate. Cranberry, cherry, blood orange and pomegranate on the palate. The finish is long, elegant and silky. I’ve always known that the Pinots from Rivers-Marie were special. It is safe to say the wines also stand the test of time as well. One of the best Pinots I’ve had from TRB. Drink over the next 2-3 years.
My rating: 95 points.
Rivers-Marie wines are only available via their mailing list. The 2016 version of this wine will be released early next year. Sign up for the mailing list if you have not done so already
I’ve blogged about Rivers-Marie previously in The 2016 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.
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Haven’t had the Summa from 07 in awhile but I am of the opinion that the 07 Summa Old is the best wine ever released under the RM label. And I have had them all