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. 13.6% ABV. Gorgeous nose of red fruits, cloves, pine needle and citrus. Medium body with perfect acidity. Earthy and ethreal with subtle Pinot Noir flavors. Cranberry, pomegranate, blood orange, earth and baking spices on the palate. The finish just sort of lingers until you are ready for another sip. So unique and not what you expect when you typically open a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Best over the next several years.
My rating: 93 points.
Rivers-Marie wines are only available via their mailing list. Sign up for the mailing list if you have not done so already. The 2019 Pinot Noir release will be early next year.
I’ve blogged about Rivers-Marie previously in the 2018 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings and Updates from Rivers-Marie.