Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2019 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – Bottle Notes

Thomas Rivers Brown and his wife Genevieve Marie Welsh 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 several single vineyard Cabernets and Chardonnay. Thomas is…

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Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2013 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Estate – Bottle Notes

Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. In 1987 Rochioli released their first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery has published a detailed map of…

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Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2017 Ferren Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – Bottle Notes

Winemaker Matt Courtney founded Ferren Wines in 2013 with longtime friend David Wherritt after an eight-year apprenticeship with Helen Turley at Marcassin Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast. Ferren specializes in Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Matt is also the winemaker at Arista. Ruby red in color. 14.6% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, iron, flowers and forest floor. Medium…

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Buying Wine

A Visit to Rivers-Marie

In early August we visited Rivers-Marie Winery in Calistoga. This was my first visit to the new facility. We were greeted in the parking lot by Thomas Rivers Brown which was a complete surprise and super cool. After chatting with TRB briefly, Frank Ingriselli, the Hospitality Director showed us into the winery where we would do a sit down tasting.…

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Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

Paying Respects to Joe Rochioli

Joe Rochioli Jr. died several days ago at the age of 88. He had health issues since suffering a stroke in 2020. The Wine Spectator did a really good job of writing about how integral Joe was in establishing the Russian River Valley as a one of the great Pinot Noir regions in the world. You can read about Joe’s…

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