2012 | Rivers-Marie | Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir

Dark, bright red. Complex aromas of raspberry, plum, white pepper, medicinal herbs and mint, complicated by an earthy nuance. Silky, tactile and light on its feet, with brisk acidity and a note of fresh herbs giving lift to the red fruit flavors. This Chambolle-like Pinot finishes juicy and persistent, with firm, suave tannins.

Reviews:

• Vinous: The 2012 Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard is arguably the most dense and compact of these Pinots. Here, it is the wine's structure that stands out most. Whereas most of the 2012 Rivers-Marie Pinots are drinking well right now, the Occidental Ridge is a wine that needs to be cellared for at least another year or two. Firm tannins support a salivating finish laced with dark red and blue tones fruit, crushed rocks and chalk. A dollop of whole clusters (10%) adds nuance. Readers who can find the Occidental Ridge should not hesitate, it is fabulous.

• Allen Meadows: An attractively fresh and layered nose features notes of plum, spice, dark currant and dark pinot. There is a seductive mouth feel to the round, supple and delicious medium weight flavors that possess fine mid-palate volume, all wrapped in a dusty, complex and balanced and admirably persistent finish.

Producer Information

Rivers-Marie is a wine producer based in Calistoga, Napa Valley, but primarily known for its small-production Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. It was founded by husband-and-wife team Thomas Rivers Brown and Genevieve Marie Walsh, and made its first vintage of Pinot Noir in 2002. Rivers-Marie wines are sold exclusively through a mailing list, with annual production ranging from 60 to 600 cases per label. Winemaker Thomas Brown got his start in the wine industry working under Ehren Jordan at Turley Wine Cellars. In 2002, he had the opportunity to purchase fruit from the respected Summa Vineyard, a two-hectare (six-acre) site planted in 1978. Brown purchased the Summa Vineyard outright in 2010 and today produces two single-vineyard Pinot Noir wines from the vineyard, as well as single-vineyard Pinot Noir wines from Occidental Ridge Vineyard, Kanzler Vineyard and Silver Eagle Vineyard. Rivers-Marie began making Chardonnay in 2007, and today makes single-vineyard wines from the Thieriot and Joy Road vineyards, as well as a generic Sonoma Coast cuvée. The winery also makes several Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines, including single-vineyard bottlings from Calistoga, St Helena and Oakville. As well as Rivers-Marie, Brown is involved in numerous winemaking projects across California.

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