Phantom Rivers Winery

Rivers-Marie

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023

Took awhile to open up but turned out to be a stunner. Nose of fresh violets with explosive Kirsch, dark raspberry and sandalwood flavors. Mouthfeel is tantalizing, smooth and well balanced. Racy acidity, fine tannins and long finish. Really exceptional for an appellation wine. — 3 days ago

Ira and Tom liked this

Rivers-Marie

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Quite rich. Drank it young, it would have been better in a few years. Would buy again to see. — 4 months ago

Jonathan liked this

Rivers-Marie

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

Caramel..lite oak — 5 months ago

Karen Kellison
with Karen

Rivers-Marie

Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022

[Tasted on October 1, 2025 at Home with Jay]

Plum and boysenberry fruit, with tea, sassafras and sandalwood notes. Beautiful wine.
— a month ago

Outpost

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Outpost – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Crafted in limited quantities by famed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, this Howell Mountain Cabernet is the epitome of intensity and mountain-driven elegance. Rugged terroir and meticulous cellar work combine to deliver a bold, structured wine with remarkable depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with graphite, blackcurrant, and dried tobacco leaf. Layers of leather, espresso, and blackberry compote unfold, followed by subtle hints of cedar and crushed herbs.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and powerful, yet finely knit. Dense, mouth-coating tannins frame the dark fruit core, while a long, brooding finish leaves behind savory and mineral echoes.

Food Pairings
Perfect with char-grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or a rich mushroom ragù.

Verdict
A serious mountain Cabernet, intense, deep, and age-worthy. Already impressive young but destined to shine with time in the cellar.

Did You Know?
Howell Mountain was Napa Valley’s first sub-AVA (1983) and is known for producing Cabernets with higher acidity, bold tannins, and dark fruit concentration thanks to its volcanic soils and elevated vineyards.
— 11 hours ago

Rivers-Marie

B. Thieriot Vineyard Chardonnay

Golden straw color with lemon rind and white flowers on the nose. Light citrus, minerals, modest acidity and a touch of oak. Layered, balanced and wonderfully site-specific. — a month ago

Rivers-Marie

Panek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Resolved tannins, and well balanced. However the fruit was just too over the top for me. Think blackberry shake. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister and Andrew liked this

Westend Estate Wines

Three Bridges Durif 2020

Another vintage. Still very good. Deep dark with dark fruit (a plum, blackberry), tobacco and leather. — 4 months ago

Rivers-Marie

Lore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2016 Lore Vineyard pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe black fruits: brambles, plums, cassis, loads of tobacco, leather, a touch of bell pepper, organic earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is velvety. This is modern Napa through and through. Balanced but big. Drink now through 2036. — 7 months ago

Juan, Tom and 7 others liked this