Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
Pommard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Tonight's bottle hails from Riverbench winery. This one's a Pinot Noir, a Pommard Clone Pinot Noir to be exact. The Pinot Noir grape hails from the great family of Pinot varietals, aka the Gris, the Blanc, the Noir, etc, The Pommard clone has found its way into California vineyards via cuttings from Pinot Noir from the Château de Pommard in France circa the 1940s. The original being the "Clone 4", and then giving birth to a daughter, the "Clone 5". The Pommard Clone 5 has slowly been making a name for itself all along the west coast, from Oregon to Southern California. It tends to deliver a meaty/gamey flavor with pure dark fruit flavors. This vintage shows a wonderful restraint and great balanced structure to deliver a wonderfully light red wine, perfect for any occasion. ~$46 | #riverbench #pinotnoir #pommard
On the eyes: Bright, clear cranberry red, med- stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Earthy, herbaceous, blood orange, and bruléed strawberry. Med alcohol.
On the tongue: Med acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med round body with great balance. Pleasantly tart, slightly floral with bright cranberry and blueberry, and dusty old road that yields to a memory of smoky oak. This one is drinking young and could probably do with another few years in the bottle, but I just couldn't resist a Riverbench Pinot.
Tonight's bottle hails from Riverbench winery. This one's a Pinot Noir, a Pommard Clone Pinot Noir to be exact. The Pinot Noir grape hails from the great family of Pinot varietals, aka the Gris, the Blanc, the Noir, etc, The Pommard clone has found its way into California vineyards via cuttings from Pinot Noir from the Château de Pommard in France circa the 1940s. The original being the "Clone 4", and then giving birth to a daughter, the "Clone 5". The Pommard Clone 5 has slowly been making a name for itself all along the west coast, from Oregon to Southern California. It tends to deliver a meaty/gamey flavor with pure dark fruit flavors. This vintage shows a wonderful restraint and great balanced structure to deliver a wonderfully light red wine, perfect for any occasion. ~$46 | #riverbench #pinotnoir #pommard
On the eyes: Bright, clear cranberry red, med- stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Earthy, herbaceous, blood orange, and bruléed strawberry. Med alcohol.
On the tongue: Med acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med round body with great balance. Pleasantly tart, slightly floral with bright cranberry and blueberry, and dusty old road that yields to a memory of smoky oak. This one is drinking young and could probably do with another few years in the bottle, but I just couldn't resist a Riverbench Pinot.
Pretty cherry and dark strawberry fruit combine with medium body and a nice toasty character. Love the pommard clone.
Pretty cherry and dark strawberry fruit combine with medium body and a nice toasty character. Love the pommard clone.
Dec 26th, 2016Love the pommard clone. Always seems to produce a wine with big character/aromatics while still being lighter bodied. This wine is no different. Good stuff.
Love the pommard clone. Always seems to produce a wine with big character/aromatics while still being lighter bodied. This wine is no different. Good stuff.
Sep 22nd, 2016Good amount of body, but not excessive. Dark fruit with great mushroom earthiness. Young, but approachable.
Good amount of body, but not excessive. Dark fruit with great mushroom earthiness. Young, but approachable.
Jan 22nd, 2016Love riverbench’s pommard! 2014 is tasting as fresh as can be! Cran-apple, earth, and cherry juice!
Love riverbench’s pommard! 2014 is tasting as fresh as can be! Cran-apple, earth, and cherry juice!
Jan 21st, 2023
Very classic smell for this region smokey! Quite fruit forward. Dark fruit. Backing Spices. Not really recognizable as a Pommard Clone. Classic South Cal 14.2%. Yes lots of folks will like this but just not me. It lacks the characteristics of Pommard. Not Burgundian at all.
Very classic smell for this region smokey! Quite fruit forward. Dark fruit. Backing Spices. Not really recognizable as a Pommard Clone. Classic South Cal 14.2%. Yes lots of folks will like this but just not me. It lacks the characteristics of Pommard. Not Burgundian at all.
Feb 7th, 2021Great vintage, nose out of this world! Vibrant fruit, youthful!
Great vintage, nose out of this world! Vibrant fruit, youthful!
Nov 12th, 2020Beautiful ruby color, Lush black cherry soda, lightly tart.
Beautiful ruby color, Lush black cherry soda, lightly tart.
Dec 18th, 2018
Frangipane and wet dirt on nose. Cali fruit cut by good acid when sipping. And a rosy dry cola finish for days. Amazing.
Frangipane and wet dirt on nose. Cali fruit cut by good acid when sipping. And a rosy dry cola finish for days. Amazing.
Feb 15th, 2017Still young but a fantastic vintage. An earthy Pinot Noir that is meant for food.
Still young but a fantastic vintage. An earthy Pinot Noir that is meant for food.
Feb 28th, 2016