Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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.

Black cherry, citrus, slight menthol.

Last bottle of my 2018 SC.

Followed over two days. Juicy, ripe and balanced. Astounding value at $30. Haven’t found the signature TRB blood orange profile in these RM SCs, but that’s a small nitpick. Loads of red and black berry fruit upfront, boysenberry, red currant and dark florals. Mid palate was much better on day two as it bulked up and showed the nervy side of SC Pinot. It has a high toned/elegant profile while retaining weight. Stylistically it sits in between RRV and cool climate SC. Banging value, as always. Drink now or in the next 3-5yrs.

Ribcap warm up wine.

First well aged TRB Rivers Marie. When you understand that TRB wines are a long hold, its not much of stretch to know it is can be a easy guess as who made this wine. Especially, after nine years in bottle.

The extraction level is all TRB. It’s not Belle Glos Cabernet/Pinot Noir but not Ferren or Williams Selyem. In between & closer to WS. Dark, ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plums, dark cherries, raspberries, overtones of blue fruits, smoked meats, incense, dark spice with heat, alcohol fume, stones, dry crushed limestone, dry twigs, menthol, eucalyptus, mint, fresh; dark, red, blue flowers laid in a field of violets. Acidity is like a rain shower with balance & polish for days.

For my palate, this still needs time. Although, it very approachable for most.

Own a handful of vintages of Rivers-Marie Pinot. This is the first I’ve opened up.

What I would expect from a TRB Pinot. A bit more extraction. Still young and a touch astringent. Hence the reason for waiting until now. Needs 3-5 more years with a lot more road ahead.

More thoughts as it opens further & sets on the palate.

Blackberries, black cherries, plum, dry cranberries, pomegranate, blue fruits, raspberries, lots of earth; crushed, dry rocks, rich dark earth, dry brush & top soil, some eucalyptus, mint, dry herbs, mid intensity, dark spice, black tea, very nice, rainfall acidity with fresh, dark, red flowers with violets. The rich almost Kistler style finish is rich, elegant, nicely polished and persists minutes onto spice & dry earth.

Blood orange, pomegranate, pine needle, gripping tannins. Reliably good.

Raspberry, cranberry, forest floor, tart citrus and red licorice finish.

Needs time. Couldn’t resist. Killed way too early but very good. Well made with lots of alcohol and fruit today but in two or three years it should be $$$$$$$

Citrus, cranberry, berry bramble, earthiness. Good stuff.

Fresh and lively. Enters with dense fruit that is well framed by acidity and carries through to the pure red fruited finish. With air time the spice flavors develop and there is a little bit of a fresh asphalt note that is delicious.