2010 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)

Super fragrant nose of sour strawberries, Asian tea and cranberry. A very intense delivery on this as the palate shows dried and sour fruits of strawberries, dried red currant and pomegranate. A very lively mouth-feel with so much going on. I get hints of cedar, rubbed tea leaf and spring flowers. Tannins are large but behaved and acidity is just right to carry it all to the crescendo, and what a crescendo it is: focused, boisterous and playful all while remaining as serious as a heart attack. Long finish and I am gonna need……more.  93 pts

2010 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Gioia Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)

Strawberry color with a nose macerated bright red strawberries, pomegranate and spring flowers---pretty great. Palate reveals soft gushy red berry fruits with creamy textured mouthfeel. Acidity rides slightly up-ticks (fantastic food friendliness on this) with tannins being slightly chewy. A wonderful structure controls the second part of the journey which goes from easy to corral to a wild unbreakable maverick. Intoxicating notes of soft coco infused strawberries come out at the half-way mark in addition to some nice minerality and sassparilla. Finish is long and remains focused. Glad I have more. 93 pts