Winter 2008

So here it is, the fifth vintage of Rivers-Marie.  Thankfully in 2006, we managed to make almost as much wine as 2002-2005 combined.  We are able to add some folks to the mailing list this year but they will probably be the last additions for a couple years between a lesser production in 2007 and the desire to get more wine to people in future years.  The allocations this year are higher than last but certainly not generous.  The first wave of mailers hits today and then depending on response, we may release to a portion of the waiting list the following Tuesday.  Everyone offered wine, regardless of how long they’ve been on the list, is receiving the same allocation.  The one variable for us is magnums.  Like last year, if 2006 is significant to you please drop us a line to request a magnum.  We’ll do our best to fill the requests.  Shipping will begin February 25^th.

It sounds all too familiar but in 2007 we saw our Pinot Noir production fall 25%.  This occurred even with one more year of vine maturity at Willow Creek Vineyard (new in 2006) and the addition of two more acres of Summa Vineyard.  In barrel right now we have approximately 650 cases of Pinot for the year.  The two early frontrunners look to be Summa Old Vines and a lot of Occidental Ridge combining clones 115 and 777.  The good news is our entry into the world of white wine with some ’07 Bridgit Thieriot Vineyard Chardonnay.  Genevieve and I have been on a bit of a white Burgundy kick the last couple years so the timing couldn’t be more perfect.  It also looks to be fitting in nicely with the house style of the Pinots.  Located directly across the street from Summa, we never had a doubt it wouldn’t.

Now for the wines:

2006 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast-- 188 cases, 14.1% alcohol, 33% new French oak

This actually showed the best at bottling.  In 2006, we racked and returned each barrel individually so we could evaluate the oak program and how each vineyard responded to different coopers.  It also allowed us to declassify anything that we felt didn’t work for each vineyard.  Though the individual parts were what didn’t make the vineyard cut, the sum of these parts actually makes for quite a good wine.  The blend is roughly 3 barrels Occidental Ridge, 2 barrels Summa and 3 barrels Willow Creek.  The wine is an interesting mix of both red and black fruits, rhubarb and sassafras.  The acidity is naturally high providing nice length to the finish.  The wine, like all the other bottlings, is firm on the finish and will require a bit of patience before all the acid integrates.

2006 Rivers-Marie Willow Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast-- 94 cases, 14.1% alcohol, 50% new French oak

This small 2 acre vineyard is planted entirely to Dijon clone 777.  After two years of removing all the fruit from the vines to allow for some maturity, it was a relief to see the 1.5 tons per acre we received in 2006.  The character of the wine lies somewhere in between Summa and Occidental Ridge.  The nose begins shyly, opening to a very floral, citrusy quality with air.  The middle is very sappy and sweet with elements of spearmint gum, dusty cherry, tobacco and orange peel.  We believe this is a very promising start for a vineyard located in one of the best areas in Occidental.

2006 Rivers-Marie Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast-- 301 cases, 14.4% alcohol, 50% new French oak

A darker fruited and brooding example of Occidental Pinot Noir, the ’06 ORV is a curious blend of power and restraint.  The fruit profile is all black cherry and blackberries, indicating a warmer site than the other bottlings, but this wine possesses the highest natural acidity of all the wines in 2006.  A lot of people will no doubt confuse this acidity with heat but rest assured this wine will just take time to absorb its 3.5 finished pH.  The 2005 has followed a similar path.  The acidity marks the wine from nose to middle to finish and I would recommend sitting on this one for a while.  If you have a tolerance for backbone, this wine is enjoyable now balanced by a good bit of underlying sappiness.

2006 Rivers-Marie Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast—163 cases, 13.9% alcohol, 57% new French oak

This wine reminds me of the 2004 version.  It’s what I think of when I think of true Sonoma Coast Pinot.  The balance in this wine is what I keep coming back to when tasting it.  The nose begins with a red/orange fruit combo (sour cherry/orange peel mainly), lavender and rose petals.  On entry, the palate possesses a cola/sassafras quality that runs to the very end of the wine along with fresh mushrooms, cut hay, pine needles and a general wet earth/forest floor component.  The finish for this edition of the wine is long and surprisingly approachable due largely to the extended hangtime in 2006.

2006 Rivers-Marie Summa Old Vines Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast—62 cases, 13.7% alcohol, 100% new French oak

We are very happy to reintroduce this wine to the lineup (and anxiously await getting to the 2007).  The wine begins with a soaring nose of spice box, cinnamon, rhubarb and red fruits.  The old vine extract in this wine helps take it to deeper and broader dimensions of the similar profile it shares with the regular Summa bottling.  This wine ventures into the land of palate texture deeper than any of our wines before it.  The big acid dollop and new wood component comes to the forefront only to be beaten back by the concentration of fruit and general extract.  This wine is a lot more forward than its 2004 edition but will still benefit from some air and should age gracefully for a decade plus.

Once again we thank you for your patronage.  Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions or concerns at riversmarie@sbcglobal.net.

Genevieve Marie Welsh and Thomas Rivers Brown