2018 Rivers-Marie Summa Old Vines Pinot Noir

I could write a note on the aromatics alone for this wine.  It literally features every aromatic descriptor we have ever used for this bottling:  sandalwood, pine needles, black tea, orange peel, forest floor, pomegranate, violets and crushed rock.  That’s a lot to take in on just the nose.  The palate is its normal backwards self, another edition that will best be enjoyed with at least 5 years in the cellar.  At 40 years old, the vineyard is still improving producing much more consistent wines even in more challenging climatic conditions.  We have been replacing underproducing vines in this block every year since 2015 and have every intention of preserving this coastal jewel.  There are occasional vintages where another bottling may outshine the Summa Old bottling but this will always be the flagship of the project.