WTN: A Couple Of 2008 Pinots - Rivers Marie & St Innocent

• 2008 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Old Vines Summa - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (4/26/2010)
  It was hard to stay away from this one. A pinot that would probably have something for everyone. Very pure with lots of fruit and no cloying sweetness. The fruit has a tartness that keeps it fresh. This would be hard for me to let age. (93 pts.)
  
  
• 2008 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Villages Cuvée - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (4/26/2010)
  This is a consistent entry level wine every year. Like most years it will take a few years to hit its stride but can be drank now if you don't mind the structure being up fron. Nice contrast to the Rivers Marie. Made this seem more rustic and edgy. Wait 3 years. (90 pts.)

Jason


Posted from CellarTracker

[Jenise]

Rivers-Marie is sure getting a lot of love these days, but I've yet to try one. Thanks for the note on the SI Villages, it's a bargain for an everyday-priced pinot.

Rivers-Marie is sure getting a lot of love these days, but I've yet to try one. Thanks for the note on the SI Villages, it's a bargain for an everyday-priced pinot.

If you like Cali Pinot, RM is excellent. They are big fruit forward pinots with great balance and a mouth-feel that is not fatiguing.

Jason

[Jenise]

Rivers-Marie is sure getting a lot of love these days, but I've yet to try one. Thanks for the note on the SI Villages, it's a bargain for an everyday-priced pinot.

If you like Cali Pinot, RM is excellent. They are big fruit forward pinots with great balance and a mouth-feel that is not fatiguing.

Jason

I do! I can honestly say that I enjoy all styles of pinot noir, I just avoid comparing California pinots with Burgundies as if they have an obligation to be more alike. As far as I'm concerned, it's as if they're two different grapes. Anyway, must try a Rivers-Marie!

Anyway, must try a Rivers-Marie!

There is an abundance of it here in SoCal if you make it down.

Jason

Jason, your St Innocent Villages Cuvee TN reminds me that I'd better ask a local wine merchant to set aside a couple or so. The wine tends to sell out early. I took a look at the Cellar-Tracker notes on it -- which with one exception rate it from 89 to 91 -- and found about half the nine posters thought the wine is drinking well now while half agree with you that it is disjointed but expect it to come around. My experience with past years' ST. I Villages Cuvees has been that while a few years in the bottle helps, the wine usually shows well on release. Bottle variation this year?

Anyhow, 2008 apparently has the potential to be an outstanding year for Oregon Pinot Noir, so there doesn't seem to be much reason to buy a lot until more wines are released.