From their website:
Chardonnay
Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermentation.
No inoculation for primary or secondary unless necessary.
No stirring.
Limited sulfur additions.
100% French Oak barrels, 0% - 25% new oak.
Bottled in December in the year after harvest.
Last year’s newsletter:
Rivers-Marie 2018’s are brilliant across the board.’
- Antonio Galloni
Spring 2020
Where Napa may have had a little interruption in its historic run of great vintages with 2017, Sonoma has not missed a beat. While there probably is a pecking order, there’s no doubt 2012-2018 have all been very good to great years for Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 2018 may prove to be the best of the bunch especially for Chardonnay. The wines have a greater perception of acidity mainly due to a citrus fruit leaning profile across the entire spectrum of wines. The mouthwatering acidity gives the wines a lightness that encourages repeat sips as the wines open and evolve. The wines also fall squarely in the complexion category of green gold which we always feel bodes well for ageability and increased nuance over time. We are very happy to continue to offer a Chardonnay only mailer and certainly feel the wines deserve a space of their own.
ACCESS YOUR ALLOCATION
2018 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast—390 cases, $30
The 2018 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) is such a beautiful wine. Pliant and creamy, the 2018 offers a striking interplay of vibrancy and fruit depth. Apricot, mint, dried flowers and light tropical inflections add myriad shades of complexity to this striking, expressive appellation-level Chardonnay.’ - 93 pts., Antonio Galloni
One of the luxuries of an abundant year is the ability to be very selective on what makes the single vineyard cut. This version of the Sonoma Coast is the greatest amalgam of all the bottlings presented in a Chardonnay mailer. Like its Sonoma Coast Pinot sibling, Riddle Vineyard provides the backbone. That vineyard is represented here by green apple skin but then there’s 2 barrels of Platt (hint of botrytized citrus fruit), 1 barrel of Bearwallow (a banana like tropical-ness) and one 30 gallon stainless torpedo of Thieriot (lemon meringue). All of that sounds really good reading it back but the wine is even better. This doesn’t feel like an appellation wine. Like some of the single vineyard wines, there is a vintage inspired reduction that offers white chocolate complemented by a flinty, savory mix of pear, mint and chamomile tea.
2018 Rivers-Marie “Joy Road Vineyard” Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast—130 cases, $50
‘The 2018 Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard is another wonderfully nuanced wine in this range. Lemon confit, white flowers, butter, mint and a touch of reduction all grace the Joy Road. Finessed and exquisite to the core, the Joy Road is another sublime Chardonnay in this range. In 2018, the Joy Road has an unctuous feel that is hugely appealing.’ -94 pts., Antonio Galloni
I’m a little stunned by how complete this wine is only six weeks removed from bottling. There have always been holes in previous editions that time helped fill, no need here. The nose grabs you immediately with a broad spectrum of citrus notes most notably kaffir lime and lemon rind with just a touch of reduction to make the aromatics linger. This is a true coast site so the first palate perception is a framing acidity that brings forward chalk, menthol, lanolin, almonds and lemon oil. Though the 3.27 finished pH wouldn’t suggest it, there is some give to the wine in the way of salted butter, white flowers and a yellow fruited confit.
2018 Rivers-Marie “Purrington Rued Vineyard” Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast—105 cases, $60
The 2018 Chardonnay Purrington Rued Vineyard is a wine of tremendous character and nuance. Readers will find a lush, bold Chardonnay loaded with tropical fruit, sweet spice and ripe apricot flavors. In the glass, the 2018 offers quite a bit of textural depth if a bit less of the delicacy found in some of the other wines in the range.- 93 pts., Antonio Galloni
The exoticness of this site continues to amaze us. It starts with notes of candied ginger, apricot compote, nectarines and lychee. Like the 2017, it has Alsatian overtones that don’t immediately scream Chardonnay. That comes in later with a dense textural impact and a swerve toward lemony, citrus notes. This wine is a combination of so many things we strive for in our winemaking: site, clonal and vintage expression here coupled with vine age. These vines are 50 years old which allows us to do very little in the vineyard and cellar to make what we think is the best version of this site. Only vine age can do that with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We touched on our future jealousy a bit in the last Pinot mailer, how the next generation will find working with 40, 50, 60 year old sites commonplace. Here we get a little glimpse into that future.
2018 Rivers-Marie Platt Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast – 180 cases, $60
In 2018, the Chardonnay Platt Vineyard is fabulous. Rich and luscious, the 2018 shows why this site is so highly regarded. The Platt is a wonderfully complete wine endowed with striking aromatic presence, tons of depth and plenty of supporting structure. Apricot, sage, mint and tropical notes all open up in the glass. - 94+ pts., Antonio Galloni
No surprise this possesses more than a passing resemblance to Thieriot. Sea spray and crushed oyster shell always remind us of the most far flung Sonoma Coast sites, almost as if the fog that wraps itself around this area carries ocean mist to the grapes. The naturally low pH pushes the fruit to high-toned: lemon peel, nectarine and orchard fruits. There’s also a savory quality that adds complexity and depth, tea leaves and mint accentuated by salted butter. Coiled tight for now, all the potential resides in the mid-palate where the acidity provides a cool freshness that’s both mouthwatering and luscious.
2018 Rivers-Marie B. Thieriot Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast—152 cases, $60
‘The 2018 Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard is a captivating wine that captures all of the energy this site is so well-known for, but without the austerity that is sometimes found in Thieriot Chardonnays. Citrus confit, mint, chamomile, almond and ripe orchard fruit abound. Deep in color and super-intense, the 2018 is positively stellar.’ 95 pts., Antonio Galloni
There’s not much more to say about wines from this property. The consistency of the site provides such great raw material every year. This version has all the lemony goodness and mouthwatering acidity you expect from Thieriot with complimentary notes of white peach, candied pineapple, pear and honeysuckle. With zero noticeable oak, the excellence of the vineyard shines through showcasing both a great growing season and the precise farming of Ulises Valdez Jr. and his crew.
Reminders
Given the small case count, this mailer will only be open for 10 days, quantities permitting. We will ship Pinot and Chardonnay orders together starting March 23th. Weather will of course dictate when we can get wine to all parts of the country. Any questions, please reach out to Will Segui at will@riversmarie.com.
Thanks again for your continued support.
Thomas Rivers Brown and Genevieve Marie Welsh
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