TN: Rivers Marie, Cabot and Dehlinger

WINE TALK
#1
  • 2009 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (7/16/2011)
    Incredible color on this for such a young wine. Looked like the Sauternes we had after dinner. Big, weighty white with mouth coating texture, loads of stone fruit and citrus. Have been drinking much more restrained stainless Chards recently and this one was an eye opener. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

  • 2006 Cabot Vineyards Syrah Aria’s - USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County (7/16/2011)
    Damn good. Offered the little lady a taste and she wanted something fruity. Perfect! Ended up drinking the whole bottle over the course of mango salsa on pita chips and then grilled rib eye steaks. What a treat, pepper, smoke, cured meat, blue fruit. Nice long spicy finish. Love this wine. Huge value, lots more in the cellar. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

  • 2005 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (7/16/2011)
    Decanted and pour a short sip. Nose was all tar, black licorice and leather. Pretty tight in the mouth. After an hour or so it started opening up nicely and got oohs and ahhs from everyone at the table. Silky silky smooth. A real treat. Got one more bottle and it will be hard to keep my hands off it now. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

#2

Brian, you are drinking well. Nice!

#3

I was just looking at the new Dehlinger offer letter this afternoon and wondering why I see so few notes on their cab. I’ve had the '96 and the '02 in the last month or so and thought they were both delicious with fantastic bouquets. Good to hear that the '05 is also a winner. At $50 current release (often less at auction), I think these really over-deliver.

As for the Rivers-Marie chard, I’ve seen so many good notes that I probably need to cave and buy some the next time around after passing for the last 2 years. I drink almost no Chardonnay but maybe R-M will show me the error of my ways.

Thanks for posting the notes.

Andy

#4

Damn good is right. The rest of your note is spot on as well. Of all the Cabot wines I have tasted, this is my favorite. It has been a while since I opened one. Sounds like it’s still rocking.