Country: U.S.A.

Region: Sonoma County

Vintage: 2022

Cépage: Pinot Noir (100%)

Size: 750 ml

Rating(s): 95 (JD)

Rivers-Marie Winery is the highly personal project of Thomas Rivers Brown, one of California's most sought-after consulting winemakers, and his wife Genevieve Marie Welsh, from whom the winery takes its name. Launched in 2002 with a tiny amount of Pinot Noir from the legendary Summa Vineyard, the winery focuses on crafting site-driven Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay that express vineyard and vintage with remarkable clarity. Their philosophy emphasizes a more restrained and elegant style, often using minimal new oak and native yeasts, reflecting Thomas's deep appreciation for traditional Burgundy and Barolo.

Magenta-colored, the 2022 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast also reveals aromas of candied berries as well as red and black raspberries, with a pleasing lift on the nose. Medium-bodied, it is well-structured, with ripe, fine tannins, great freshness and good acidity, and a lovely, long finish. It’s really showing well and is going to have great potential. This is a wine to snap up if you have the opportunity – it really has a stamp of quality that notches things up a level.