Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge 2008 750mL

2008. Good deep red-ruby. Musky, smoky aromas of ripe strawberry and spices, lifted by a note of orange zest. In a warmer style but with firm acidity giving lift and perfume to the flavors of dark raspberry, violet and licorice. Finishes quite juicy. Brown describes this as a low-pH wine from a warm site. This was the first pinot vineyard he harvested in 2008, picking in mid-September at 14.3% potential alcohol.

– Stephen Tanzer