2018 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Old Vines
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Pinot Noir Summa Old Vines takes time to open to dried bark, mushroom and potpourri with a core of black berry fruit and loads of floral nuances. The palate is medium-bodied and silky with slowly expanding, earth-laced flavors, finishing long, juicy and uplifted.
Critic scores
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
From the same site yet from just the original plantings, the 2018 Pinot Noir Summa Old Vines offers even more iron and iodine notions as well as gorgeous black cherry fruit, leafy herbs, bay leaf, violets, candied orange peel, and Asian spices. More tight, backward, and reserved than the straight Summa Vineyard, it's medium to full-bodied, has perfectly integrated acidity, awesome balance, and a finish that won't quit. This is a magical Pinot Noir that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and have 30 years of overall longevity. California's answer to Grand Cru Burgundy? Here you go. There are 180 cases made. Bravo.
The 2018 Pinot Noir Summa Old Vines is dense, powerful and packed. Savory herb, licorice, menthol, anise and dried rose petal add striking layers of complexity. In most vintages, the Old Vines can be ethereal and fleeting, but in 2018 packs a serious punch. I would give it a few years in bottle to be at its best.