Wines Tasted - February 26, 2010

Rivers-Marie - Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir - 2008 -$24 - (Food Wine, Classic) - Clear garnet with a purple/red rim, moderate concentration and viscosity. Aromas are lifted and rich with woodsmoke, boiled beef, clove and fresh blackberry. Fruit seems secondary in the nose but entry on the palette shows off more tangerine rind, ripe smoky red cherry and red apple skin as well as bracing acidity, which bodes well for pairing with a broad range of higher acid foods. The body is medium, tannins are moderate-, and alcohol at 14.1% keeps the wine balanced for the new world wine drinker. Since the wine has yet to fully evolve, I'd recommend consumption from Summer 2010 to 2017. This wine is all acid, citrus and smoky red berry now thus a pairing with: Seared Ono with Lemon Aioli and Brown Rice and Broccoli fared nicely.