Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When TRB started this label, I thought a primarily Cabernet Winemaker is going to make Pinot Noir? I wondered how his first vintage would be and while it wasn’t bad by any means, it wasn’t what this 2014 Silver Eagle is at this point. TRB has/is honed/honing his craft. This 2014 will likely continue to improve a bit going forward over the next three years for sure & maybe five. This 14 Silver Eagle is definitely hitting its stride. The nose shows the blue & purple fruits I enjoy on the Pinots I prefer to drink.

The nose reveals nicely ripe blackberries, black raspberries, plum, baked cherries & strawberries, blueberries, mulberries, dry cranberry & raspberries hues on the glass edges. Mid berry cola/licorice, soft baking spices-clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark, Asian/Indian spice mix, light mix of fresh & dry herbs, dark rich soil w/ dry leaves, limestone, dry top soil with fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in a fresh violet field.

The palate shows good mouthfeel & wire to wire consistency. Juicy, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, baked cherries & strawberries, blueberry & mulberry tones, pomegranate, cranberry & raspberries hues. Mid berry cola/licorice, soft baking spices-clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, warm caramel, toast, steeped fruit tea, dark, Asian/Indian spice mix with deep palate penetration & heat, light mix of fresh & dry herbs, dark rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry brush, sandalwood, grey volcanics. wet clay, sandstone & limestone powder, dry top soil with fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in a fresh violet field. The acidity is excellent with a long, elegant, well; balanced, tensioned & structured finish that lasts minutes and lands nicely on dark spice as it sets.

I really enjoy this vineyard and some of the Winemakers that make Pinot from it.

Plenty of life left in this one. 8-10 years well stored.

Photos of, Rivers-Marie facility (2), Owner/Winemaker-Thomas Rivers Brown & beautiful prime Pinot clusters ready for harvest. — 8 months ago

Aaron Rankin

9.2

Lemon kissed butterscotch. Rich butterscotch on the round palette. A drinker’s cali chard. — 4 years ago

James Gourley

9.2

What a delightful red. Definitely fruity but singing acid keeps it very interesting. Very high qpr. — 6 years ago

Jeremy Buss

8.9

Slight cherry, medium tannins- although I would say they are softer than most Cab Sauvs. Very easy drinking. — 6 years ago

Peter Rabe

8.9

Full mouth experience and a delight for a Pinot. Enjoyed at home with a Gouda and salami. Purchased on recommendation of store clerk. $18.99 per bottle. — 6 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Silky smooth, bright, and fragrant. Very pure fruit. Worked with my steak frites and Liz’s crab cake. — 7 years ago

Rich Friedland

9.1

Medium-high acidity. Leather, currant and gooseberry. Nice for duck or rack of lamb. — 10 years ago

Neal Ferry

9.1

Always Good these guys..... — 10 years ago

with Tom

Paten Hughes

9.9

My favorite :) thinking of my Olga's, Masha's & Irina :) — 11 years ago

with Kevin

Byron Hewett

9.2

Sweet. Stone fruits (apricot and peach). I would score it higher if it had a bit more acidity. Enjoyed with a pear tart. — a year ago

LaShondra Berman

8.9

Spiced jam with a hint of floral notes. Layered and hard to nail down the exact bouquet, but it’s delicious. — 2 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.2

Lush, succulent Pinot…dark ruby on pour, dark fruits rise out of the glass setting the stage for an enjoyable first sip…no noticeable tannins…lingering finish…this vintage is in a really good place today — 3 years ago

Peter Keohan

9.3

Beautiful bottle great acidity giving it backbone balanced with a long finish — 5 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.2

The darker side of Rivers Marie. Where all of the Occidental bottlings share red fruited characteristics this is more black fruits and fresh earth. The supporting acidity and the hours it still takes to open up give me hope that it should continue to develop in bottle. — 6 years ago

Tierney H

9.4

Big, dark, leathery, bought from the vineyard — 6 years ago

Rob Sternthal

9.2

A lighter Cabernet with a slightly sweet taste. Not overpowering in any way. Slight tannins. — 7 years ago

David L

9.3

13' 3/4 of the winery is sold to Kosta Browne. They sell to 26 different labels😳 — 9 years ago

Amy Morris

9.5

Reasonably priced, delicious and a great conversation starter.
It looks either like a bottle of olive oil or balsamic vinegar.
Either way- we bought a case! — 10 years ago

Krista Martin

9.8

Yum. Yum yum! — 11 years ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Big, rich, maybe just a little too ripe (as @Tom Casagrande pointed out in a note about an earlier vintage), but still a nice, solid, old vine field blend, Contra Costa County history!! — a year ago

with Jim

Kristen Grimes

9.6

Very fruity. Black cherry and blackberry aromas and some notes of cinnamon, then balanced fruit and baking spices that tingle the tongue and linger on. What Goes with That: Fall Sweets Class, pairing: pumpkin pie. — 3 years ago

Sam T

9.3

Delicious. Perfect wine for a Happy Thanksgiving! — 4 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.1

Deep ruby color. Faint hints of red and blue fruit as well as some earthiness on the nose. Maybe even a little herbaceousness. Flavors of dark cherries, blueberries, baking spices and dried herbs Very sleek tannins and nice acidity. ABV of 14.9 but it does not come across as too hot. I actually would like to try this again with a nice piece of grilled meat. — 5 years ago

with Lisa

Ed Lehrman

9.1

A little heavier than I remember but fully mature and fun to drink with friends. — 6 years ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.5

Impressive. Blue-black color. Deep and complex aromas of black currant and plum; cedar and licorice. Rich but not sweet in the mouth. Delicious and should evolve for many years. — 6 years ago

Chip Hughes

9.5

On tap. One of the original greats. Dank, juicy, crunk. #threefloyds #paleale — 7 years ago

Nicholas Browning

8.9

To me it is a little more sweet than I'm used to for Sonoma County Zin, tastes a bit more like Lodi. If $10, a steal. If $15, maybe just ok. — 9 years ago

Daniel Taub

9.2

Raspberry and rhubarb — 10 years ago

Paul Taylor

9.4

Smooth and extremely drinkable.
Great find on clearance at LCBO — 11 years ago

Sean Edwards

9.7

This is listed as a SGM but technically since it is 35% Mourvedre is should be listed as a SMG. All this Mourvedre is the defining characteristic. Complex nose but an even more complex palate. Only 12 months in new oak keep the oak notes subtle allowing the complexity if the fruit to shine through. There is mouth filling fruit up front with a hint if green olive to keep it honest. The finish is so smooth I would describe it more as velvet than silk. This is so complex that I could go well with so many foods but so intriguing at the same time that I hesitate to insult it by pairing it with a meal. At 28$ a steal. — 12 years ago