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

Dimes

9.2

Absolutely impeccable for a Merlot — 4 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

Diana Sabo

9.8

Very smooth! Enjoyed on December 24, 2018 — 6 years ago

Robert Shannon

9.5

As good as any similar desert wines! — 6 years ago

Dennis Hogenkamp

9.1

14.1% ABV Little bit of minerality. — 9 months ago

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

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

Aaron Rankin

9.2

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

Vitaly Domnenko

9.4

Bm+. Tm. Am. Fm. — 5 years ago

Ed Lehrman

9.1

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

Rhyes Adoh

10

amazing! like a red wine champagne. sooo great! — 6 years ago

Neal Ferry

9.2

Still Fantastic — a year ago

Steve Messinger

9.4

Lemon spice notes w complex flavors of lemon, brioche, and red apple. Very long finish. Simply delicious — a year ago

Yoly Sardinas

9.5

Excellent! — 2 years ago

Sam T

9.3

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

Laith A

9.5

Had this 2017 Outpost cab during a zoom tasting with @Antonio Galloni and Thomas Rivers Brown today! For a 2017 this wine is phenomenal.. so good right now but will certainly get better with more aging! — 5 years ago

Billy L.

10

💯 Points Great Wine! MATERIUM always special to enjoy & share! Thanks Chris Maybach & Kudos Thomas Rivers Brown! Cheers 🍇🍷👏🏻👍🏻 — 6 years ago

with Laura

Kathryn Fischer

8.9

Strong apple and Chardonnay taste but delicious! Less bubbly than prosecco. Very enjoyable. — 7 years ago