Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on November 9, 2024 at Home with Jay]

Pomegranate and black raspberry fruit, with black tea notes. — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2019 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherries, red roses, tangerine, pomegranate, talcum powder, dried sage, truffle, and dried stony earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. A lovely expression of 2019 Barbaresco. Drink now with patience and through 2049. — 3 months ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.2

The yin to 2005’s yang, the 2008 is ethereal and elegant, very Burgundian like. The fruit is more red to dark red, slightly more high toned and fresher - red cherry, currants, and pomegranate, with elegant spice and savory notes. The pepper here is a little more perceptible but is also very well integrated with the style the vintage has borne. The palate has med/med+ concentration, with more perceptible acidity, but in a mouthwatering, refreshing way. The tannin are med/med+ and fine, and this finishes long, cool and fresh. Another example of a great vintage/terroir wine. — a year ago

Brad Jensen

8.9

More cranberry and much more tart than previous years, still very good. The color of pale cranberry juice with bold notes of pomegranate and a very dry finish. — 3 years ago

Ben Tang

9.0

A solid young gamay. Bramble and tart blackberries strong on the taste buds and a hint of pomegranate. Potting soil and forest floor at the end. Med+ acidity, low-med tannins, med+ body. — a month ago

Charlie Tapp

9.4

Cranberry, pomegranate, stems and earth. — a year ago

Kristin Yankauskas

9.5

Chilled red, perfectly crushable for a warm summer night. Strawberry in color and light berries on the nose. Slightly funky but bright and dry with hints of pomegranate, citrus and herbs. Works well as your first opened bottle on the patio. — a year ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.0

2020 vintage. Very red-fruited and spicy. Red currant, pomegranate, crab apple, cranberry, violet, black tea, cassia, white pepper, dried sage, hibiscus. No hint of smoke taint, which is awesome. — 3 years ago

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. — 3 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Somm decanted and tossed bottle; but was the 1995 at a good price at Adalina in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Nice bit of browning… smooth silken, resolved tannins, pretty light touch on the palate. Ripe cherry, dusty dryness… perfect foil for braised veal shanks with pomegranate reduction and creamy polenta. Great producer, lovely wine, and perfect maturity. Long, chewy finish. — 2 years ago