#riverbench
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
Pommard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2013
Tonight's bottle hails from Riverbench winery. This one's a Pinot Noir, a Pommard Clone Pinot Noir to be exact. The Pinot Noir grape hails from the great family of Pinot varietals, aka the Gris, the Blanc, the Noir, etc, The Pommard clone has found its way into California vineyards via cuttings from Pinot Noir from the Château de Pommard in France circa the 1940s. The original being the "Clone 4", and then giving birth to a daughter, the "Clone 5". The Pommard Clone 5 has slowly been making a name for itself all along the west coast, from Oregon to Southern California. It tends to deliver a meaty/gamey flavor with pure dark fruit flavors. This vintage shows a wonderful restraint and great balanced structure to deliver a wonderfully light red wine, perfect for any occasion. ~$46 | #riverbench #pinotnoir #pommard
On the eyes: Bright, clear cranberry red, med- stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Earthy, herbaceous, blood orange, and bruléed strawberry. Med alcohol.
On the tongue: Med acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med round body with great balance. Pleasantly tart, slightly floral with bright cranberry and blueberry, and dusty old road that yields to a memory of smoky oak. This one is drinking young and could probably do with another few years in the bottle, but I just couldn't resist a Riverbench Pinot. — 8 years ago
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
Reserve Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2011
Received the 2011 Reserve Chardonnay from Riverbench in a member shipment a while back and drank it about a week ago. Riverbench, founded in 1973, has long held a very favorable reputation for producing high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay out of the Santa Maria Valley. Their winemaker, Clarissa Nagy, has all the tools to make great wine and this is a great example. ~32$ | #riverbench #chardonnay #santamariavalley
On the eyes: starbright, yellow-gold with light stain and med tears. No gas/floc.
On the nose: very buttery with an oaky nuttiness rounded by melon, guava, and pear.
On the tongue: slightly effervescent with med acid, med tannin, and med+ alcohol, floral notes yielding to lemon, melon, and pear on a nice creamy mouthfeel. There's a bit of spice and unmistakable buttery oakiness on the much appreciated long finish. — 9 years ago
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
One Palm Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
This was a fantastic Easter dinner wine. #riverbench #sbcwine — 10 years ago
Zachary Price
Ah, that Riverbench Pinot Noir....nestled in the Santa Maria Valley, Riverbench specializes in mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The One Palm vintage is made from a single clone, 667, which is typically a blending Pinot for estate cuvées. Per usual, the clone is a finicky one, showing wide variability depending on climate - Too warm? Sugars concentrate and odd flavors emerge, (think apple). Too cold? Tight, spiciness emerges, (think all spice). Riverbench farms the Santa Maria AVA which benefits from an excellent marine influence and a wonderful stewed red cabbage terroir flavor point. Always a favorite of mine - (I did get married there) - and paired with a Chirashi Style rice bowl. Delish! ~$42 | #riverbench #pinotnoir #santamariavalley
On the eyes: Clear, light ruby, quite bright, med stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Stewed cranberry, tart cherry, cedar, slate, hints of braised red cabbage, med alcohol.
On the tongue: med acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med body, smooth. Sharp cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, hint of red cabbage, finishing with clove and star anise. Nice long pleasant finish, benefits from room temperature (began drinking at 60 degrees), and decanting. — 8 years ago