Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Gioia Vineyard 2013 750ml

The 2013 Pinot Noir Gioia Vineyard has a distinctly floral/savory/citrus profile, with pretty aromatics that balance some of the intensity of the fruit. Dark
cherries, plums, mint, dried herbs and crushed flowers wrap around the powerful finish. Texturally, the 2013 is a bit chunky, especially next to the other wines in the range. There is a very real push and pull between the riper and less ripe elements here that reflects the uneven maturation that is a signature of this site. I was not surprised to learn that 2013 will be the last Gioia from Rivers-Marie.

• Country: United States
• Region: California
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world’s most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means ‘black pine’ in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.