Vineyard: Silver Eagle

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Sojourn Cellars (9.26 6/23/2013)
Rivers-Marie: Past & Present (11.1 3/29/2017)
Rivers Marie: Back on Track in 2012 (9.40 4/17/2014)
Recent Sips of California Pinot Noir (10.10 5/11/2015)
More Sips of California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (9.20 2/26/2013)
Sips of Recently Tasted Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (9.49 10/20/2014)
Tasting Pinot with Plenty of Noir (9.9 7/21/2012)
Rivers-Marie: 2010 & 2011 Reflect the Challenges of Farming on the Edge (9.24 5/5/2013)
Three Sticks Wines: Three Superb Varietals (9.21 3/23/2013)
California Pinot Noir Worth Toasting (11.20 3/15/2018)
Rivers-Marie 2009 Pinot Noir (8.43 9/2/2011)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Semper Wines
Valdez Family Winery
Sojourn Cellars
Rivers-Marie
Three Sticks Wines
Ram's Gate Winery

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Rivers-Marie Silver Eagle Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 200 cases, $50. Vineyard is farmed by Ulises Valdez. Primarily Vosne-Romanee and Calera clones. Some added whole cluster in this vintage. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is largely oak-driven with aromas of coffee and roasted nuts initially, slowly revealing black fruit flavors. Rich and sappy in the mouth, with flavors of blackberry, cassis and Hoison sauce with a noticeable play of oak in the background. Fruit driven, with nicely balanced tannins, and a pleasing but not extraordinary finish. Little nuance, but offers an irresistible opulence. Score: 92. Reviewed March 29, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Ram’s Gate Silver Eagle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.30, TA 0.61, 132 cases, $76. This property is managed by Ulises Valdez. Located in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley region, the vines were planted in 2007 near the town of Occidental just 6 miles from the coast. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Appealing perfume of cherry, allspice, and earthy flora. A complete wine with luscious black cherry and black raspberry fruit flavors that strike an impression. The fruit is infused with exotic spices that hold interest. Bold on the attack, lengthy in the mouth, and finishing with purpose and generosity. Score: 94. Reviewed March 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Rivers-Marie Silver Eagle Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $50. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Brooding nose that reluctantly gives up shy aromas of dark stone and berry fruits over time in the glass. Plenty of fruit load, but light on its feat, featuring purple and black fruits with a hint of dark chocolate and cola. Polished tannins and admirable oak integration, finishing with some generosity. When tasted a day later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the aromas were more uplifting and the wine was more open and expressive. Score: 92. Reviewed May 14, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Rivers-Marie Silver Eagle Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 350 cases, $50. 10% whole cluster inclusion. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Interesting nose with an array of quirky aromas including citrus, cedary oak, stainless and jerky complimented the mixed dark fruit. Much more traditional on the palate with moderately rich flavors of juicy dark red cherries and berries that really grab on and hold through a lengthy finish that has considerable textural interest. Still tight, and the nose is a bit awkward, but this wine leaves you wanting more. Look to the future. Score: 90. Reviewed April 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Ram’s Gate Ulises Valdez Silver Eagle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.54, 344 cases, $70. This vineyard is located in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley and is owned and farmed by noted viticulturist Ulises Valdez. The vines were planted in 2007 on a hillside near the town of Occidental just 6 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. Aged 11 months in 66% new French oak. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. This wine really pushes the ripeness envelope. The aromas of purple grape syrup, blackberry, anise and oak tend to be muted over time. The full-bodied core of mixed black and purple berries and the blackest cherries is sweet, syrupy and concentrated. Soft and velvety in the mouth, this wine has a firm, but not imposing tannic backbone. The finish is noticeably long and intense. A bit tiring when tasted over time with a super ripe, cooked fruit quality on display. Succulent rather than complex. Score: 88. Reviewed October 20, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Rivers-Marie Silver Eagle Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 225 cases, $50. The vineyard’s location in the northeastern part of Occidental allowed it to achieve full maturity before the rains and it shows in this wine. Aged in 40% new French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with bright aromas of dark raspberry jam, pine and spice. Soft in the mouth with mid weight flavors of black raspberries, black plums and mocha. The most concentrated wine in the 2011 lineup, with tenacious fruit that seeks out every corner of the mouth, finishing with impressive persistence. Even better later in the day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good. Reviewed May 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Sojourn Cellars Silver Eagle Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.56, 175 cases, $59. Release fall 2013. Inaugural vintage for this 30-acre vineyard farmed by Ulises Valdez that is located in the Green Valley AVA north of Occidental and at the western edge of the Sonoma Coast. Pommard clone, and Calera and Vosne-Romanee selections were sourced from a low-vigor section of the vineyard. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Frgrant with aromas of red fruit, particularly cherry, and sandalwood. An elegant wine that is light on its feet with tasty flavors of cherries, raspberries and cranberries accented with baking spice and oak. Forward, easy to drink, with plenty of pinotosity, but not enough fruit singing. A little better when tasted later in the day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Good (+). Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Rivers-Marie Silver Eagle Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc.,169 cases, $45. Aged in 40% new French oak barrels. Farmed by Ulises Valdez. Clone VR and 828. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color and hazy in the glass. Very brooding, with shy aromas of blackberry jam, black currant, and oak cask. Mid weight core of tasty black fruits backed by complimentary oak. The wine displays a soft, polished texture, balanced tannins, and a welcome cut of acidity on the finish. Very good. Reviewed May 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Three Sticks Silver Eagle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.50% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.62, 50 cases, $60. Just north of Occidental in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA. Calera selection. 70% whole cluster. Aged 14 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Super ripe fruit profile on the shy nose. Full-bodied essence of dark red cherries and berries with a prominent nutty note in the background. Balanced, modest tannins. Linear and rather closed today which could be related to the significant whole cluster. Need to spend more time with this wine. Good. Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Rivers-Marie Silver Eagle Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 86 cases, $45. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. Made with reduction so locked down since bottling. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Reduction upon opening with a heavy scent of oak-derived coffee. Medium-weighted flavors of black cherries and dark red berries with smoky oak and coffee notes in the background. Impressive elegance and softness with a bright lift of acidity on the finish. Decanting recommended. Good (+). Reviewed September 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Semper Silver Eagle Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $85. Vineyard grower and owner is Ulises Valdez. Planted to Calera selection and a Vosne-Romanée selection. · Very dark purple color in the glass. Bright aromas of ripe plum and black raspberry with a hint of graham, losing some appeal over time in the glass. Soft and seductive on the palate with prodigious fruit expression, finishing with an intense peacock tail of fruit that lingers. Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries and dark chocolate are featured and the juicy acidity brings some vibrancy to the wine. Tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine tasted of very ripe fruit, and was not as appealing. Made for consumption now. Good. Reviewed February 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Ulises Valdez Silver Eagle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., $60. Calera clone. · Deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of black plum, dark berries, spice and oak with a hint of heat. Rough hewn with slightly astringent tannins, offering full-bodied, sappy flavors of blackberries and plum reduction sauce framed by noticeable oak, finishing with some alcohol-driven warmth. Decent. Reviewed July 23, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »