2021 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Fermented and raised in used barrels, the medium yellow 2021 Chardonnay is lively and energetic with bright aromas of lemon zest, flinty crushed rock, fresh flowers, and yellow apple. Medium-bodied, with good concentration in its notes of fresh pineapple, saline, and ripe peach, it’s a very approachable and attractive wine with great value to drink over the next few years. Owned by Thomas Rivers Brown and Genevieve Marie Welsh and based in Calistoga, Rivers Marie specializes in single varietal, single vineyard expressions of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. One of Sonoma's most prolific winemakers and consultants, Thomas Rivers Brown grew up in South Carolina and later went on to work at Turley before carving his own path forward. I met with Thomas and Will Segui, the assistant winemaker, at the Calistoga winery this May to taste the wines for this report. Having been hit incredibly hard in 2020, their 2021s are showing even better than I could have anticipated from last year’s barrel samples. These are some of the best wines I have ever tasted from Rivers Marie, with exceptional balance and finesse.