Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga 2023

Thomas Rivers Brown stands as arguably the most sought-after consulting winemaker in California, crafting some of the most highly rated, powerful wines for elite producers across Napa and Sonoma.

However, the true expression of his personal philosophy is found in Rivers-Marie, the project he runs with his wife, Genevieve. Launched in 2002 with a tiny batch of wine from the legendary Summa Vineyard, Rivers-Marie focuses on site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet.

While his client work often emphasizes immense structure, the Rivers-Marie wines represent a crucial stylistic departure, favoring restraint and elegance over overt power, which allows the clarity of the vineyard site to truly shine through. This restrained style is achieved through an almost minimalist approach in the cellar. Thomas prefers to pick on the earlier side when flavors and textures are developed but the acidity remains bright, and he employs native yeast and judicious use of whole cluster fermentation to build complex, savory layers.