The vineyard of scenic Riverbench in the Santa Maria Valley AVA.

Riverbench is a Santa Maria, CA winery focused on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine. The wines have been steadily improving under winemaker Clarissa Nagy who joined the winery just a few years ago. In general, the wines are lithe, expressive and pretty. It’s a must-stop if you’re tasting around the Santa Maria Valley AVA.

For a bit more, see my article about this winery at PlanetGrape.com.

2013 Riverbench Blanc de Blancs “Cork Jumper” Santa Maria Valley 91pts 12.5% 750ml $40
Tiny bubbles and golden apple, yeasty bread and lemon pitch aromas. Lightly creamy palate with green apple, lemon pitch and strongly mineral finish.

2012 Riverbench Blanc de Noirs “Cork Jumper” Santa Maria Valley 93+pts 12.5% 750ml $45
Pale peach in the glass, scents of white raspberry and apple. Creamy mousse and very long flavors of mineral, toast, white raspberry and under-ripe strawberry. Crisp but with lasting, chalky texture. Remarkable.

2014 Riverbench Chardonnay “Bedrock” Stainless Steel Santa Maria Valley 91pts 12.0% 750ml $24
Medium bodied and fresh with green apple, lemon pith, yogurt and mineral. Very light, chalky texture. One of the better and most complex un-oaked California Chardonnays I’ve tasted, and a good value.

2013 Riverbench Chardonnay Reserve Santa Maria Valley 92pts 13.4% 750ml $32
Generously aromatic with smokey mineral, toast and grilled pear. Nearly full-bodied and creamy in the mouth but chalky and fresh. Flavors of poached pear, saffron and mineral.

2013 Riverbench Pinot Noir Pommard Santa Maria Valley 94pts 13.7% 750ml $46
Red cherry, delicate spice, dried rose and dried tangerine peel. Mouth-filling but agile, juicy and very long. Very fine, chalky tannins.

2013 Riverbench Pinot Noir 115 Santa Maria Valley 92pts 14.2% 750ml $46
Cranberry, pomegranate and floral aromas rise to greet you. Medium+ body, generous acidity and fine chalky tannins on the palate. Moist earth and forest floor complement the pomegranate and cranberry. Long finish.

2013 Riverbench Pinot Noir “Mesa” Santa Maria Valley 93pts 14.1% 750ml $48
Rich cherry, loads of spice, and dried flowers on the nose and full-bodied palate. Long, well-balanced by acidity and very fine, chalky tannins.

Copyright Fred Swan 2016. Photo Credit: Jeremy Ball of Bottle Branding. All rights reserved.