Idaho wine is on the rise as Rivaura is one of the most scenic spots you will find in the Pacific Northwest. Set on a stunning riverfront location just outside of Lewiston, Idaho, on the Clearwater River, it was back in 2014 that Rivaura founders Ron Hewett, Sr., along with his sons Ron, Jr., and Reece Hewett, founded this winery. For more than 60 years, this family has grown up along the banks of the Clearwater River in the Lewis-Clark Valley, just a tad east of Lewiston, Idaho at Arrow near Juliaetta, Idaho.
Prior to stating their winery the Hewetts talked to Kevin Pogue, PhD, RG, of VinTerra Consulting based in Walla Walla, Washington. Dr. Pogue's noted "The Rivaura vineyards are ideally situated to grow grapes to make superb wines.” Touring the vineyards I was very impressed with the vine health and the location in close proximity to the river which serves as a mitigating factor.
I am so impressed with the new wines by Rivaura. Billo Naravane, MW, of Rasa Vineyards fame, has crafted another outstanding range of wines for Rivaura, coming from the 2020 vintage. A killer value is the 2020 Rivaura ‘River Ranch Red’ Red Wine (OB, 91) which shows good richness and flavor complexity. I adored the new 2020 Rivaura ‘Reserve’ Syrah (OB, 93) which shows very unique terroir and plenty of dense dark fruits with savory notes. This is delicious wine to consume now and over the next ten years. Learn more about this really exciting new Idaho wine project at rivaura.com and here are my reviews of the new Rivaura wines.
2020 Rivaura ‘River Ranch Red’ Red Wine- Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, this was stored in 30% new French oak before bottling. The nose shows garrigue notes with rich dark fruits and chocolate fudge accents. The palate is soft and gratifying with serious tension and texture. This is nothing short of a sensational value at 30 dollars retail. Drink 2022-2029- 91
2020 Rivaura Petit Verdot- The 2020 Rivaura Petit Verdot shows off beautiful black florals with black currants, cigar box and green olive notes. The palate is plush and dense with serious texture and a sterling underlying tension. Finishing long with black fruits and minerals, this is gorgeous, generous wine that is already beautifully evolved. Drink 2022-2030- 93
2020 Rivaura Malbec- Stored in roughly 30% new French oak, the 2020 Malbec delivers black rose petals with anise, exotic spices and shades of boysenberry coulis. The palate is soft and beautifully textured, with a strong underlying tension. Flinty and stony undertones combine with a deep core of dark fruits on the palate. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2020 Rivaura Cabernet Sauvignon- 100% varietal, this was stored for 18 months in roughly 49% new French oak before bottling. Anise and dark currants combine with blackberry compote on the nose. The palate shows serious finesse with stony undertones alongside rich dark fruits and chocolate undertones. Drink 2022-2034- 92
2020 Rivaura ‘Reserve’ Syrah- Coming from a low-yielding hillside site, the 2020 ‘Reserve’ Syrah is 100% varietal wine that is very inky in the glass. The aromatic range shows beautiful black rose petals with garrigue, wet stone and shades of black olive tapenade. This shows power and precision with serious flavor density and bright acidity holding everything in place. Drink 2022-2033- 93
2020 Rivaura ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Franc- The 2020 ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Franc shows beautiful florals on the nose with blackberry compote and shades of wild herbs. The palate is soft and inviting with a great mineral backbone. Deep and concentrated with a rich core of black currants, blackberry pie and garrigue, this is beautiful wine to enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2033- 93
2020 Rivaura ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from the north blocks of the vineyard, this is a selection of three clones. Aged for 18 months in 55% new French oak, this delivers cigar box, black currant jelly and cigar box notes that all meld in the glass. This is very seamless Cabernet Sauvignon that is texturally gratifying. Enjoy this beauty over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2035- 93
2020 Rivaura ‘Insomniac’ Red Wine- This comes from the south block of the Rivaura Vineyard and is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Aged in 55% new French oak for eighteen months before bottling, this will be released in spring 2023. Herbal and wild on the nose, this evokes suggestions of sagebrush, black cherry cordial and cigar ash that combine with suggestions of graphite. This is very seamless and elegant throughout the drinking experience. Drink 2022-2035- 93