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 Vintage2005 Label 1 of 14 
TypeRed
ProducerArcadian (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
VineyardPisoni Vineyard
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionCentral Coast
AppellationSanta Lucia Highlands

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2013 and 2021 (based on 7 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 91.4 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 70 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by pjhr on 11/27/2023 & rated 93 points: Delicious red raspberry and sour cherry aromas and flavors with savory and earthy notes culminating in a long finish with refreshing acidity. Still drinking young? (466 views)
 Tasted by decaturwinedude on 10/15/2023 & rated 92 points: Big Arcadian Tasting in ATL Part II, With Joe Davis (1998-2005); 10/15/2023-10/16/2023: Joe said this was his favorite vintage and one his favorite Pisoni's he's produced. As with the last bottle from 2017, there's a really silky texture to this wine. Fine on the palate. It still shows it's youth. Lot of power in reserve, Fresh fruit. Joe says try in 5+ years. (735 views)
 Tasted by Diane (LI) on 7/15/2023: This isn’t going to go anywhere but down from here. More savory than sweet. The nose is Pine Bros cough drops and earth. The palate is cherry, licorice, and earth. Good acidity and a moderate finish. (854 views)
 Tasted by brigcampbell on 4/3/2023: Blind. I thought this was Pinot noir, Rhy and with age, like 2009.

Little bougie on the nose and a touch of brett. Red Apple and a lot of dried cherries on the attack. Mid palate was straight up red berry flavors and there was a drying note at the finish (1137 views)
 Tasted by grafstrb on 9/20/2022 & rated 93 points: -- decanted 1 hr. before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over 3.25 hrs --

NOSE: raspberry Twizzlers licorice; high-toned; red-fruited, but now smelling somewhat aged; hints of pine needle, baked red fruits, and automotive grease; open and expressive.

BODY: garnet color of medium-deep depth -- youthful color for a 17 yo wine; medium bodied.

TASTE: earthy red fruits; clean; a bit waterier than the NOSE suggested; touch of auto grease; seemed to start filling-in about 1.5 hrs after opening; seemed to build, and then die, in the glass; clean (no brett); maybe already in its prime window, as it's drinking very well right now.

50, 5, 13, 17, 8 = 93 (1157 views)
 Tasted by WoodieBayArea on 8/28/2022 & rated 92 points: this was right down the middle (but not a giant in your face CA pinot)... good fruit and nice but without much complexity / secondary flavors... good QPR at $67 (incl tax) (962 views)
 Tasted by pjhr on 5/9/2022 & rated 92 points: Red raspberry and cherry aromas and flavors with layers of earthy notes culminating in a tasty finish. (947 views)
 Tasted by DougLee on 10/20/2021 & rated 92 points: Ruby hue. Nose of plum pits, violets, earth, anise. Lovely slightly tart red berry fruit cut with iron, iodine, and fine earth on the palate. Lively acidity and still structured tannin. Long finish of red and black raspberry with echoes of iron. Half bottle. Consumed at Willow Creek Campground in Willow Beach, AZ. (1258 views)
 Tasted by Burgundy Al on 8/15/2020 & rated 90 points: Popped-and-poured, then enjoyed over two hours. Started slowly, then more and more emerged with more air time. Complex array of red and blue berries on nose and palate with licorice, roasted meat, and floral notes gradually emerging over time. Good now, with no urgency to drink up. Good weight, better balance. (2440 views)
 Tasted by DougLee on 7/30/2020 & rated 91 points: Darker ruby. Nose of damp cellar, raspberry, violets, deep soil. Layers of tart black cherry, black raspberry, rocky earth, and iron on the palate. Bracing acidity and firm tannin. Long finish of sustained black raspberry fruit cut with grip and stone. Beautiful with grilled salmon. Half bottle. (1536 views)
 Tasted by jreis on 6/27/2020: Spicy creosote, black cherry and forest floor on a young lively nose. Still a young wine on the palate with coiled blackberry fruit, lots of acidity and a long crisp finish. Lovely wine, it should pick up more complexity with some more time in the cellar. I won’t open another for 3-5 years. (1581 views)
 Tasted by DougLee on 2/16/2020 & rated 92 points: Dark ruby. Nose of damp cellar, forest floor, anise, raspberry, earth. Layers of deeply-pitched plum and black raspberry fruit on the palate accompanied by brier, iron, and earth with verve and gravitas. Moderate acidity and still-firm tannin, leading to a long finish of raspberry fruit and brambles. Excellent showing with years of peaceful evolution in store. From a 375. (1693 views)
 Tasted by Broch6833 on 2/16/2020 & rated 93 points: I am smitten with this wine. I can't think of a domestic Pinot I've enjoyed more. Impeccably balanced -- there's fruit, savory notes, acidity, fine tannins, and not a stitch out of place. The tart cherry finish lasts for a ridiculous time. Plenty of life left on it, but there's no reason not to drink now.

Usually I'm a little sad when I finish my last bottle of a good wine, but this gave me so much pleasure, I can't even miss its passing. (1409 views)
 Tasted by DougLee on 5/28/2019 & rated 92 points: Opened while glamping in the camper van in Reed Point, MT to accompany charcoal grilled Copper River sockeye. Ruby color. Nose of dark raspberry, cherry pits, violets, schist, damp cellar. Layers of iodine, black cherry, raspberry, iron particles, and brambles on the textured palate. Ample acidity and smoothed tannin. Long finish of dark mulberry fruit, iron, and iodine. Lovely stuff. From a 375. (1553 views)
 Tasted by Diane (LI) on 4/13/2019: I stopped buying these several years ago after having some duds. This one did not disappoint. Bitter cherry, licorice, minerals, with a sweetness on the lengthy finish. I don't usually care for any showing of sweetness but this mixed nicely with the savory quality. (1548 views)
 Tasted by MC2 Wines on 10/27/2018: This surprised me a bit since I'm not always a fan of Cali Pinot. This was quite nice. Opened and decanted. Lots of the more herbal and spicy notes on the nose and on the palate. Fruit was in the background, but good too. Enjoyable wine. (1831 views)
 Tasted by miadelt on 7/8/2018 & rated 91 points: Very delicate and nuanced pinot. Missing some intensity. Noted slight stem flavors on the finish. (1911 views)
 Tasted by decaturwinedude on 8/8/2017 & rated 93 points: Big Arcadian Tasting in ATL (1997-2008) (Antico Posta): Again, there's a really brilliant texture to this wine. Fine on the palate. Its bigger than some of the other pinots on the table and clearly shows its youth. There's a good bit of acidity, the wine is nicely balanced. I'd like to try again a few years. Promising. (3037 views)
 Tasted by John O' on 4/15/2017: beautiful (2552 views)
 Tasted by WoodieBayArea on 11/20/2016 & rated 91 points: super nice Arcadian, sweet textured med (not dark, not light / bright) red fruits, fruitier than I sometimes get from Arcadian, but also had some light spices and pretty good acid (especially for a Cali pinot), this was a bit more full bodied than the best Arcadian pinots I've had but still great and certainly would wow the crowd, I think this has five more years of evolution as well (3037 views)
 Tasted by rjdoan on 11/19/2016 & rated 92 points: Aging very well. Exceptionally smooth with a great nose and complex flavors. Some strawberry and darker fruits. (2588 views)
 Tasted by scorrea on 8/16/2016 & rated 91 points: Beautiful nose of red dried fruits. It is a big flavorful wine but this time around I found it one dimensional. (2773 views)
 Tasted by AllRed on 5/1/2016 & rated 94 points: Courtesy of m/m slipstitchpass, this was a real stunner. decanted for a brief time, the bouquet exploded from the glass with notes of cherry and clove, red berry fruit, rose and lavender. There was a dominant funky/earthy overtone that I absolutely loved- it was a powerful note that at times was front and center but at other times let the other aromas come forward. I could have kept my nose in the glass all night. The palate is medium in body with flavors of earth, red fruit, spice and dried flowers. It is balanced and, I cannot believe I am saying this about Pisoni fruit, elegant. Lingering finish. An absolute joy and if this bottle is representative, will drink well for quite a few more years. Thanks, slip! (2759 views)
 Tasted by mklein86 on 5/1/2016 & rated 94 points: One of the best Cali pinots I've had. Beautiful balance and drinking well right now, but I suspect it has a few more good years left. Gorgeous funk right when we pulled the cork and a huge nose I couldn't keep my nose out of. Black fruits with subtle spice and persistent funk. Not light, but more in check than a typical Pisoni. Just fabulous. (2177 views)
 Tasted by Charlie Carnes on 3/19/2016: This scared me at first. It was totally funky and gave dark brown impressions. Then, amazingly, it snapped out of its haze, and turned pretty, with dark red and black Pisoni fruit. It is a pretty big wine but still maintains a lightweight punch. Very nice with much upside! (2211 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Allen Meadows
Burghound, 4th Quarter, 2008, Issue #32
(Arcadian Winery Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard Red) Subscribe to see review text.
By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, November/December 2007, IWC Issue #135
(Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands) Subscribe to see review text.
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/18/2011)
(Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard) Hibiscus, rosehips nose; light, tart cranberry, hibiscus, rosehips, mineral palate; medium-plus finish  91 points
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/25/2010)
(Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard) Earthy, mineral nose; savory, tart red fruit, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts.  90 points
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (8/23/2009)
(Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard) Brett on nose; brett, tart cherry palate with good acidity; medium finish  90 points
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/28/2008)
(Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard) Medium cherry red color; tart strawberry and barnyard, bretty nose; narrow, yet over-concentrated, overripe red fruit; I would have taken it for a Cotes du Rhone or Gigondas from a ripe year rather than a Pinot if this had been a double blind tasting, as it had no discernable Pinot varietal character; medium finish (possibly a flawed bottle, but the flaw, other than brett, wasn't obvious; it received only one vote out of 70 or more tasters as wine of the flight of 4, and the new assistant winemaker on hand said "I hope it doesn't represent Arcadian"; in barrel for 22 mos.)  79 points
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/30/2007)
(Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard) Light red color; sappy tart cherry and rhubarb nose; tasty, tart cherry with herbal notes, good acidity; medium-plus finish 91+ pts.  91 points
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Burghound and Vinous and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Arcadian

Producer website

Inspired by the great traditions of Burgundian winemaking, Joseph Davis has been making Arcadian Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah in California's Central Coast region since 1996. Using French artisan methods and hands-on vineyard management, Joe's Arcadian label consistently receives high marks from the world's most respected wine writers. Following his gut instinct allows him the complete realization of his dream and his mission remains to make wines that fully express the uniqueness of the vineyard and the region while capturing the voluptuous flavor of the grape and the kiss of cool California breezes and warm sunshine. Traditionally, Joe harvests fruit with much more modest sugar levels and much higher natural acidity than many of his fellow growers. The belief that Arcadian wines will continue to evolve in the bottle for years to come and that this continued evolution will ultimately produce a much more interesting wine is what drives Arcadian's--and Joe's---philosophy of winegrowing.

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

Pisoni Vineyard

Vineyard: Many wineries make wine from Gary Pisoni's vineyard. Here's a Wines & Vines article specifically on the vineyard.
From Kosta Browne Winery
Perched at an altitude of 1,300 feet, Pisoni FALL Vineyard, the brain child of Gary Pisoni, overlooks the Salinas Valley to the east. People told Gary grapes would never grow in this location. The determined Gary proved them all worng and has successfully displayed what the site can produce in the world-class wine coming from this special place. Because the valley opens to Monterey Bay, cold fog intrudes from the Pacific Ocean, blanketing the valley on a daily basis. The fog and prevailing ocean winds make the mountain estate one of the coolest growing regions in the state. The 45 vineyard acres at Pisoni Vineyard are divided into small blocks that follow the contours of the mountains. The lean, decomposed-granite soils are very well drained, stressing the vines and forcing their roots deep into the earth in search of water and nutrients. More than 85% of the land remains in its natural state of native grasses, Coastal Live Oaks and prolific wildlife. In 2008, we were generously offered two and a quarter tons of fruit from this highly coveted vineyard. In 2009 we received just a bit more. We have a wonderful relationship with the Pisoni family and are honored to work with their prized vineyard and look forward to making this wine for many years to come.
©2012 Kosta Browne Winery

Exact position on weinlagen-info

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

California

2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson

Central Coast

http://www.ccwinegrowers.org/links.html

http://www.discovercaliforniawines.com/regional-wine-organizations/

http://beveragetradenetwork.com/en/btn-academy/list-of-winegrowers-association-in-central-coast-california-274.htm

Central Coast AVA Wikipedia

Santa Lucia Highlands

Appellation: Wine Artisans of Santa Lucia Highlands | Winegeeks article
AVA Website

 
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