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Red
2008 Arkenstone Obsidian
Red Bordeaux Blend
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
- Howell Mountain
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Community Tasting Notes 16
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J o e wrote: 94 points
February 2, 2024 - Deep ruby red. This was quite the revelation! Last time I opened one of these (about 5 years ago) I remember it being in a very awkward phase, full of oak and very ripe fruit. At the time, I was uncertain whether the wine will ever come into balance and evolve into something as promising as the beautiful—albeit embryonic—elixir that I tasted at the winery so many years ago. Well, if this bottle is any indication, it sure has evolved into a beautiful Cabernet. There are aromas of cassis, licorice, iris and even a touch of leather and mint. There is ample fruit on the medium- to full-bodied palate, with dark fruit and earth cascading across the palate much more gently, underpinned by good acidity and much more gentle, though still present, tannins. Drinking very well now, but I see no reason to doubt that it will hold for a good decade. 14.5% ABV not noticeable. An excellent Obsidian! 94.
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Mneumeier Likes this wine: 92 points
May 5, 2023 - Just right now is the time. PnP.
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Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine: 95 points
March 4, 2023 - Drinking beautifully here with that intertwined dark fruit and stone/terroir. Enjoy soon!
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Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine: 96 points
February 22, 2021 - Great bottle that’s drinking perfectly for the juice. Balanced between mature fruit and secondary nuances really open and full. Tertiary are also well formed, so you’ve got big purple fruit with a blast of graphite, farmyard and CaCO3 against some truffle. Decant for an hour.
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Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine:
June 14, 2020 - Drinking beautifully with soft decanting and thirty minutes. Expressive wine with volcanic soil and dark red and purple fruit. Tertiary nuances coming in as well with spice and forest floor.
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More notes
Wine Definition
- Vintage 2008
- Type Red
- Producer Arkenstone
- Varietal Red Bordeaux Blend
- Designation Obsidian
- Vineyard n/a
- Country USA
- Region California
- SubRegion Napa Valley
- Appellation Howell Mountain
Community Holdings
- Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
- In Cellars 198 (45%)
- Consumed 238 (55%)
Food Pairing
No food pairings available.
Who Likes This Wine
100% Like It 6 votes
More About This Wine
Articles
- ProducerArkenstone
- VarietyRed Bordeaux Blend
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionNapa Valley
- AppellationHowell Mountain
Add Articles
- Wine2008 Arkenstone Obsidian (add)
- FamilyArkenstone Obsidian (add)
- ProducerArkenstone
- VarietalRed Bordeaux Blend
- DesignationObsidian (add)
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionNapa Valley
- AppellationHowell Mountain