Community Tasting Notes 12

• sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 96 points

  February 8, 2019 - Was hesitant to buy this as I thought the A.R. Trousseau was highly overrated (edited years later to add- I now love that wine)- but incredibly glad I did. VERY very much Northern Rhone in character, like a fresh St. Joesph in particular; blackberry, violets, lavender, pepper, black olive and mint, plus a tiny meaty note with a sweetness to it- think brown-sugared bacon (this meaty note blew off after some time in a decanter- I wish it hadn't.) Nice stemmy aromas but with present fruit. The oak is practically absent- I think they use a touch of it. If there's any oak character at all, it's a tiny milk chocolate note which frankly also disappeared quickly.
  
  The northern rhone character is heightened by the incredibly light palate, with surprisingly acidic, tart fruit, way more so than the most acidic pinot noir I've ever tasted. Less of the "saline" character of a french syrah and more barely-ripe blackberry/mulberry acid, some red fruit such as cranberry. Because of this, it really does need food- I'm not one to insist on enjoying good wine with food except in cases such as this. I've had other well-made Rhone-like, acidic California Syrah (thinking of Vollmond, for one), but none as delicious or complex as this.
  
  Really good stuff- awesome secondary notes, but drink soon before the fruit fades entirely. Hope to try some other A.R. now. I paid $30 for this but have seen it for $40- I'd probably knock off a point if I'd paid that much, but wouldn't feel it was too expensive.

  Comment

• MikeATL Likes this wine: 92 points

  November 25, 2017 - Menthol meaty black fruit with great acidity, the kind of Syrah that used to be more common in the Northern Rhone. It reminds me of Rhys Horseshoe Syrah, which is a good thing.

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• 560 B&W Likes this wine: 92 points

  September 14, 2015 - PnP. In its prime but has a couple more years. Better on day 2. 12.4%

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• pgb67 wrote: 93 points

  May 22, 2012 - This hit my syrah sweetspot, finding a nice blend of California fruit (juicy, citrusy, with a hint of tartness) and Rhonish earthiness (minerals, stones, bacon). Good stuffing and interesting mouthfeel that bounced between earthy and juicy. Good value too.

  Comment

• defnefferson wrote: 90 points

  February 16, 2012 - A little floral action, a little meatiness, and a slight woodiness on the nose. On the palate I get plum, some dark cherry and dried herbs. The finish is dry with a bit of taught minerality. Good stuff.

  Comment

Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2008
• Type Red
• Producer Arnot-Roberts
• Varietal Syrah
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion North Coast
• Appellation North Coast

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 33 (46%)
• Consumed 38 (54%)

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