We've had only a couple of bottles from this wonderful producer that weren't *excellent*- still really good, but maybe a little out of balance. This was one of them. I really enjoyed it, and in many ways it seems to have aged well, but it wasn't totally convincing.
This is a super featherlight syrah on paper (I think it was 11.8% or 11.9% ABV, insanely low especially for CA)- you wouldn't have guessed that based on the nose. It was expressive immediately - you could smell the age a little bit with some leathery notes and slightly dried fruit, but there was still nice freshness and complexity there with a burst of red and black plums alongside a sort of glazed meat/bbq/pepper beef thing (always in the background just behind the fruit.) Just a bit of olive brine, too. It was sort of a warm, rounded kind of scent with savory nuance- not the kind of super precise expression I'm used to in their wines. Just a little more muddled. Still, one could easily have blinded it as a Northern Rhone syrah with some years on it. Really had an old-world thing, especially with the leathery/meaty notes. The ripe red fruit component almost reminded me of older southern rhone, in a funny way.
The palate showed the lightness of the wine a lot more clearly - it had a really delicate feel to it, even with plenty of plum and black cherry swirling around. The tannins were totally silky, and there was certainly no trace of heat or overripe fruit - very gentle and flavorful. The acidity was the weak point; I really value the high acid in their wines, but here it was a bit too salty and sour, as though it didn't match up perfectly with the fruit. Energetic, just not completely integrated.
This was excellent to sip on, even if it didn't blow my mind with freshness and precision as their wines usually do. I have firsthand experience with other older bottles of theirs that had aged perfectly (in particular the syrah!) but I think this was probably better earlier in its lifespan. The style doesn't work as well once the fruit starts to soften and relax too much. 2009 was their second to last bottling from this vineyard - I wonder if they were having trouble getting the grapes to work perfectly in their style or something.
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I enjoyed this bottle at the home of my very good friends Masey and Tyler, with a great Indian dish prepared by the master chef himself. Decanted for an hour, consumed over the following 2 hours alongside a magnum of '15 Behrens Syrah and an '07 de la Solitude CDP.
The wine is in a very good spot right now, and although I wouldn't expect it to improve, I did not detect any signs of decline, and I think it might hold for 3-5 years. No fading at the edges, continued opening in the glass, and the last glass was as good as the first. Resolved tannins, perfect balance, just enough acidity to pair with the moderately spiced but not hot Indian food.
Liquer and current notes, Tyler thought forest and new leather. Complex harmony of flavors, ending with a decent finish. The Behrens was definitely a New World style with much more extraction and in your face fruit. The de la Solitude was traditional CDP. The AR was right in the middle. Very solid bottle.
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Tasted over 2 hrs -dark red purple, minimal clearing -olive juice faint berry liqueur -med/med+ acidity shows itself on finish, med- weight focused sour blackberry fruit profile tethered to an earthy mineral base, med tannins are a bit coarse -still no signs of overt maturity though the fruit is fading a bit, should be fine for at least a few more years though not necessarily better
Wine in the time of Corona Virus - Quarantining in NYC & NH; 3/7/2020-9/1/2020 (NYC/NH): Opened as a 3rd bottle on night 1 and I was not interested enough to finish the glass. Revisited on Day 2 and it still wasn't wowing me, seemed to be a bit thin with high acidity - not nearly as interesting as some their other Syrahs from this time period I have opened recently.
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I am a very big fan of Arnot Roberts wines generally, and have had many bottles from numerous vintages. This is the first negative experience I have had. I was a bit suspicious when the first taste, poured straight from the bottle, seemed a bit muddled with a cherry/walnut profile, but I thought perhaps some time in the decanter would bring it together. It did not. I am now home, 2 1/2 hours post opening, and this wine is not much improved. Brookie described it as Robitussin, pronounced cherry core. I am getting mostly meaty, acidic, tart flavors. Not very complimentary. My advice to anyone owning this bottle, is to pour it down the drain lest your friends turn on you.
Tasted one day after bottle opened -saturated dark purple red -dark berry smoked meat -med+/high acidity, tart dark fruit profile -a bit more rusticity than the prior bottle a year ago though this could be due to its extended air time
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Took to my Thursday blind tasting group. Very disappointing......it finished toward the bottom. Non-descript. Not aging well. Limited nose, texture, & taste. Was expecting way more from this bottle especially at this price.
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PopnPour, tasted over 2 hrs -solid ruby core purple tinge with slight clearing at edge -high-toned lifted candied red-black fruit dark berry -med+ acidity is well-integrated and shows its presence though to the finish where it leaves a slightly citrus sour note, a very fine spritz initially, lighter weight lifted energetic berry wholesome earth spice, barely present tannins leave a mildly chalky residue on the moderately long finish -very interesting with a unique textural profile that feels like a white, delicious, I'd be inclined to drink over the next 2-3 years though
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Had a bid of gas on the palate and we decanted and swirled in the decanter to get this sorted and it worked. A quite light in alc wine, 11.8%, and although rich its not a heavy and tiring wine like the Arnot-Roberts of earlier vintages (especially the cabs) which are in the 15%. If nothing else this gives a ight and at times watery feeling and Nicol who tried this blind thought of it as a modern Burgundy. Good fruit, red berries, decent amount of spice , light sweet fruit on the palate. A touch watery at times. A very interesting wine nonetheless. 88-90
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Darkly pigmented; clean shy nose at black/ blue fruit border with hints of menthol and floral notes. Green astringent tannins take over early and close the wine down on the palate. Hopefully the fruit can hang in there for the tannins to smooth. Even if a bit tart and aggressively tannic it is refreshing to see someone in the new world breaking rank and picking early (I assume) as this wine has but 11.8 etoh.
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Menthol and game on the nose, with some blackberry and black currant in the middle, and some leather, spice, and floral notes at the end. Rich and juicy on the palate, with lots of black fruit and gane, some floral notes and pepper on the mid-palate, and a good leather finish.
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Pop and pour; light, bright red color. Nose shows some menthol and fresh berries. This has a light, tart berry flavor. Some citrus notes and fresh crushed raspberries. Light in body. Finishes with tart citrus flavor.
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Almost spritzy at first so left in the decanter for a couple hours. After the spritz blew off, a beautiful red fruited medium weight wine appeared. Needs plenty of cellar time or a long decant
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beautiful ruby/crimson surprising to my friends who were expecting dark black inky syrah..... nice bouquet of raspberries, black cherries and fresh forest elements with hints of sage. tart fruit on the attack with smooth plush mid-palate supported by core of minerals and acidity. nice long finish with herbal elements hinting at high elevation fruits.... great balance of fruit, acidity that's really up my alley. kept me coming back for more.
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2/16/2024 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
We've had only a couple of bottles from this wonderful producer that weren't *excellent*- still really good, but maybe a little out of balance. This was one of them. I really enjoyed it, and in many ways it seems to have aged well, but it wasn't totally convincing.
This is a super featherlight syrah on paper (I think it was 11.8% or 11.9% ABV, insanely low especially for CA)- you wouldn't have guessed that based on the nose. It was expressive immediately - you could smell the age a little bit with some leathery notes and slightly dried fruit, but there was still nice freshness and complexity there with a burst of red and black plums alongside a sort of glazed meat/bbq/pepper beef thing (always in the background just behind the fruit.) Just a bit of olive brine, too. It was sort of a warm, rounded kind of scent with savory nuance- not the kind of super precise expression I'm used to in their wines. Just a little more muddled. Still, one could easily have blinded it as a Northern Rhone syrah with some years on it. Really had an old-world thing, especially with the leathery/meaty notes. The ripe red fruit component almost reminded me of older southern rhone, in a funny way.
The palate showed the lightness of the wine a lot more clearly - it had a really delicate feel to it, even with plenty of plum and black cherry swirling around. The tannins were totally silky, and there was certainly no trace of heat or overripe fruit - very gentle and flavorful. The acidity was the weak point; I really value the high acid in their wines, but here it was a bit too salty and sour, as though it didn't match up perfectly with the fruit. Energetic, just not completely integrated.
This was excellent to sip on, even if it didn't blow my mind with freshness and precision as their wines usually do. I have firsthand experience with other older bottles of theirs that had aged perfectly (in particular the syrah!) but I think this was probably better earlier in its lifespan. The style doesn't work as well once the fruit starts to soften and relax too much. 2009 was their second to last bottling from this vineyard - I wonder if they were having trouble getting the grapes to work perfectly in their style or something.
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9/24/2022 - Magnum PI Likes this wine: 94 Points
I enjoyed this bottle at the home of my very good friends Masey and Tyler, with a great Indian dish prepared by the master chef himself. Decanted for an hour, consumed over the following 2 hours alongside a magnum of '15 Behrens Syrah and an '07 de la Solitude CDP.
The wine is in a very good spot right now, and although I wouldn't expect it to improve, I did not detect any signs of decline, and I think it might hold for 3-5 years. No fading at the edges, continued opening in the glass, and the last glass was as good as the first. Resolved tannins, perfect balance, just enough acidity to pair with the moderately spiced but not hot Indian food.
Liquer and current notes, Tyler thought forest and new leather. Complex harmony of flavors, ending with a decent finish. The Behrens was definitely a New World style with much more extraction and in your face fruit. The de la Solitude was traditional CDP. The AR was right in the middle. Very solid bottle.
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12/22/2021 - Cote d'Or wrote:
Tasted over 2 hrs
-dark red purple, minimal clearing
-olive juice faint berry liqueur
-med/med+ acidity shows itself on finish, med- weight focused sour blackberry fruit profile tethered to an earthy mineral base, med tannins are a bit coarse
-still no signs of overt maturity though the fruit is fading a bit, should be fine for at least a few more years though not necessarily better
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5/30/2020 - retired_and_roving wrote:
Wine in the time of Corona Virus - Quarantining in NYC & NH; 3/7/2020-9/1/2020 (NYC/NH): Opened as a 3rd bottle on night 1 and I was not interested enough to finish the glass. Revisited on Day 2 and it still wasn't wowing me, seemed to be a bit thin with high acidity - not nearly as interesting as some their other Syrahs from this time period I have opened recently.
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4/26/2020 - 560 B&W Likes this wine: 92 Points
Effervescence is gone. Lovely.
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7/27/2019 - Magnum PI wrote: 87 Points
I am a very big fan of Arnot Roberts wines generally, and have had many bottles from numerous vintages. This is the first negative experience I have had. I was a bit suspicious when the first taste, poured straight from the bottle, seemed a bit muddled with a cherry/walnut profile, but I thought perhaps some time in the decanter would bring it together. It did not. I am now home, 2 1/2 hours post opening, and this wine is not much improved. Brookie described it as Robitussin, pronounced cherry core. I am getting mostly meaty, acidic, tart flavors. Not very complimentary. My advice to anyone owning this bottle, is to pour it down the drain lest your friends turn on you.
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3/21/2019 - FLI Likes this wine: 87 Points
Almost Pinot like. Light, but very flavorful. I think it would be at its best, lightly chilled, on a summer night with grilled chick or seafood.
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1/21/2019 - meistereder wrote: 79 Points
Not a fan of this. Overly acidic, thin and not structured.
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1/5/2019 - toddvh Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking well now. Softened a bit after some time in the glass. good structure and balance.
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10/6/2018 - Cote d'Or wrote:
Tasted one day after bottle opened
-saturated dark purple red
-dark berry smoked meat
-med+/high acidity, tart dark fruit profile
-a bit more rusticity than the prior bottle a year ago though this could be due to its extended air time
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6/25/2018 - papabluez wrote: 88 Points
Took to my Thursday blind tasting group. Very disappointing......it finished toward the bottom. Non-descript. Not aging well. Limited nose, texture, & taste. Was expecting way more from this bottle especially at this price.
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11/29/2017 - Cote d'Or Likes this wine:
PopnPour, tasted over 2 hrs
-solid ruby core purple tinge with slight clearing at edge
-high-toned lifted candied red-black fruit dark berry
-med+ acidity is well-integrated and shows its presence though to the finish where it leaves a slightly citrus sour note, a very fine spritz initially, lighter weight lifted energetic berry wholesome earth spice, barely present tannins leave a mildly chalky residue on the moderately long finish
-very interesting with a unique textural profile that feels like a white, delicious, I'd be inclined to drink over the next 2-3 years though
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10/26/2017 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 90 Points
Demure, restrained Syrah. Graphite, icy minerality, Black cherry and blackberry fruit. Austere for a new world Syrah- will appeal to the AFWE crowd.
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6/20/2017 - 560 B&W Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP. A touch of effervescence and delightful lift. Picked early, it seems, given the site. 11.8%
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7/10/2016 - glou.sf Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great nose with violets, pepper, dark berries, and leather. Present tannins with blackberries and medium acidity. Nice lingering finish.
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5/8/2016 - Papies wrote: 89 Points
Had a bid of gas on the palate and we decanted and swirled in the decanter to get this sorted and it worked. A quite light in alc wine, 11.8%, and although rich its not a heavy and tiring wine like the Arnot-Roberts of earlier vintages (especially the cabs) which are in the 15%. If nothing else this gives a ight and at times watery feeling and Nicol who tried this blind thought of it as a modern Burgundy. Good fruit, red berries, decent amount of spice , light sweet fruit on the palate. A touch watery at times. A very interesting wine nonetheless. 88-90
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2/20/2016 - mogadore wrote: flawed
disgusting and sour. had to throw it out.
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12/19/2015 - ToddS wrote:
Hideous. Sour and unripe. RR got this one right. IWC was high on something.
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12/23/2012 - Tgood wrote: 90 Points
Darkly pigmented; clean shy nose at black/ blue fruit border with hints of menthol and floral notes. Green astringent tannins take over early and close the wine down on the palate. Hopefully the fruit can hang in there for the tannins to smooth. Even if a bit tart and aggressively tannic it is refreshing to see someone in the new world breaking rank and picking early (I assume) as this wine has but 11.8 etoh.
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7/1/2012 - mmurry Likes this wine: 94 Points
Menthol and game on the nose, with some blackberry and black currant in the middle, and some leather, spice, and floral notes at the end. Rich and juicy on the palate, with lots of black fruit and gane, some floral notes and pepper on the mid-palate, and a good leather finish.
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12/20/2011 - t_moderne wrote: 88 Points
Pop and pour; light, bright red color. Nose shows some menthol and fresh berries. This has a light, tart berry flavor. Some citrus notes and fresh crushed raspberries. Light in body. Finishes with tart citrus flavor.
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12/9/2011 - miller3324 wrote:
Almost spritzy at first so left in the decanter for a couple hours. After the spritz blew off, a beautiful red fruited medium weight wine appeared. Needs plenty of cellar time or a long decant
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11/5/2011 - freddyhan wrote: 93 Points
beautiful ruby/crimson surprising to my friends who were expecting dark black inky syrah..... nice bouquet of raspberries, black cherries and fresh forest elements with hints of sage. tart fruit on the attack with smooth plush mid-palate supported by core of minerals and acidity. nice long finish with herbal elements hinting at high elevation fruits.... great balance of fruit, acidity that's really up my alley. kept me coming back for more.
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4/2/2011 - alanr wrote: 90 Points
Rhone Rangers San Francisco 2010 (Fort Mason): On the leaner side, with dark red fruit, some tartness on the finish, needs some bottle time to judge better.
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