March 2, 2018 - Upon opening, had a very promising nose. But seemed to lose something with a 1.5 hour decant and additional 2 hours of slow ox. Quite a bit of acid, picked up some eucalyptus. A nice wine, but I have to wonder if it would have been better pop n pour.
March 1, 2018 - A Mixed Bag at St. Genevieve (St. Genevieve, Mpls, MN): Same bottle as JCGuthrie. 1.5hr decant with additional air. This was bigger yet, blackberry, cassis, spearmint, some heat, very big on the palate, with sharpness and bold tannins.
November 30, 2017 - Pop and pour. Followed for an inital 4 hours, then recorked and refrigerated. Will check again later.
Deep purple color.
Nose offers plum, cassis, and an inviting cigar box element. Lead pencil, cedar and tobacco.
Wonderful flavors of plum, cherry, and herbs. Long finish. Well balanced.
Reminds me of a nice Pauillac.
Elegant and inviting, with good grip and much depth. Delicious.
This wine has the structure to age but this is so delicious now, so why wait.
May 13, 2016 - I don't know what to make of this wine. Comments from people more experienced with the Arnot-Roberts cabs are welcome (including any folks at the winery if they read this). I don't know whether this wine needs another 5 years or is already declining?
Decanted 1 hour then poured back in bottle and consumed over the following 3 hours. Hugely promising nose out of the gate-I’d probably mistake it blind for a good quality modern-styled Bordeaux--but it was a little thin on the palate (although with good complexity). As the night continued the nose remained intense but the wine shut down/declined rapidly on the palate, eventually becoming disjointed with very high acid, almost no mid-palate and a clipped finish that was tannic and relatively flavorless. I've had many wines shut down in the glass--a reliable indication that they have good aging potential and simply need more time--but rarely have I had a wine shut down on the palate while the nose remained intense. More often than not in my experience this pattern suggests a wine is coming apart and won't improve. But I know Arnot-Roberts does things differently so just don't know what to make of this wine. Anyone have a more informed perspective? I'm trying to decide whether to buy it again.
August 17, 2015 - 13.7% abv. Dark ruby. Focused and concentrated claret aromas and favors. Excellent depth and length. A bit of a tannic edge tells me that this wine continues on the ascent. Very nice to drink right now, however!
October 25, 2014 - 13.7% abv. Medium dark ruby. Expressive and penetrating claret aromas. On the palate cassis, leather and a little minty spice. Flavored are intense, but show finesse and balance. Great depth, nice and long. Excellent now and will improve.
August 7, 2012 - Dark garnet, almost opaque, long lasting legs, aroma of fresh cherries, freezer jam, with a hint of dusty pepper, pure fruit taste with an amazing smooth rich rolling feel, deep tannins containing the acid, very broad on the tongue with a tangy finish. Different aromas and flavors with each sip: heath, glue, pure delicious juice, espresso.
July 26, 2012 - Bay leaf and a savoriness on the nose. Fruit too. Black and brambly fruit. Pronouced nose. Quick palate, just opened, short finish. Opening up. We shall see.
April 28, 2012 - Visit to Arnot-Roberts (Arnot-Roberts, Sonoma, CA): Ripe blackberry and cassis nose. Medium to full bodied with medium acidity. Black plum and blackberry fruit is a bit deeper than the Fellom Ranch and moderate tannins provide significantly more structure. Really tasty but probably better in a few years.