Community Tasting Notes 10

• 560 B&W Likes this wine: 91 points

  June 5, 2018 - PnP with pork. Very interesting but past its prime, imo. 11.5%

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• BigEast55 wrote: 93 points

  March 8, 2014 - Very excellent wine, superb balance. Nose with the obvious berries of any syrah (primarily blueberry), secondary smoke, venison, and pumice. Delicious on the mouth, blueberry predominates, but some amazing secondary hues of smoked venison that are just incredible. Moderate tannins that are incredibly smooth. Awesome wine.

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• Why Yes wrote: 93 points

  April 9, 2011 - 11.5% alcohol?!?! per the label. Cool and, erm, cool.
  
  Awesome wine.
  
  The nose presents itself with all the typical notes that have become synonymous with the low alcohol Syrah movement in the cooler climes of Sonoma County. I first encountered a nose of this type with Pax's first Majik bottling, which was just TOO brambly, bright and edgy for my palate. This A-R Clary is more refined and less abrasive. The nose is all about whole cluster fermentation, bright, floral, woodsy, bright and floral (yes, I typed that twice on purpose). White flowers are the lasting impression here.
  
  The palate is SO fresh and light, with nothing to weigh it down or distract from its lift. I expected pepper but arrived at flowers (lilacs, lily of the valley), along with tobacco leaves, herbs de provence and thyme. Most notably, however, is how damn fruity this wine is! Not the juicy, jammy fruit of the cultier Syrahs, but a crisp, pure, firm profile of fruit. No compote here. Deep,dark blackberries, that are still firm to the touch, and require a small tug to get off the bush.
  
  Rumors had this wine being the opposite of my experience. The rumors were wrong, they definitely got this one right. I would guess little new oak, and 100% whole cluster from smell and taste, but don't know for sure. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

  Comment

• ashegedyn wrote: 91 points

  January 18, 2011 - Disconcerting nose at first: horsehair, sandalwood predominating. Over time it opens up: perfumed blackberry, menthol and sandalwood. Subtle hint of pepper as well. On taste, very nicely balanced fruit: blackberry, blueberry, a bit of fine chalk. Very fine tannins smooth as silk with a delicious long finish. Very enjoyable Syrah from California worth the money. Much lighter body than the typical Syrah from California which in my book is more enjoyable and drinkable.

  Comment

• vanpe003 wrote: 87 points

  December 21, 2010 - Popped/poured. This along with Bedrock are relatively new wineries for me. Also opened this evening was a 2008 Bedrock Syrah Pleine de Chene Hudson Vineyard. A tale of two very different California Syrah.
  
  This one is very old world to me, with fruit bordering on delicate and noticeable stems, all balanced with fairly bracing acidity and soft tannins on the finish. The acidity and stems remind me a bit of some red burgundies in their youth. I'd like to see this in a few years, working under the assumption that the acidity would further integrate into the wine and this would develop a little more elegance and richness. It seems to have the right raw materials. It pays to be careful though....if you're opening this with the thought of having a prototypical California syrah, you will likely be disappointed. 87 points for current drinking, it will be interesting to see how this develops.

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Pro Reviews 5

Wine Definition

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

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 30 (50%)
• Consumed 30 (50%)

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