Decanted about 20 minutes, drank half the bottle over 2 hours. This bottle had more brett than the last one 2 years ago. A funky and northern rhone-like syrah, but the brett was detracting on this one.
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This had some brett that mostly blew off. I should have decanted it, at least 30 minutes. What remains is a vibrant red-fruited earthy and somewhat light (for California standards) syrah which brings a tear to my eye, that Arcadian no longer exists. I don't know what else to say, not their best, but pretty darn good and you'd never know it came from California. My 6th of 10 bottles.
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Syrah is my favorite varietal, and this is among the top 2-3 Syrahs I’ve ever had. Color is deeply opaque with violet center fading to a straw rim. Fragrant nose of meat, scorched earth, tobacco, iris, floral levity. Palate is similar, dark purple and black fruit, fresh and robust and earthy at the same time. This is unlike any wine I’ve ever tried. An exceptional experience.
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My 4th of 10 bottles, and as good or the best one yet. Wow, these Arcadian syrahs become complex and profound like a CDP. There is a vegetal scorched earth aspect to this one. My hats off to Arcadian for making a wine of this caliber from California in a very hot vintage of 2007.
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Day 1: Rockstar!!! Funk, menthol, gravel, raspberries, rose petals and exotic spices. Medium plus finish. Wonderful! This wine is in its sweet spot. Drink now to 2022. 94 points
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This is awesome right now. Had a couple of glasses decanted for maybe 30min. While I would not say the same for Pinots, I really do appreciate some age with syrahs. Flavors have integrated well and tannins have mellowed out a little bit. This is drinking great right now.
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Pop and pour, this needed 30 minutes+ to integrate and for some brett to blow off, which thankfully it did. This wine is clearly in the traditional Arcadian style, and to me, the ripe vintage is also evident with a higher content of fruit. Therefore, this wine is full of character right now, and not completely integrated. Red fruit, funk, cured meats, blood and raw beef stand out on the nose/palate. I'm glad I have 8 more, maybe drink 1 a year for the next 8 years.
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This was quite good with some nice, typical aged syrah qualities of game and white peppercorn, but was missing a bit of juicy drinkability for my taste. Ultimately I appreciated it but wasn't moved. But syrah is very "3 bears" for me, admittedly.
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Had this bottle back in March with a terrible review of it but this is completely different and from a much better source! Top five wine of the year for sure. Beautiful nose and palate featuring funk, blueberries, spices and roasted meat. Super complex wine and hitting its peak. Medium to long finish. This is California Syrah at its finest. For the $35 I paid for this it is stealing! Wine of the year for sure when you factor in the price.
Day 2 not as concentrated. This wine is drink me now and consume on day one to maximize the enjoyment. Still good but it lost some of the funk and roasted meat character.
This was spectacular and is without a doubt the most N. Rhone like CA Syrah I have ever had. The nose was a bit closed but the palate was singing. Black raspberry and bitter cherry with some tobacco, earth, white pepper and gamey notes with good acidity that leads to a long finish. Brilliant wine that is at it's peak.
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Drank well after only a couple hours of air. Cherry Liqueur, smoke, raw meat. Was delightful for my taste now, though evidently still somewhat young. It held up very well for the next two nights.
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At The Little Bird in Portland. Medium+ body, savory, with hints of funk and native yeast and restraint ripeness. Was still drinking well 24 hours later, though evidently more oxidized.
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PNP. Very rich out of the gate. Black/purple fruits on the nose and the palate. A little smokiness too. Very nice. Some of that richness faded when the remainder of the (refrigerated) bottle was uncorked two days later.
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Arcadian Tasting (Shari's Condo): Decanted 30 minutes. Loads of pepper. Loads. The flavor is quite intense, with distinct beef blood. Balance is lacking here, and some heat on the finish. Overall, the positives and negatives even out to a relatively happy 88.
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Arcadian Tasting (Shari's, Mpls, MN): Dark red color. Decanted for 30 minutes, followed a small glass over 30 minutes. While this has some alcohol both on the nose and palate it does not overwhelm the wine. Earthy, medium full body, pepper, dark fruits, wood.
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Decanted for about an hour prior to drinking. upon opening, it seemed to have had a fairly size-able wallop of funk/brett to it, which concerned me a little. The last bottle was way too bretty to enjoy. Decided to let it sit for a bit and come back to it. Once I came back, the funk seemed to have subsided quite a bit and relegate itself to the background. Red fruits, maybe a bit dark and a touch of oak involved here. Medium bodied on the palate with sweet cherry really coming through along with the underlying brett. Acidity very much prevalent and tannins fairly integrated. Med+ finish. Very solid bottle of wine if you can enjoy a little funk in it. (of which I can.)
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Starting to show a bit of age with some discoloration at the edges. Ruby red in color. Bit of funk on the nose, may be some bret, but just a touch, not distracting in the least. Bit of pepper on the nose, some cranberry, salami, olive tapenade. Bit thin on the fruit initially, lean with some tartness, loads on mineral. Reminds be a bit of a northern rhone in need of age. Would never guess California syrah and that is a good thing. 30 second finish, very nice.
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Only 2 TNs here? I have just one bottle, paired it tonight with orange lentils and garlic bread. When I first opened it, this was cellar temp so it was probably a bit cool and thus tart and closed up. That was 2 hrs ago and now at room temp (high 60s), I can get a good read on the wine. This smells old world to me, with saddle and barnyard and has the sweet leather note too--all of that stuff. The palate has the same notes, the same barnyard impact, along with a fairly jammy core of blue and red fruit in what seems like equal parts. The finish then gets tangy and shows a red licorice. Maybe this changes overnight and I have plenty for tomorrow but I don't care much for the horsey aromas and flavors, married with what was the bigger vintage stamp from 2007. More tomorrow....so polished off today with a spinach, tomato and sausage sautee and garlic bread. Paired well with this dish and the saddle flavors seem less dominant today but this squarely retains an old world tang, funk and gamy quality. I'd say ready to go but hey, I am the guy that devours structure and acid so always take my opinions with that guidance in mind.
Lots of blueberry, blackberry and plum - but more reminiscent of St. Joseph in a warm vintage than typical CA Syrah. Meat, pepper and violets as well. Really nice, and hitting its stride now.
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My system (nose mouth finish) +/+, Violet, blueberry, just enough bret to be interesting in the nose and mouth not off putting to me at all. Can still go 3-5+.
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4/2/2024 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
Decanted about 20 minutes, drank half the bottle over 2 hours. This bottle had more brett than the last one 2 years ago. A funky and northern rhone-like syrah, but the brett was detracting on this one.
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11/29/2022 - galewskj wrote: 92 Points
This had some brett that mostly blew off. I should have decanted it, at least 30 minutes. What remains is a vibrant red-fruited earthy and somewhat light (for California standards) syrah which brings a tear to my eye, that Arcadian no longer exists. I don't know what else to say, not their best, but pretty darn good and you'd never know it came from California. My 6th of 10 bottles.
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4/23/2022 - Thek Likes this wine: 95 Points
Syrah is my favorite varietal, and this is among the top 2-3 Syrahs I’ve ever had. Color is deeply opaque with violet center fading to a straw rim. Fragrant nose of meat, scorched earth, tobacco, iris, floral levity. Palate is similar, dark purple and black fruit, fresh and robust and earthy at the same time. This is unlike any wine I’ve ever tried. An exceptional experience.
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10/27/2021 - galewskj wrote: 92 Points
My 4th of 10 bottles, and as good or the best one yet. Wow, these Arcadian syrahs become complex and profound like a CDP. There is a vegetal scorched earth aspect to this one. My hats off to Arcadian for making a wine of this caliber from California in a very hot vintage of 2007.
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3/21/2020 - galewskj wrote: flawed
Brett for sure. Maybe some VA.
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3/20/2020 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 94 Points
Day 1: Rockstar!!! Funk, menthol, gravel, raspberries, rose petals and exotic spices. Medium plus finish. Wonderful! This wine is in its sweet spot. Drink now to 2022. 94 points
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2/17/2020 - PeterFromThePan Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is awesome right now. Had a couple of glasses decanted for maybe 30min. While I would not say the same for Pinots, I really do appreciate some age with syrahs. Flavors have integrated well and tannins have mellowed out a little bit. This is drinking great right now.
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12/12/2019 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious dark cherry, leather, and earthy notes on the nose and palate with refreshing acidity on the long finish.
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1/21/2019 - galewskj wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour, this needed 30 minutes+ to integrate and for some brett to blow off, which thankfully it did. This wine is clearly in the traditional Arcadian style, and to me, the ripe vintage is also evident with a higher content of fruit. Therefore, this wine is full of character right now, and not completely integrated. Red fruit, funk, cured meats, blood and raw beef stand out on the nose/palate. I'm glad I have 8 more, maybe drink 1 a year for the next 8 years.
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12/26/2018 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another lovely Arcadian Syrah! Drinking beautifully!
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12/18/2018 - ashikoh Likes this wine: 95 Points
Pizza Dinner with Arcadian Winemaker Joe Davis (Darren Howard's home): Pizza dinner at Darren Howard's with Arcadian winemaker Joe Davis. Drinking very well right now. No formal notes.
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11/29/2018 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious dark cherry, leather, and earthy notes on the nose and palate with refreshing acidity on the long finish.
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11/24/2018 - cartime Likes this wine: 92 Points
Red/black fruit. Grilled herbs, earthy, slightly funky. Ready now.
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11/23/2018 - Ecoenophile wrote: 90 Points
No detail notes... but enjoyed the full flavor. Sorry this was the last of many Arcadian syrahs I've cellared over the years!
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4/1/2018 - mercurius Likes this wine: 93 Points
Funk, blueberries, and pine sap. I love it!
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3/8/2018 - 5laton wrote:
This was quite good with some nice, typical aged syrah qualities of game and white peppercorn, but was missing a bit of juicy drinkability for my taste. Ultimately I appreciated it but wasn't moved. But syrah is very "3 bears" for me, admittedly.
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2/20/2018 - andtheodor wrote: 90 Points
Piney, meaty, rosemary, blueberry. Pleasantly savory, seemed to get coarser over a day of being open.
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12/3/2017 - klezman wrote:
Earth, funk, and meat. Initially a ton of peppercorn, but that faded relatively quickly. Delicious Syrah and a great pairing for lamb rack.
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12/1/2017 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 94 Points
Had this bottle back in March with a terrible review of it but this is completely different and from a much better source! Top five wine of the year for sure. Beautiful nose and palate featuring funk, blueberries, spices and roasted meat. Super complex wine and hitting its peak. Medium to long finish. This is California Syrah at its finest. For the $35 I paid for this it is stealing! Wine of the year for sure when you factor in the price.
Day 2 not as concentrated. This wine is drink me now and consume on day one to maximize the enjoyment. Still good but it lost some of the funk and roasted meat character.
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10/25/2017 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another lovely Arcadian Syrah!
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10/22/2017 - RussW Likes this wine:
This was spectacular and is without a doubt the most N. Rhone like CA Syrah I have ever had. The nose was a bit closed but the palate was singing. Black raspberry and bitter cherry with some tobacco, earth, white pepper and gamey notes with good acidity that leads to a long finish. Brilliant wine that is at it's peak.
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8/28/2017 - ex-sommelier Likes this wine:
Drank well after only a couple hours of air. Cherry Liqueur, smoke, raw meat. Was delightful for my taste now, though evidently still somewhat young. It held up very well for the next two nights.
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7/11/2017 - joraesque wrote: 91 Points
At The Little Bird in Portland.
Medium+ body, savory, with hints of funk and native yeast and restraint ripeness.
Was still drinking well 24 hours later, though evidently more oxidized.
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4/23/2017 - Ecoenophile wrote: 89 Points
PNP. Very rich out of the gate. Black/purple fruits on the nose and the palate. A little smokiness too. Very nice. Some of that richness faded when the remainder of the (refrigerated) bottle was uncorked two days later.
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3/19/2017 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 85 Points
Arcadian Tasting (Shari's Place): Very disappointed with this one. Underbrush, simple and some fruit. Should cost around $12.50 for this effort.
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3/18/2017 - galewskj wrote: 88 Points
Arcadian Tasting (Shari's Condo): Decanted 30 minutes. Loads of pepper. Loads. The flavor is quite intense, with distinct beef blood. Balance is lacking here, and some heat on the finish. Overall, the positives and negatives even out to a relatively happy 88.
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3/18/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 88 Points
Arcadian Tasting (Shari's, Mpls, MN): Dark red color. Decanted for 30 minutes, followed a small glass over 30 minutes. While this has some alcohol both on the nose and palate it does not overwhelm the wine. Earthy, medium full body, pepper, dark fruits, wood.
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1/15/2017 - yonster24 wrote:
Decanted for about an hour prior to drinking. upon opening, it seemed to have had a fairly size-able wallop of funk/brett to it, which concerned me a little. The last bottle was way too bretty to enjoy. Decided to let it sit for a bit and come back to it. Once I came back, the funk seemed to have subsided quite a bit and relegate itself to the background. Red fruits, maybe a bit dark and a touch of oak involved here. Medium bodied on the palate with sweet cherry really coming through along with the underlying brett. Acidity very much prevalent and tannins fairly integrated. Med+ finish. Very solid bottle of wine if you can enjoy a little funk in it. (of which I can.)
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1/5/2017 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As delicious as the last bottle!
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12/8/2016 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious dark cherry, leather, and earthy notes on the nose and palate with lively acidity on the long finish.
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11/26/2016 - galewskj wrote: flawed
Brett
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11/8/2016 - grafstrb wrote:
-- decanted for 15 minutes before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over a few hours --
NOSE: a bit high-toned (v/a?); mostly red-fruited, veering into the purple fruits; hints of funk, oak, and stony mineral.
BODY: no sediment; medium-light to medium bodied.
TASTE: very high acidity; some brett, but not enough to make it unpleasant for me; alc. is moderately noticeable.
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10/16/2016 - fine137 wrote: 93 Points
Starting to show a bit of age with some discoloration at the edges. Ruby red in color. Bit of funk on the nose, may be some bret, but just a touch, not distracting in the least. Bit of pepper on the nose, some cranberry, salami, olive tapenade. Bit thin on the fruit initially, lean with some tartness, loads on mineral. Reminds be a bit of a northern rhone in need of age. Would never guess California syrah and that is a good thing. 30 second finish, very nice.
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8/31/2016 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As lovely as the last bottle!
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8/23/2016 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious dark cherry and leather notes on the nose and palate with lively acidity on the long finish.
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10/5/2015 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Only 2 TNs here? I have just one bottle, paired it tonight with orange lentils and garlic bread. When I first opened it, this was cellar temp so it was probably a bit cool and thus tart and closed up. That was 2 hrs ago and now at room temp (high 60s), I can get a good read on the wine. This smells old world to me, with saddle and barnyard and has the sweet leather note too--all of that stuff. The palate has the same notes, the same barnyard impact, along with a fairly jammy core of blue and red fruit in what seems like equal parts. The finish then gets tangy and shows a red licorice. Maybe this changes overnight and I have plenty for tomorrow but I don't care much for the horsey aromas and flavors, married with what was the bigger vintage stamp from 2007. More tomorrow....so polished off today with a spinach, tomato and sausage sautee and garlic bread. Paired well with this dish and the saddle flavors seem less dominant today but this squarely retains an old world tang, funk and gamy quality. I'd say ready to go but hey, I am the guy that devours structure and acid so always take my opinions with that guidance in mind.
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8/19/2015 - stubbie999 Likes this wine:
Lots of blueberry, blackberry and plum - but more reminiscent of St. Joseph in a warm vintage than typical CA Syrah. Meat, pepper and violets as well. Really nice, and hitting its stride now.
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12/4/2010 - xtrmjoe wrote: 92 Points
My system (nose mouth finish) +/+, Violet, blueberry, just enough bret to be interesting in the nose and mouth not off putting to me at all. Can still go 3-5+.
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