2012 Arnot-Roberts, Syrah, North Coast.
This is another lovely and intriguing wine for the talented duo at Arnot-Roberts, these guys are crafting some amazing wines, and this 2012 Syrah North Coast is a stunner. While it is hard to pick from their wonderful selection of unique wines, everything from Chardonnay to Gamay, Cabernet to Trousseau Noir these guys are hitting it out of the park, especially with their Syrah wines, this 2012 North Coast in particular being a fantastic example, this wine shows beauty and detail, I can’t recommend strongly enough, you need to check these wines out, this is one of the best newer wineries in California and deserve lots of attention. The 2012 North Coast Syrah tastes like it was mostly whole cluster fermented with loads of fruit, spice and vibrancy with an amazing red/purple hue and a black opaque core in the glass. The nose is violets, dried roses, cinnamon stick, white pepper and game, along with stony notes and loads of black fruits, while the palate is fresh, blueberry, boysenberry, creme de cassis and damson plum, plus raw meat, sweet roasted herbs, black olives, warm earth, briar and brine. Lingering cedar, kirsch and compote of mixed berries hold on the finish. There is good firm youthful acidity and tannins that are sweet and ripe, everything in nice balance, making for a super interesting and savvy Syrah, drink over the coming decade, though it would be hard not to drink sooner vs later, best from 2014-2021. Though rare, it will be rewarding to search out, be sure to do so, this is great Northern Rhone style juice.
($36 Est.) 93-94 Points, grapelive
avail at www.sfwtc.com ($34.95)