2014 Arnot-Roberts, Syrah, Sonoma Coast.
The new Arnot-Roberts Syrah, now Sonoma Coast instead of North Coast, shows some subtle changes from a slightly different vineyard mix giving this lovely wine a bit more energy and depth of character, and it further displays the talents of Duncan Meyers and Nathan Roberts in the cellar. The 2014 Arnot-Roberts Sonoma Coast Syrah is wonderfully textured and lifted with velvet and lacy tannins, good acidity and full of savory mineral and spicy elements to go with deep black, blue and red fruits in a very pleasing medium bodied wine that certainly has a lot of northern rhone style charm to admire. The palate is gifted with black raspberry, plum and blueberry fruits along with an array of additional flavors including cracked pepper, camphor/embers, kirsch, black olives, dusty earth, minty herbs, anise, cedar and a lingering currant and green spice. This is a very pure example of a classy Syrah, starting with it’s purple/garnet hue and light violet/floral nose, it has the right feel and low alcohol poise to be easily quaffed, it is impressive stuff to drink now and or in the midterm, best from 2016 to 2022. The 2012, 2013 and 2014 vintages have seen some amazing quality and stylish post-modern Syrah in California, be sure to check out the latest offerings from Pax, Copain, Peay, Samsara, Melville, Sheldon, Stolpman, Piedrasassi, Lucia/Pisoni, Cattleya, Lagier-Meredith, Sandlands and this Arnot-Roberts for some stunning Syrah wines, they might very well be the best wines for the money in the state!
($40 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
