Press

“Made by old-school Sonoma winemaker Richard Arrowood, Amapola Creek’s Monte Rosso Zin comes from 118-year old vines, where the yield is just 3/4 ton to 1 ton per acre (which is tiny). Just 540 cases of this wine were made, a blend of 91.2% Zinfandel and 8.8% Petite Sirah.

The wine is a standout for Zin, ultra-high in alcohol (16.1%), of course, but rich with all kinds of flavors. After a nose that recalls dry earth and black pepper, cocoa-inflected blackberry and blueberry start you off on the palate, with lightly and well-balanced, spicy notes on the finish. Zin can often be mouth-coating to the point of gumminess, but even at this alcohol level, it comes across is clean and refreshing.”

By Christopher Null

DrinkHacker.com

“2009 Amapola Creek Sonoma Valley Monte Rosso Vineyard Viñas Antiguas ($42). After 15 years at Chateau St. Jean and 25 years at his own Arrowood Winery, Richard Arrowood, with his wife, Alis, established a vineyard on the western side of the Mayacamas Mountains and began producing estate wines under the Amapola Creek label. This wine shows the pedigree of its mountain source and 118-year-old vines. It is dense, with oak touches, mineral and spice notes, sleek texture and noticeable but soft tannins.”

By Rich Mauro

 Gazette.com 

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 Review: 2009 Amapola Creek Zinfandel Monte Rosso

USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley SRP: $36. A beautiful Zinfandel. Fresh-from-the-farm cherries, perfume, wild blackberries, and sweet Asian spices. While proudly ripe, this wine isn’t in your face. The palate is lush and balanced. (91 pts.)

By David White

Terroirist.com

Amapola Creek Zinfandel “Monte Rosso Vineyards” 2009 Viñas Antiguas, Sonoma Valley ($36)

“And this bottling, from Richard Arrowood, embodies much of what makes the grape such an important one in this country. It’s a special wine, to be sure, produced from 118-year-old vines--meaning that they were planted before the 20th century had even begun. All that time has resulted in fruit that is as expressive and as nuanced as you’ll find. The wine, of course, is fantastic.

This boasts a rich cherry liqueur and wild-berry cobbler nose, with warm Tahitian vanilla, caramel, flowers, black peppercorns, and exotic spices, cardamom chief among them. On the palate, this remarkably elegant wine sings of red cherry and black and red raspberry, summertime blueberry, pie crust, toast, vanilla, spice, and cedar, with a hint of sandalwood on the finish. Complex and rich yet never ponderous, it’s an exceptionally lively bottling with elegance and depth to spare, and promises to drink very well through 2022. Not that you’ll be able to wait that long.”

By Brian Freedman

GoodLife Report

 2009 Amapola Creek Sonoma Valley Monte Rosso Vineyard Viñas Antiguas California Zinfandel

The somm says…

"I’ve been a fan of Richard Arrowood’s winemaking talent since the late 80’s—I’d even go as far to say I have a crush on his wines. In 2010, he relinquished Arrowood to open Amaploa Creek and his winemaking style continues to impress. The unfiled and unfiltered ’09 Zinfandel produced from 118-year-old vines, which yield a meager three-quarter to one ton per acre, really showcases its ripe, rich full-bodied structure. I’d call this one a dark berry blast from the past. It is multifaceted and mysterious with chewy tannins, unrivaled depth with warm spices. The complexity brought by long summer Sonoma days really coaxes the blackberry cherry goodness from this late-ripening grape. Grab yourself a smoker, set aside 18-hours and barbeque some pulled pork to compliment this balanced and berrylicious Zinfandel; 293 case production. Drink now or hold through 2018."

The chef says…

"This wine is from the Monte Rosso vineyard a location that my palate has grown fond of over the years and this Zinfandel from Richard Arrowood delivers all the style this vineyard is known for and incorporates the distinctive style of winemaking Richard is known for. With a 9% dose of Petite Sirah juice added to the mix, this is a burly but complex wine that may not appeal to everyone but if you’re from the school of bigger is better when it comes to Zinfandel you will definitely enjoy this wine. If you have experienced a recipe recently that overshadowed the wine you served with the cuisine, get a bottle of this and try that recipe again. I guarantee the wine will not be over shadowed. Showcasing an explosion of cassis liqueur and overripe blueberries aromas, the bouquet pleasantly assaults your olfactory senses. The flavors reflect the aromas with a little grilled fennel and some floral violet qualities thrown in. It is a very hedonistic experience that the finishes long, plush and softly smoky. Richard Arrowood has revitalized the reputation of what Sonoma Zinfandels are capable of with this wine."

Rating: Excellent (92) | $42 | 16.1% ABV

By Pamela Heiligenthal

Enobytes.com