“Zinfandel can also be a little misunderstood, as sometimes the wine is overly jammy, or overly fruity, but there are some beautiful ones available as well…. Iconic California winemaker Richard Arrowood just released his 2009 Amapola Creek Monte Rosso Vineayard Zinfandel made from 100+year old Zinfandel vines grown in the mineral rich, mountainous vineyard. This is a soft and supple wine filled with freshly cracked black pepper, ripe red cherries, dried berries and toffee with lingering aromas of violets and wild flowers on the finish.”
By Hayley Hamilton
D Magazine SideDish
May 17th, 2012
89
POINTS
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
2010 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Jos. Belli Vineyards
Amapola Creek
Richard Arrowood's production is moving up quickly here at his small-scale winery, which he founded in 2001 on a western slope of the Mayacamas range, just outside the town of Sonoma. Twenty of his property's 100 acres are planted to vines in four separate parcels and are farmed organically. Arrowood also buys some fruit, most notably from the Monte Rosso vineyard, which sits just above the winery. "The point here is doing something that is completely hands-on, on a scale that keeps me involved in as many details as possible," he told me.
2010 Amapola Creek Chardonnay Jos. Belli Vineyards Russian River Valley
($35) Pale yellow. Vibrant aromas of lemon zest, pear and quinine, with subtle anise and lees notes adding depth. Precise and vibrant, offering refreshingly bitter citrus and pear skin flavors, a subtle touch of vanilla and bracing minerality. Closes on a spicy note, with good clarity and bite. 89 pts.
By Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Issue #162
.
May 17th, 2012
90
POINTS
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley, Amapola Creek Estate
Amapola Creek
Richard Arrowood's production is moving up quickly here at his small-scale winery, which he founded in 2001 on a western slope of the Mayacamas range, just outside the town of Sonoma. Twenty of his property's 100 acres are planted to vines in four separate parcels and are farmed organically. Arrowood also buys some fruit, most notably from the Monte Rosso vineyard, which sits just above the winery. "The point here is doing something that is completely hands-on, on a scale that keeps me involved in as many details as possible," he told me.
2007 Amapola Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley
($70) Inky purple. Complex aromas of dried cherry, licorice, tobacco and aged beef, plus a subtle smoky nuance. Sappy and creamy in texture, offering intense dark fruit flavors that gain power and spiciness with aeration. Shows bitter cherry pit and smoked meat notes on the back end, finishing with very good breadth and sweetness. 90 pts.
By Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Issue #162
.
May 17th, 2012
92
POINTS
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
Richard Arrowood's production is moving up quickly here at his small-scale winery, which he founded in 2001 on a western slope of the Mayacamas range, just outside the town of Sonoma. Twenty of his property's 100 acres are planted to vines in four separate parcels and are farmed organically. Arrowood also buys some fruit, most notably from the Monte Rosso vineyard, which sits just above the winery. "The point here is doing something that is completely hands-on, on a scale that keeps me involved in as many details as possible," he told me.
2009 Amapola Creek Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard Vinas Antiguas Sonoma Valley
($42) (includes about 9% petite sirah; 16.1% alcohol): Inky ruby. An explosively perfumed bouquet displays dark berry liqueur, cherry-cola, licorice and smoky Indian spices. Lush and expansive blackberry and blueberry flavors show surprising vivacity for a wine of this size, with lively spice and floral qualities emerging with air. Closes smoky and very long, with lingering vanilla and violet nuances. 92 pts.
By Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Issue #162
.
May 17th, 2012
90
POINTS
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
Amapola Creek
Richard Arrowood's production is moving up quickly here at his small-scale winery, which he founded in 2001 on a western slope of the Mayacamas range, just outside the town of Sonoma. Twenty of his property's 100 acres are planted to vines in four separate parcels and are farmed organically. Arrowood also buys some fruit, most notably from the Monte Rosso vineyard, which sits just above the winery. "The point here is doing something that is completely hands-on, on a scale that keeps me involved in as many details as possible," he told me.
2009 Amapola Creek Cuvee Alis Sonoma Valley
($48) (55% syrah and 45% grenache): Opaque ruby. Smoky, highly perfumed bouquet evokes black raspberry, cherry-cola, dried flowers and anise, with a peppery topnote. Weighty dark berry flavors become livelier with air and pick up an element of spiciness. Finishes tangy and long, with lingering smoke and vanilla qualities. 90 pts.
By Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Issue #162
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