91 | Richard Arrowood makes this complex and distinctive zinfandel from old vines at Monte Rosso. It packs the eucalyptus and citrus scents of an orange grove along with powerful mineral clarity in the tannin. The texture is succulent, the citrus notes adding a pleasing volatility, like a dash of balsamic to kick up grilled hanger steak (W&S, 10/08; 400 cases)The Cellars of Amapola Creek Vineyards, Glen Ellen, CA.
2005 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas93+ Points - Robert Parker
Retail Price $42.00 
The Vineyard Our 2005 Zinfandel's unique character derives from four-plus decades of winemaking expertise combined with the mountain terroir of historic Monte Rosso Vineyard and its famous red soils. These 115-year-old vines yield a mere one to one-and-a-half tons per acre. Their distinctive fruit is enhanced by the mineral-rich, well-drained, decomposed volcanic ash soils and by the cooling breezes of San Pablo Bay. The high elevation of the vineyard exposes the fruit to additional sunlight, ensuring consistent ripening. Tight 8x8-foot vine spacing, diligent pruning and dry farming techniques also concentrate the flavors of Monte Rosso grapes Vintage The 2005 growing season began with a cool, unseasonably wet spring. Careful pruning kept the vines from excessive growth. As the season continued, we were blessed with mild daytime temperatures and warmer nights, allowing the grapes to mature and develop deep flavors and fully ripe tannins. The grapes were harvested in late September at an initial sugar of 25.0 degrees Brix. Wine The gnarly old vines at Monte Rosso Vineyard produced a wine with incredible depth of fruit as befitting its venerable origins. Such intense fruit enabled us to make a truly distinctive Zinfandel. The wine was aged for 16 months in a combination of new and seasoned French and American oak barrels.This Zinfandel offers abundant, concentrated aromas of pure ripe blackberry and black raspberry fruit laced with delightful varietal spice. Bright, rich and very complex on the palate, the wine shows lush wild berry fruit, supple textures, well-integrated oak toast and vanillin, with peppery hints amid the ripe tannins on a very long finish. This wine is unfined and unfiltered. Drink now or hold for 10-plus years. PressJanuary 22nd, 2009
91
POINTS
Wine & Spirits - Zinfandel - Year's Best
2005 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas June 14th, 2010
AMAPOLA CREEK:
Wines Worthy of the Red Carpet 2005 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas "...The 2005 Amapola Creek Zinfandel is a BIG wine with complex characteristics. Robust ripe fruit onthe nose boasts aromas of black cherry and cassis. The flavors on the palate show ripe blackberrywith a hint of sweet tobacco. There is a unique minerality in this wine which mirrors the complexvolcanic ash soils of the land. The lasting finish is rich with ripe tannins, vanilla and toasted oak. Thisis a superbly crafted zinfandel! The wine is unfiltered and unrefined. I paired this outstandingzinfandel with a grilled pear salad and soft ripened St. Agur blue cheese. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from a very limited yield from Amapola Creek’sexclusive estate vines. This luscious cab is seductive and aromatic on the nose with essences of anisand spices. The mouth feel is soft and silky with flavors of ripe black currant and plumb. Theremarkably consistent finish displays soft ripe tannins and hints of oak, vanilla and spice. This lovelyCabernet Sauvignon showcases artisan winemaking at its best! The wine is unfiltered and unrefined.I paired this exceptional cab with grilled skirt steak and herbed polenta with goat cheese and roastedtomatoes...." February 1st, 2011
93+
POINTS
2005 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas 2005 was not an easy vintage for Zinfandel, but you would never know that tasting Arrowood’s 2005 Zinfandel from the Monte Rosso Vineyard (bottled unfined and unfiltered). Rich, briary black cherry and black currant fruit, loads of earth, spice and pepper remain remarkably youthful and potentially long-lived by Zinfandel standards. This is a full, fresh, vibrant wine that should drink well for at least another decade. It is one of the most impressive 2005s I’ve tasted. January 23rd, 2012
Amapola Creek: A NEW Start for Richard Arrowood
2009 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas “‘I am not retired.’ Arrowood founder Richard Arrowood states the obvious to me as we meet on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains in the Sonoma Valley at his 100-plus-acre estate. The industry may have lost touch with this legendary veteran after his eponymous winery was sold (it’s now in the hands of Kendall-Jackson), but you can’t keep Richard Arrowood away from winemaking. Richard and his wife Alis have now re-invented themselves with Amapola Creek. Twenty acres of vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache – fan above the Sonoma Valley floor, and the benefit of neighboring Monte Rosso Vineyard allows for some truly stellar Zinfandel. The first vintage for Amapola Creek released in 2005, and now, presiding over a lifetime of 46 harvests, Richard Arrowood is home at last. Amapola Creek 2009 Zinfandel (SRP $40) hails from the famous Monte Rosso Vineyard. Creamy devil’s food cake batter and elegant blackberry chocolate once again proves that old-vine Zinfandel lives up to its reputation, and this is a marvelous specimen. Releases later this winter.” Executive Editor Meredith May The Tasting Panel
May 17th, 2012
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
2009 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas Amapola CreekRichard 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 By Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Issue #162
. June 6th, 2011
Press Democrat Wine List: This week's picks
2008 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas Press Democrat wine writer Peg Melnik scopes out restaurant wine lists around the North Bay, looking for good value and the occasional splurge. This week's picks (prices are retail; restaurant markup varies): Amapola Creek, 2008 Monte Rosso Vineyards, Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, 15.1 percent, $35."A snappy zin with black fruit, mocha and spice. Firm tannins. Nice length. Very tasty." Peg Melnik Press Democrat
. July 28th, 2011
Great Wines from Great Vines
2008 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas “Cigar-friendly wines include: Amapola Creek 2008 Zinfandel from Sonoma’s historic Monte Rosso Vineyards with its 115 year old vines…” By Richard Carleton Hacker-Smoke Magazine December 29th, 2011
It Was a Very Good Year: The Best Wines of 2011
2008 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas “2008 Amapola Creek ‘Vinas Antiguas’ Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Sonoma Valley: powerful flavors of black raspberries and cloves, full-bodied, very rich, smooth; $30. This is a zin like they used to make them: unsubtle, in-your-face, a hearty 15.1 percent alcohol — wonderful.” Fred Tasker The Miami Herald July 14th, 2011
“Zinfandel: Age Cannot Wither Nor Custom Stale Its Beauty”
2008 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas Highly recommended “2008 Amapola Creek “Vinas Antiguas” Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Sonoma Valley: powerful flavors of black raspberries and cloves, full-bodied, very rich, smooth.” Fred Tasker The Miami Herald September 10th, 2011
“Drinks”
2008 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas “For a balanced, concentrated and very pure zin: the 2008 Amapola Creek Monte Rosso Vineyard Vinas Antiguas Zinfandel. Loads of black fruit here, along with a suggestion of spice. Ripe, with a whiff of vanilla, it's a vivid, versatile wine. Ideal with beef stew, braised lamb, or your very best cheeseburger.” Peter M. Gianotti Newsday February 14th, 2012
Top Ten Value Wines
2008 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas "Take a moment to relax with one of the following best value wine selections. We all want to get the most for our money, and why should wines be an exception? The best value wines are not necessarily the cheapest — we've chosen wines that display superior taste and complexity for their price range. Come back often, as this budget-friendly list is updated frequently." Amapola Creek 2008 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, California "Made from grapes grown on 115-year-old vines, this red wine boasts complex and concentrated flavors."
Editor Barnaby Huges Gayot.com
. October 1st, 2010
Star Winemakers' Newest Projects
2007 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas 2007 Amapola Creek Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel Richard Arrowood, a dean of Sonoma wine, is making intense reds at his new winery. May 1st, 2010
90
POINTS
Wine Spectator: 90 Points
2007 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas AMAPOLA CREEK Score: 90
Sleek and elegantly jammy, but well-structured. Offers bright aromas of tart plum and toasty spice, with layered flavors of black cherry, sage and anise that finish with a kiss of ripe tannins. Drink now through 2015. 313 cases made. –TF February 1st, 2011
92
POINTS
2007 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Viñas Antiguas As for the 2007 Zinfandel Monte Rosso, its Provencal garrigue, lavender, pepper and spice seem more evolved aromatically than the older 2005 Zinfandel. Supple, rich in fruit, medium to full-bodied, and more seductive than the 2005, it is a sprinter out of the gate and should continue to drink well for 5-7 years. It is another brilliant Zinfandel from the Monte Rosso Ranch. |
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