|
Arrowood Hits the TargetBy Darryl Beeson"Arrowood wines are crafted from grapes sourced exclusively from important vineyards in Sonoma County. The broad array of flavors provided by the diverse viticultural areas, Sonoma, Dry Creek, Russian River, Knights and Alexander Valleys and Los Carneros, allow my husband (winemaker Richard Arrowood) to layer flavors based on the characteristics that each vineyard delivers," says co-founder Alis Demers Arrowood. "Richard has been making wine in Sonoma County for more than three decades and thrives on the artistic freedom offered by the vineyards in these distinct appellations. Our 'non-interventional' approach to winemaking enhances what Mother Nature provides and our judicious use of oak-aging results in wines that are rich, bold, intense and complex." To learn more, visit www.arrowoodvineyards.com. Arrowood "Special Reserve" Chardonnay, Sonoma 2000 Starting out with aromas of lemon blossom, subtle nougat and elegant butter elements, a sip brings a balanced array of white fruit, soft hazelnut, butter and nice citrus. Arrowood Pinot Blanc "Saralee's Vineyard" Russian River
Valley 2000 The nose offers subtle aromatics of floral and mineral, then flavors of Asian pear, white fruit and soft oak nuances. "This is the white wine for people grown tired of Chardonnay," boasts Arrowood. "In California, Pinot Blanc is quite often mistaken for 'Melon de Bourgogne,' a lesser relative. We are fortunate to obtain our fruit from Saralee’s Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, one of the few vineyards in California to produce a true, certified Pinot Blanc clone." Arrowood Merlot, Sonoma 1999 The nose is packed with rich, jammy fruit, getting your attention immediately. The sip brings complex flavors of dark fruit, mineral, coccoa powder and interesting herbal notes. This could easily be one of California's finest Merlots. "There is a small percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend that really lifts the wine's flavors," explains Alis Demers Arrowood. Arrowood "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
1999 The elegant nose has a range of well-balanced complexity. One finds dark currant, subtle olive, leather and Asian spice. There are flavors of black cherry, cassis, mineral, subtle black olive, gentle herbs with a dusting of coccoa powder and jam in the long length. "My husband the winemaker, Dick Arrowood is a musician when it comes to making wine," boasts Mrs. Arrowood. "He is a firm believer in the balance of the wine, not unlike an orchestra." He was a trombone player before he learned winemaking. Arrowood Syrah, Sonoma 2000 The nose offers red fruit and subtle mineral/leather hints. Then there are flavors of rich red fruit, mineral, black pepper and elegant complexity through the long, powerful length. Arrowood Syrah, Russian River 1999 Subtle, complex elements of dark fruit, leather and pepper are in the nose and the sip. This red contains a small bit of the white wine Viognier in the blend, adding to the complexity. Darryl Beeson travels the world looking for great wine values. In the past, he has been wine steward or cellar master for The Mansion on Turtle Creek, Voltaire, and The Adolphus Hotel. Not one for stuffiness or secret handshakes relative to wine, this Texan might now be described as a "ki-yi-yippee sommelier, sommelier." Beeson reports on wine, spirits, food and travel for numerous publications. |
|
TM