Winery - Arbor Crest
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This big, buttery Chardonnay will especially appeal to those who like California-style flavors; here enhanced with the firm acids characteristic of Washington State. There is a generous streak of vanilla cream, a soft and very buttery mouthfeel, yet the fruit has enough precision and focus that the wine does not lose definition. Delicious now, this is a wine to drink over the next three or four years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The Klipsun vineyard is known for its power and muscle, and the tannins here are just now beginning to soften up. Winemaker Kristina van Loben Sels has captured the essence of the vineyard’s strengths—tight, focused black cherry and cassis, dark grace notes of tar, gravel and smoke, and those chewy, earthy tannins. The rich mineral streak is evident, the structure is supple and muscular, and this is a wine with a long life ahead.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This Meritage blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cab Franc, 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, and barrel aged for a couple of years. Dark, sappy, loaded with ripe cassis and black cherry fruit, perfect, silky tannins, juicy acids, this Bordeaux blend is beautifully integrated and will age for many more years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is pure varietal, as are most Arbor Crest wines, and expresses a pleasing purity of fruit. Sappy and brimming with flavors of raspberries, boysenberries and loganberries, this young and vivid Syrah matches the ripe and juicy fruit to firm acids, and caramel and butterscotch flavors from 40% new French oak.
Tags:
Arbor Crest Syrah - 2006
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a rather light, surprisingly delicate take on Petite Sirah, with pretty aromas of violets and spice. When first poured it seems shut down; it opens slowly but has a bit of a hole in the middle, before moving into a tannic finish with dark chocolate and licorice.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This winery excels with Sauv Blanc, which has come from the same Sagemoor Vineyard grapes for 21 years. Fermented in stainless steel, kept on the lees, and finished in a rich, thick, tropical-fruit style, it’s layered and intense. Apricots and peaches dominate.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Winemaker Kristina Mielke has brought welcome new energy to this winery. In this warm vintage she has made a dark, earthy, tannic cab with excellent, textured tannins and some pleasing spice. Give it some cellar time and it will open up into something special.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc blend. Big, heavy and thick, it carries a lot of smoky oak flavors and some rough tannins right now. Time may smooth it out.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This wine saw plenty of new French oak—it is steeped in scents of wood and butter—and the flavors inevitably conjure up Bourbon rather than wine. Tropical fruit is in there, but can’t begin to take on all the wood and alcohol. —P.G.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Arbor Crest has long been known for its sauvignon blancs, but this new release is a bit of a let-down. The fruit is ripe to the point of losing its focus, replacing crisp flavors with soft peach and tropical. But there is also a very noticeable nail polish scent, and it can also be tasted through the fruit. That’s just too much volatility for some tasters.
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