Not exactly the same, but both certainly darling enough to be compared. And I do like them both, just not sure how much. Been drinking a few bottlesfrom both recently and pretty much the only thing not to like is the price.
Ceritas for me. I was on the Arnot-Roberts mailing list for a few years but couldn’t see the value. Wines were OK but not great. Ceritas Chardonnay is easily the best in CA.
Arnot-Roberts cabs need time, but with some years of bottle age are wonderful expressions of the grape and site.
A-R’s syrah wines are wonderful as well.
But for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, I think Ceritas makes some of the finest, elegant wines coming out of California.
To the original poster, I don’t think you need to choose. And there are so many other producers out there, why focus on only 2? I think they are different, with Arnot-Roberts more alligned to the AFWE wines, Ceritas more traditional. Both are lighter in weight compared to many others from the Golden State. If you want Trousseau or Syrah, you’ll have to go to AR because Ceritas doesn’t make them.