1999 Arrowood Syrah Saralee's Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (11/12/2024)
Last bottle from release...ol leather face has grabbed a hold of this one...little brett as well...but hell, at 25yrs old, we all get blemishes with age! Not the amazing drink as the 01 Le Beau Melange was a couple years ago...the fruit is still holding...more red plum/cherry...slight thinning and dryness, yet still possesses a tart brightness and some smoked meat heft...really nice silk to this wine...totally integrated and seamless. Along with the leather and slight brett, a nice mix of dried herbs and potpourri florals...white pepper, mint, sandalwood spices...rustic raspberry briar patch...coffee grounds...some olive...again, as with the Beau Melange...totally would guess Rhone blind here. Hell...as I drink and type...this thing is gaining on me...the brett is integrating...the wine is seducing...making me very happy here! Dick is the MAN...these old school wines are SO underrated...always on the lookout at auction...just pure pleasure EVERY TIME I uncork one! Luv um. (93 points)
On my first visit to Sonoma almost 20 years ago, the 2003 Saralee Syrah stood out as one of the best wines I tasted. (Others: Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot, Rutherford Grove Petite Sirah.) Of course, I was new to wine at that point and probably them comparing to whatever sold for $9 at the local liquor store.
So…I visited Arrowood again in 2020 and asked about this one. They happened to have a few bottles of an old vintage (2001? 2006?) and we picked one up. It was delicious. Great to hear a 99 is still drinking well!
