TN: 2002 Arrowood Syrah Saralee's Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley)

WINE TALK
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  • 2002 Arrowood Syrah Saralee’s Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (11/23/2009)
    Cracked this beauty to see what is going on…wow! Nose is graphite, tar, earth and dark chocolate along with a little whole cluster (?) greeness. The palate is full bodied and silky in texture. Shows more black fruit, loads of smoke and black licorice along with white pepper and dark cherries. Long finish. Interesting to me is that sees a little Viognier coferment and the Viognier adds a little fatness to the midpalate. I say interesting because it is almost like I am drinking a CA Syrah with a Viognier chaser. I like it, just weird that the Viognier stands out in the palate so prominently. I paid low $20s for this at that price is a steal. Drinking well now, but should hold for another 5+ years. 92-93/100 (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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thanks for the note, Tony. I’m always curious about this bottle when I see it in stores, but I’ve never gone for it. your note will make passing much more difficult next time.

3

It really is a terrific bottle of Syrah. If you see it below $30, do yourself a favor and pick one up.

4

LOVE these wines…very under appreciated imo. I like the co-ferment Viognier as well. The last 2 I’ve had (1998/2000) were killer.

  • 1998 Arrowood Syrah Saralee’s Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (4/17/2009)
    How good is this right now!!! Dark and rustic wild berry fruit, leather, smoked game, bacon chocolate(ever had it??Mmmmm), florals of violets, cherry blossoms. Perfect balance…smoke and woods are well integrated…still quite youthful with acidity and tannin, white pepper spice. Slight Dr Pepper tingle on the finish. How underrated are THESE wines??? (94 pts.)
  • 2000 Arrowood Syrah Saralee’s Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (1/7/2008)
    Was a little worried at first…bottle showed signs of seepage. Decanted for about an hour…beautiful fresh flower floralness, white pepper, tar, blackberry, cherry, meat nose. Reminds me of Cote Rotie! Smooth and subtle in the mouth…ripe wild berry fruit, cherries sprinkled with pepper thrown on the grill! Tannins are silky, very smooth wine, yet has a spice kick. Lots of florals in this wine…is there Viognier in here??? Has licorice, some herbs, nice framed oak. The only minus is a short finish. Another bottle might even show better. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Wonderful - have the 2000 in our cellar, which we purchased straight from the understated tasting room. Very much pumped for it now. Cheers.

6

I too enjoy these wines. Not quite as much as the posters above, but as far as what you get in the bottle for the amount paid, you can’t go wrong with these syrahs

7

The 97, if you can find it, is also a terrific wine. That was drinking well as of last year…

8

I LOVED the 2001! flirtysmile
Wish I could find more.

Liked the '97 a LOT and just liked the 2000.

9

+1. Still holding my last one.

RT