TN: 2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard

WINE TALK
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  • 2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (12/31/2014)
    First look at the 2003 vintage. Popped and poured. Darker ruby hue. Nose of damp earth, raspberry, violets, anise. Intense layers of mulberry and iron-laden red raspberry fruit on the wilder, more rustic side reigned in by serious fine-grained tannins and abundant freshening acidity. Longer finish of pulpy red fruit laced with stone and grip. This is clearly in its drinking window but has years to go before peaking. I’ll try to wait 3 to 5 at least. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Thanks for the note. I only have these because they were shipped in the GC so I hope time is good to these. The 01 is great as well. But generally Pisoni is a skip for my palate. Even if it was $15.

Jason

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Jason,

Yes, it is way different than the Sleepy Hollow. I enjoy them both but there might be a harder edge to the Pisoni.

Cheers,
Doug

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I have 3 of these left…can’t imagine drinking a single one…not that they wouldn’t be great…but they are my last ARC Pisoni’s! [worship.gif]

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Just curious, Jason. What don’t you like about the Pisoni’s?

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2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (12/13/2014)
– double decanted approx. 3 hours before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over approx. 2 hours –

A little age is noticeable on the color here. Ripe, but nonetheless elegant with good acidity; 13.5% alc. not noticeable; less evolved than the '02 vintage of this bottling, but not as “serious” as that '02 – for that matter, I consider the '00 and '01 vintages more “serious” than this '03, as well; very nice wine; fantastic pairing with mushrooms and also with an octopus pasta dish that featured octopus ink — the earthiness of these foods paired perfectly with the wine. Drink or Hold.

Posted from CellarTracker

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Nice…I can see how earthy foods would pair nicely with this. I love the woodsy aromas of these wines. I confess, I would love to open the same vintage of a number of these vineyard designates alongside each other: Pisoni, Dierberg,La Encantada, Sleepy Hollow…who did I miss? Ah, Clos Pepe. I have not followed the label for long, so no idea if each vineyard is represented in each vintage. But the idea is intriguing…

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Just a personal preference. Just not a fan of the Santa Lucia Highlands, in general. Lots of $40+ pinots that don’t fit my wheelhouse from aroma to mouthfeel to flavor. They are unique and distinctive for sure.

The one exception is Sleepy Hollow which is one of my favorite vineyards.

Jason

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Have 4 of these and they are here.

Will have to dig one out soon,

Thanks

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Beautiful nose of sour cherries, red licorice, spicy underbrush and black pepper. Sour cherries, and spicy black raspberry fruit on the palate with quite mouth puckering acidity. Just a little lacking on the finish keeps it from being a blockbuster.

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2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/2/2020)
– decanted 30 min. before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over 2.5 hours –

NOSE: very expressive; ripe and red-fruited; hints of earth and pine.

BODY: medium garnet color with slight bricking at edges; color is of medium-shallow to medium depth; medium to medium-full bodied.

TASTE: lovely ripe red fruits (cherries and berries), but some tertiary elements are present, too (hint of old furniture, savory garrigué – not funky, but rather herbal); high acidity; long finish; 13.5% alc. not noticeable; some oak is noticeable, but it’s not obtrusive; I’ll be damned if this hasn’t found another gear — it continues to be in its prime window, but this bottle is better than the last a couple years ago; striking a beautiful primary/tertiary balance right now.

50, 5, 13, 18, 9 = (95 pts.)