Always great to hear from the winemaker. Thank you, Joe.
Cheers,
Doug
2005 Arcadian Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (3/24/2021)
– decanted 15 min. before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over 2 to 3 hours –
NOSE: “cool” red fruits — red currant, red licorice rope, and perhaps a hint of raspberry; nice savory bent, with a light hit of Pinot funk (not brett); medium+ expressiveness.
BODY: garnet color of medium-light depth w/o obvious bricking; medium-light bodied.
TASTE: high acidity; to tannin; tart red fruits (cranberry; red currant); some red licorice here, too, as on the Nose; medium-light oak; alc. not noticeable; fantastic pairing with pork tenderloin and wild rice; some cherry. Well, here we are – 15 years post-vintage – and this wine has finally let go and relaxed. To be clear, this is still youthful, but it’s finally giving of itself; it’s been five years since my previous bottle, and the transformation that has taken place in that time is somewhat mind-blowing. This wine has been closed-in on itself for years – possibly a decade – and it’s finally emerging. This still has a bit of a green/leafy edge to it, which is in line with previous showings, and is perhaps a reason to be cautious going too far out with it in the cellar, but still — the progress this has made shouldn’t be discounted. Drink or Hold.
50, 5, 13, 16, 8 = (92 pts.)
Brian,
Great note. The wine is waking up.
Cheers,
Doug