I know, I know, it’s way too early to be opening these wines. They are still a little shocked from bottling and shipping, so they won’t show like they should. That said, I am like a kid at Christmas with this stuff, and I just have to see what we have this year.
2006 Arcadian Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard- USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (4/15/2009)
Gave it a quick run through the decanter and back to the bottle to let it take in a big breath of air. Toasty oak and lemon zest on the nose, with pears, citrus, and vanilla that transitions into a more butterscotch and apricot finish. Lovely creamy texture and coating mouthfeel. I don’t think that this one has the depth of flavor that the 05 does, and I would have liked to have gotten a little more acid out of it, but I think that with time it will all come together nicely. Still a super elegant wine and one of the best Chards I have had. Don’t touch again until late 2009 or 2010.
2006 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard- USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (4/15/2009)
Vinturi’d into the decanter and drank over about 2 hours. Took this bottle at least an hour to get over the shock, but when it did start to come around, woah momma! Beautifully Burgundian in styling with eucalyptus, sweet spices, strawberries and cherry cola on the nose. Flavors are more fruit driven with dark cherries, spice, and a bit of blood orange. Really refreshing, elegant, and well balanced, this will be a phenomenal stuff in 4-5 years. Totally approachable now, but I would wait to pop another until next summer at least.
No doubt. This was just a little experiment to see where they were at and gauge how long I want to let them be before I really get into them. Won’t be touching any others until next year at the very earliest, but I’d like to stay away from the reds for 3+.
I whole heartedly agree. The 05 SH Chard is phenomenal. Not really a chard drinker to be honest, but that bottle is inspired stuff.
I was thinking of opening the 06 SH tonight. Thank you VERY VERY much for the update. Joe emailed me to let me know what to do with it when I asked if it needed a decant since Heather encouraged me to pop a bottle to see the progression.
With that said if you wanted to take a crack at one my suggestion would be to decant into vessel with lots of surface area, put some cellophane over the cover and then put into the fridge for several hours. When you’re ready to sit down to the wine pull from the fridge and let come up to cellar temp 55 degrees and enjoy. Several minutes in your glass will warm more quickly then to remain in decanter.
I think I need to buy some more 05 SH. Stuff is amazing.
Thanks for the note Jeremy. I think I got a hook up on a couple 06 Sleepy Hollow Chards. The more Arcadians Chards I have of all ages the more I realize these are some of the best in California, period. You may have your $80-100 Auberts. Joe blows them away at less than half the price.
drank Peter Michael Bette Colle and 06 Arcadian Sleepy Hollow. Night and day. GEEZ. That decant did the sleepy hollow right. decanted at 4:30 drank at 9:30, until 12am and the acidity is still going strong. It kind of tastes like a sauv blanc tho with the tropical fruit and acidity. I’ll write up some notes tmrw, also popped an 07 carlisle montafi. WE BE KILLIN BABIES TONIGHT!
but $28 for the sleepy hollow chard? NO FUCKING JOKE. QPR of the century for california chardonnay. I wish i could get the 05 at $28, i’d buy a case right now geez
No doubt, Cris. And as Charlie points out below, with the GCS Early Release program they are doing right now we get it for about 1/3 of the price of the Auberts, or Kistlers, or what have you.
No doubt! How would you compare the 05 and 06 even at this young age? I found the 06 to be a little less complex, but I didn’t decant it the way you did, so I KNOW it didn’t show as well as it could have.
I have trouble forming the right words, but the 05 is far more exciting on the palate than the 06. The finish is very similar but the laser like focus of flavor in the 05 is not as powerful in the 06. The 06 seems to be a bit weak right now, like everything is still trying to come together.
Finished off the 06 Purisima Mountain Syrah after letting it sit open in the bottle over night. One word…Y-U-M!
2006 Arcadian Syrah Purisima Mountain Vineyard- USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley (4/16/2009)
Killed another baby here, but at least this time I let it breath overnight to allow it to put its best foot forward. The nose on this wine just absolutely blew me away, even from the pop. Lush blackberries, cassis, violets, black licorice, black pepper, and a lovely herbasciousness that I can only describe as garrigue. When I had a taste of this at the pop, it was pretty tannic with lively acidity throughout, but never out of balance with the ripe fruits and peppery, spicy earth flavors. On day two, all of this softened and integrated into a wonderfully complex wine that I wish never would have ended. Not having much experience with Cote Rotie, my mind immediately compares this to some of the best CdP that I have had, namely Pegau. Give it at minimum 2-3 years, but I think after 5+ it will be incredible.
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