Syrah Sonoma Coast
2019
Duncan Arnot Meyers grew up around wine. His father's best friend was Bernard Portet of Clos du Val, and much of Duncan's youth was spent in Napa Valley. He was mentored by John Kongsgaard and worked side by side with Pax Malhe, Northern California's cult syrah specialist, until June 2008. The "Roberts" in Arnot-Roberts, is Nathan Lee Roberts, second generation master cooper, whose grandmother is Margot Biever Mondavi; Nathan's mother Annie Roberts was executive chef at Robert Mondavi Winery....
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Ground black and white-pepper aromas jump out of the glass with pine and red fruit as well. Medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins. Such a lovely toasted expression of ground and whole spice, bark and crushed blackberry. What a tasty wine! Drink or hold. Tasted from a magnum.
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The 2018 Syrah (Sonoma Coast) is fabulous. Inky, peppery and savory, the Syrah Sonoma Coast is just tremendous. I especially like the interplay of fruit density and energy. The 2018 is somehow rich and yet also light on its feet. A rush of blueberry, black pepper, sage and mint builds in a racy, super-expressive Syrah that hits all the right notes. Bright floral-infused top notes punctuate the finish. The Sonoma Coast Syrah is a blend from Que Syrah, Clary Ranch, Baker Lane and Solas.
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One of the highlights in this range, the 2019 Syrah is gorgeous. Bright red/purplish berry fruit and floral notes race out of the glass. The 2019 was done in equal parts of cement and neutral French oak, an approach that brings out striking purity in the flavors of this blend taken from Solas, Baker Lane, Clary Ranch and Que Syrah. Beautifully layered and aromatic, with terrific balance, the 2019 delivers the goods and then some.
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The 2017 Syrah (Sonoma Coast) is a gorgeous wine and a huge overachiever in its peer group. Bright red cherry and plum fruit, rose petal, lavender and spice abound in this super-expressive, pliant Syrah. The purity of the flavors is simply remarkable. Medium in body, gracious and beautifully perfumed, the 2017 is a rock-star wine.
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The 2014 Syrah North Coast is quite possibly the single best wine in the Arnot-Roberts range this year when it comes to quality and price. Pliant, expressive and giving, the 2014 possesses notable depth and intensity. Lavender, sage, menthol, blue/purplish fruit, licorice and graphite meld into the rich, textured finish. The 2014 was done with 100% whole clusters, but that does not take away from the wine's immediacy and sheer deliciousness, even at this early stage. Duncan Arnot and Nathan Roberts have chosen to focus on Sonoma Coast sites, many of which are bottled separately by many other producers, including Solas, Baker Lane, Clary Ranch, Que Syrah and Griffin's Lair, which is why this wine is now labeled Sonoma Coast (previously it was North Coast).
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