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The Reviews Are In ...

THE WILDER SIDE OF CALIFORNIA - Doug Wilder, Issue 67 - 2003 Arcadian - Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley; Vinfolio rating: 98 points Joe Davis has done something unusual for most wineries; he has nearly tripled production of his Dierberg Vineyard Pinot Noir in one year, and the wine has gotten better. Arcadian produced about 250 cases in 2002, and the wine received a VF 94 rating making it into my "Top 25 of 2005". It was a significant wine among Pinot Noir I selected last year. In regards to the 2003, the production is about 700 cases now, which is still small. I was instantly enchanted when I tasted this wine last week and have taken a large position in it; Vinfolio is the first to offer it. I spoke with Joe on the phone today, and he mentioned that the changes in fruit they are receiving from Dierberg includes some Pommard clone. The overall blend is now roughly balanced with additional clones 31, 13 and 115. Joe agreed with me that the Pommard gives the wine substantial richness throughout.

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2002 Arcadian Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Monterey (Sep/Oct 06) 91 ($45) Deep red-ruby color. Initially reticent nose opened to reveal black fruits, gunpowder, candied violet, mocha and black pepper. Sappy, saline and densely packed; not as fruity as the Pisoni but really blossomed in the glass, showing increasing sweetness and fat with aeration, along with complex flavors of currant, smoked meat and violet. Finishes with sweet tannins and sneaky length. (A second bottle was equally rich but not as delineated or primary; this one merited 88 points.)

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2003 Arcadian Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Monterey (Sep/Oct 06) 90 ($35) Deep straw color. Musky, high-toned aromas of pineapple, smoked meat and honey. Concentrated, tactile and saline, with somewhat exotic flavors of apple, papaya, pear skin, toffee, honey and brown butter. Finishes dry and stony, with a slight phenolic bite.

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard Santa Rita Hills (Sep/Oct 06) 90(+?) ($50; 13.6% alcohol) Medium red. Aromas of strawberry, spice, smoke and earth. Juicy, tight and imploded but minerally and pure, with firm acids and solid tannic spine. Showing more intensity than fleshiness today, but appears to be built to age. Finishes with excellent length. How refreshing to find a California pinot under 14% alcohol. Like most of Joe Davis's pinots, this one needed extended aeration to show its stuff.

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Monterey (Sep/Oct 06) 90 ($45) Medium red. Musky aromas of strawberry, smoke, nutmeg and herbs, plus a whiff of game. Spicy red berry flavors offer good fat and sweetness as well as density, cut and lift. Finishes firmly tannic, juicy and persistent. (An earlier sample, which I scored 89 points, was a bit sweeter and fuller in the mouth, but showed more game and mineral notes than primary fruit and finished a tad dry.)

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Rio Vista Vineyard Santa Rita Hills (Sep/Oct 06) 92 ($65) Good full, deep red. Pungent, tangy aromas of raspberry, cherry, spices, flowers and herbs. Rich, lush and sweet, but with lovely tangy spice character to the flavors of red berries, cola and underbrush. Compellingly smooth pinot, finishing with sweet tannins and excellent length.

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard Santa Maria Valley (Sep/Oct 06) 90 ($50) Medium red with a palish rim. Rather reduced nose offers spices, meat, mocha and smoke. Supple and plump, with strawberry, mineral and smoke flavors complicated by lovely pinot earth character. Very sweet, smooth wine, finishing with supple tannins and very good length. (A second bottle offered similar aromas and flavors but was a bit drier on the finish, with dusty tannins, rating 88 points.)

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard Monterey (Sep/Oct 06) 91(+?) ($80) Medium red. Blackberry, cranberry and mint on the nose, lifted by pungent cinnamon and flowers. Juicy and nicely delineated, with a slightly high-toned flavor of cherry cola. Finishes with firm tannic spine and excellent length.

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2002 Arcadian Syrah Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands (Sep/Oct 06) 90 ($30) Dark, bright ruby-red. Distinctly rustic, musky nose reminded me of an old-style Cote-Rotie. Musky and meaty on the palate, with intriguing notes of minerals, graphite and smoke. Not a fruity style but offers a captivating lightness of touch. Finishes juicy and persistent. I never would have picked this as a California wine.

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2003 Arcadian Syrah Evans Ranch Santa Rita Hills (Sep/Oct 06) 93 ($55) Ruby-red. Deep, ripe aromas of black raspberry and dark chocolate, with complicating notes of flowers, herbs, pepper and leather. Opulent, even a bit obvious, for a young wine from Arcadian, but the piquant, harmonious acids give a savory character to the very rich, tactile black fruit flavors. A dense, primary wine with terrific sugar/acid snap. Finishes with a wave of palate-coating dark berries and excellent length.

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2002 Arcadian Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard Santa Maria Valley (Jan/Feb 06) 92 ($50) Good saturated ruby-red. Compellingly bright, pure aromas of cassis, violet, licorice and mint. Juicy, intense and penetrating, with bright but integrated acidity framing the flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, candied violet, spices and minerals. A light saline quality adds complexity. Finishes with strong dark fruit flavors and excellent length. A no-brainer, and remarkably full-flavored and satisfying for a pinot with "only" 13.8% alcohol. Why can't more California producers do this?

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2002 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard Monterey (Jan/Feb 06) 92(+?) ($80) "Moderately saturated medium red. Pungent, tangy and complex on the nose, offering notes of redcurrant, raspberry, white pepper, flowers and brown spices. Firmly built, juicy and light on its feet, with penetrating mineral and spice character. Clos-Saint-Denis meets Chambolle Amoureuses! Finishes firmly tannic, with intense red berry flavors. Only 13.7% alcohol. An outstanding example of this vineyard: this should age very well for California pinot."

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2002 Arcadian Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard Santa Maria Valley (Jan/Feb 06) 92 ($50) "Good saturated ruby-red. Compellingly bright, pure aromas of cassis, violet, licorice and mint. Juicy, intense and penetrating, with bright but integrated acidity framing the flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, candied violet, spices and minerals. A light saline quality adds complexity. Finishes with strong dark fruit flavors and excellent length. A no-brainer, and remarkably full-flavored and satisfying for a pinot with "only" 13.8% alcohol. Why can't more California producers do this?"

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2002 Arcadian Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Monterey (Jan/Feb 06) 91(+?) ($35) "Soil-driven nose offers pear skin, pineapple, iodine and macadamia. Juicy and penetrating in the mouth, with slightly wild, pungent flavors of citrus fruit, iodine, flowers and smoke. A somewhat funky, rather Burgundian-style chardonnay with plenty of personality. Finishes dense and quite long."

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2002 Arcadian Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard Santa Rita Hills (Jan/Feb 06) 86(+?) ($50) "Good full red. Slightly high-toned aromas of redcurrant and spicy oak. A distinctly drier-style wine, with rather bracing acidity, even a suggestion of grapefruit. This has intensity but also a slight sour edge and some finishing dryness. Will this round into form with time in bottle? A second bottle was similarly hard-edged."

The Grape Press Issue VI 2005 - "And his new Santa Maria Pinot Noir, 2003 (only 470 cases made and we got twenty-five of ‘em.) is a fabulously affordable introduction to just how incredible central coast Pinot, in the hands of the "gifted and passionate" can be - at $20.99 this is great stuff - a real beauty with gorgeous, expansive mouth-feel and complex (trademark Arcadian) flavors and aromas of strawberry, plum, cherry, rhubarb and Asian spices ... so much going on in there ... so little wine to be had ..."

The Grape Press Issue VI 2005 - "And his new Santa Maria Pinot Noir, 2003 (only 470 cases made and we got twenty-five of ‘em.) is a fabulously affordable introduction to just how incredible central coast Pinot, in the hands of the "gifted and passionate" can be - at $20.99 this is great stuff - a real beauty with gorgeous, expansive mouth-feel and complex (trademark Arcadian) flavors and aromas of strawberry, plum, cherry, rhubarb and Asian spices ... so much going on in there ... so little wine to be had ..."

Paul Root - Root's Cellar Arcadian-Lucia-Pisoni-Roar-NOW - "2003 Roar Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir...Ultra-ripe, silky, glycerol, Crème de Cassis, wild, late summer blackberries wrapped around smoky cherry wood with a dash of cinnamon. This is a great example of why the Santa Lucia Highlands (SLH from now on) region is getting so much attention.

Santa Barbara News Press (09/01/05) Schaefer On Wine: Winemaker follows the path of artisanal Burgundies - "... with winemaker Joe Davis at Arcadian Winery, based in Santa Maria, everything is always 'more' Burgundian."

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2001 Arcadian Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard Santa Rita Hills (July/Aug 2005) 86+ ($62) - "Good medium red. Reticent aromas of red plum, red cherry, menthol and flowers, with some scotch-like tarry oak. Then a bit aggressively spicy in the mouth, with elevated acids and scotch tones currently clashing. In a distinctly awkward phase."

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2001 Arcadian Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Monterey (July/Aug 2005) 90 ($50) - "Medium red with a pale rim. Strawberry, smoke, mocha, cola and earth on the nose. Nicely concentrated and silky-smooth, with Burgundian flavors of strawberry, earth and underbrush. Thick, sweet and plump but manages to hold its shape. Finishes sweet and persistent. Nicely balanced, accessible pinot, with a firm edge of acidity.With extended aeration, this showed a deeper red color and brighter aromas of raspberry and underbrush; a growing silky sweetness; and distinctly firm-edged tannins, with late notes of minerals and woodsmoke."

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2001 Arcadian Pinot Noir Gary's Vineyard Monterey (July/Aug 2005) 92 ($62) - "Red berries, spices, mocha, rose petal and underbrush on the nose; showed lovely perfume as it opened in the glass.Began a bit disjointed and spirity, but showed much more sweetness with aeration, becoming quite silky, with a sappy wild raspberry aroma and deep flavors of red fruits, spices and underbrush. The acids seem more thoroughly integrated than those of the Sleepy Hollow. Ultimately quite Burgundian in style, finishing with suave tannins, lovely subtle persistence and noteworthy structure.These are utterly fascinating wines that grew distinctly deeper in color with extended aeration and showed fresher aromas and flavors too."

Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2001 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard Monterey (July/Aug 2005) 88+ ($97) - "Good deep red. Brooding, reticent nose offers black cherry, rose petal, mint and some high-toned, edgy oak. High-pitched and tightly wound; penetrating but a bit youthfully rigid. Compared to the Sleepy Hollow and Garys' bottlings, this is distinctly drier in the mouth, with a darker fruit character. Finishes youthful and persistent, but quite dry.Extremely unevolved pinot, in need of at least a couple more years of patience.With aeration, this showed more finishing sweetness and length, but remained relatively unyielding."

BURGHOUND.COM (3rd Quarter 2005 - Issue 19) THE ULTIMATE BURGUNDY REFERENCE - "Readers should know that Joe Davis’ goal is to create serious, long-lived and intense Burgundian styled wines ..."

Robert Parker.com Discussion Board (June 19, 2005) - "The best Pinot I have ever had was the 2002 Arcadian Francesca, an entirely different style, and a staggering Burg replica." - Roy Piper

Wine Skinny.com (June - July 2005) For the inside skinny on wine! - "2001 Pinot Noir Lafond Vineyard ($24). Dark black plum and cherry fruit is laced with wild mushroom and wet earth -- a Heathcliff of a wine and an excellent value at this price. Delicious now and over the next five or six years." Locate this wine in your area!

Wine Skinny.com (June - July 2005) For the inside skinny on wine! - "2001 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard ($45). Lush and voluptuous, with ripe black cherry flavors layered with bacon fat, toasty vanilla, earth and smooth spices. Maintains a sense of elegance, even with all these big flavors and a fair amount of grip. Would be a lovely match for most foods -- and practically begs for something with bacon and mushrooms! Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years." Locate this wine in your area!

Wine Skinny.com (June - July 2005) For the inside skinny on wine! - "2000 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard ($75). The 2001 vintage of this wine is on the way, but if you still have a chance at any of this 2000 -- you should take it. Practically Perfect Pinot, with complex layers of flavors that are beautifully integrated -- no single thing stands out. Red berry, plum, black cherry, tobacco, mushroom, sweet spices, earth, smoked meats, toast, just a touch of vanilla. Long, focused, elegant finish. Very good now and over the next eight to ten years." Locate this wine in your area!

Santé Magazine (June 2005) The Magazine for Restaurant Professionals - "2001 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay - Complex aromas lead to a full bodied, rich palate with concentrated, complex fruit including ripe apple, peach/nectarine, pineapple, and mango plus a hint of butterscotch. Lobster, roasted chicken, pork." Sante Gold Star Award Winner

Santé Magazine (June 2005) The Magazine for Restaurant Professionals - "2002 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir - Medium to full bodied, rich, and spicy with complex aromas and flavors of ripe red and black fruit, game, mushroom, herbs, rhubarb, and roasted coffee. Duck, pheasant."

Santé Magazine (June 2005) The Magazine for Restaurant Professionals - "2000 Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir - Medium to full bodied, exceptionally well balanced, and complex with lush, ripe red and black fruit, strawberry preserves, meat, mushroom, and toasty oak; long finish with subtle hints of spice. Beautiful. Pork loin, beef stroganoff."

Paul Root - Root's Cellar A Taste & Toast to "Sideways" - "Joe Davis's 2002 Arcadian Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir ... How can it be that this wine's been around since last October and we weren't told about it?"

The Pinot Report (11/30/04) for people passionate about western pinot noir - "Incredible power, depth, elegance ..." - See page 4 for reviews of Arcadian's pinot noirs.

Monty and Sara Preiser's It's Time for Wine California Quality Pinot Noir Gives Burgundy the Blues. - "Joe is a master and all of his wines are distinctive and sophisticated ..."

Patty's Pinot Closet Dedicated to the total enjoyment and appreciation of Pinot Noir wine. - "Intense dark color with dark red fruits flavor and a silky taste in the mouth following with a long finish..."

The Pinot Report (October 2003) for people passionate about western pinot noir - See page 4 for reviews of Arcadian's pinot noirs.

Robert M. Parker, Jr's The Wine Advocate The Independent Consumer's Bimonthly Guide to Fine Wine - "These impressive wines are hand-crafted from low yields, bottled gently, and handled with care."

Morrell & Company - "Extremely rich, ripe aromas of honey and honeysuckle with pineapple and hay nuances, even a touch of marzipan and vanillin."

Weekend Journal - The Wall Street Journal Tastings / By Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher - "... and such outstanding winemaking is not an accident."

Decanter.com the route to all good wine - "My favourites include: The Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of newcomers, Joe Davis at Arcadian"

Wine Enthusiast Magazine Wine Enthusiast | Buying Guide - "The bouquet of this "big and chewy" Syrah is a complex tiramisu, black-cherry and smoke melange."

The Wine Cellar Wine Tasting by Kristian Denis - "All violets, blackberries and raspberries on the gorgeous, evocative nose...then velvety, stunning dark fruit on the palate..and a finish that lasts for ever and ever."