No, it's not a misprint...Here's your opportunity to purchase the new-release wines of the artisans listed above. As most of you are aware, these are micro-produced, insanely cherished and appreciable items. I honestly don't think there are more sought after wines (regardless of variety) on the market today. Given the over-all quality of the current generation of winemakers/producers...that in itself says a great deal about the perceived excellence, excitement and desire which these goodies generate. As you might expect, availability is limited, and I sincerely ask that you respond A.S.A.P. in order to bag a box for yourselves. After discounts-$500.00.
None of these wines will find their way to our homes...at Root's Cellar; the customer is priority #1! ...(Dammitt.)
My taste buds are STILL lost in the (Santa Lucia) Ozone
Unlike a number of other "sell out in a heartbeat", "commit now or I'm out the door" wines...we actually get to taste the efforts of the Pisoni, Franscioni and Davis families. This morning we were blessed with the opportunity to sample every bottle included in this offer. I can tell you that any wine lover fortunate enough to acquire and enjoy this collection will share in our enthusiasm...no, fascination at the stunning depth, concentration, massive fruit, layered complexity and mind-blowing finish which these wines possess...just flippin' amazing.
Roar...Need I say more? (One more poem and I'm going home)
*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. Deep, succulent with ripe black-flesh plums, sweet oak and aggressive, pure, highly extracted fruit. Yea... I know I'm always making fun of reviews like the one I just wrote...this wine will do that to you. Parker says "91"...The dark ruby-plum colored '03 Pisoni exhibits a gamy, forest floor, sweet currant and cassis-scented bouquet. Its elegant, ripe, full-bodied personality reveals heady alcohol along with plenty of length and overall purity."
*2003 Roar Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir...As I mentioned above, the (Gary) Pisoni and (Gary) Franscioni (hence, "Garys'") families want their select retailers to taste their wines in order to act as exclusive ambassadors in promoting the unique and seductive qualities of their hand-crafted vinous offspring. (Lucky us). I pounded my fist on the copper counter after taking a tentative sip of the Garys' a few hours ago. Oh-My-Lord, what a magnificent duo of wines these are (and the Arcadian, Lucia and Pisoni's' haven't been opened yet!) It is our habit to abstain from actually consuming any wine during business hours, and I have to tell you that I was dearly tempted to forego that policy with these slurp-grenades. This is a classic Garys'...nearly dry farmed in the SLH Highlands (they have to truck water up to the hills), which creates intense, naturally concentrated Pinot berries which, even given minimal extraction make wine you can barely see through. Big Bob says "More earthy, with cinnamon, spice box, herb, plum and cherry characteristics, the '03 Garys' is made in a completely different style than the regular bottling. More spice-driven with an austere finish...it is an excellent Pinot to drink over the next 3-5 years".
Why Roar? According to Gary and Rosella, if you stand at the base of the hills looking up to the highlands during the rainy season you can hear little more than the ROAR of the run-off as it cascades down to the creeks below. (I think that's what they said...I may have dreamt it) After tasting the '03 Pisoni, Gary said "I can't stop smiling"
*2-2003 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir...The Pisoni family (Eddie and Jane) has farmed table produce in Monterey County for nearly 60 years. A celery crop profit in 1979 provided the down payment for the Santa Lucia Highlands property that eventually became "Pisoni" Vineyards. Their son, Gary has passionately grown Pinot Noir (and a smidgen of world-class Chardonnay) for the last 20 vintages. His sons, Mark and Jeff are the winemaker/vineyard management team which completes the Pisoni triumvirate. A companion label to the Pisoni brand, "Lucia" was introduced in 2000. The "Pisoni" label will be used for the estate Pinot exclusively from this day forward.
My notes on the '03..."Yikes!...multi-dimensional...layers of creamy fruit flavors...cassis, blueberry jam infused with cherry pie spice...somewhat floral...hints of sweet pomegranate blended with Dr. Pepper...creamy, silky, soft on the tongue...enormous extraction yet undoubtedly Pinot...reminds me of the D.R.C.s' we tasted back in '85. Very serious wine. In the most recent "Wine Advocate" (Parker) there were only a few wines which scored equal or superior ratings to the Pisoni..."Sine Qua Non" equaled the Pisoni's "94", Sea Smoke "Ten" captured 2 additional points and the Brewer Clifton "Ashley's" nailed a "96"...that's it, and Parker's tasting included the Bonaccorsi, Calera SVs', Foley, Siduri and Talley Pinots. That in itself is significant) -Parker's review;
*2003 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir..."94"..."The exuberant, Gary Pisoni and his sons have fashioned a spectacular '03 Pint Noir from Pisoni vineyard. Its dense purple color is accompanied by gorgeous aromas of forest floor, black and blue fruits and hints of charcoal as well as white flowers. Rich, full-bodied and opulent, with enough acidity and structure to provide definition and vibrancy. This beauty can be drunk now and over the next 7 years".
*2-2003 Lucia Garys' Vineyard Syrah...A magnificent wine. A jewel in the glass. Just a drop on the tongue will adequately provide the necessary stimulus to write this review. So generously concentrated...so packed with a cornucopia of fruit flavors...where to begin?...this isn't wine, it's ambrosia...yet I don't think the "Gods" would know what to do with it...better suited for us poor mortals who are doomed with a limited terrestrial pull date...wines like this give us a means of taking a sip of eternity. Wonderful...just wonderful.
With Halloween on the horizon, this is a perfect opportunity to fill out this case with three gorgeous Santa Lucia Highlands "Sleepy Hollow" Vineyard wines made by Joe Davis at Arcadian Winery.
The Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is a hilly, 450 acre site near the Pacific which is planted on Arroyo Seco gravelly loam soil thus allowing excellent root penetration (that one's too easy). The vineyard and accompanying geology provide the vines with excellent sub-soil minerals which naturally benefit the grapes with enormous flavor complexity. (That is no B.S....a local grower is always quacking about the benefits of gravelly loam and Sandy loam...although the latter might have been his girlfriend...I'm not sure).
Joe Davis IS Arcadian. In 1985 he met and went to work for Dan Lee of Morgan (one of Monterey Counties first Pinot visionaries), and five years later urged Dan to begin his Pinot program. (The '03 Morgan's just received HUGE scores in the California Grapevine...we're getting our last shot at them next week, and I'll write em' up when I'm finished with this little jewel) Joe always felt that the cool, central state coastal region was ideal for the production of wines similar to his ideal, Domaine Dujac. Subsequent comparison tastings have proven him right on the money. As with many of the top French producers, Joe feels that hand crafted, small production Burgundian varietals require a minimum of 12 months bottle ageing prior to release, making his wines far more approachable and relatively mature than their neighboring counterparts in most vintages. This policy also benefits the potential longevity of the Arcadian wines.
A Toast to Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow
Fall is my favorite time of the year. Always has been. I like to listen to Van Morrison's Autumn Song..."Little stroll past the house on the hill, some more coal on the fire if you will, and in a week or two it'll be Halloween...Set the page and the stage for the scene..."
No better time of the year for checking the flue in order to have that first crackling fire on a windy, cool afternoon. Even better time to pull the cork on a bottle of really great Arcadian wine. Nobody does Sleepy Hollow better than Joe...we have 3 wines to entice you with;
*2-2002 Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir...I believe that Joe has hit the proverbial long ball over the left-field fence with his current crop. Without question, they are the finest wines the Dude's yet produced (a quick check of Parker's previous scores would suggest that that I'm pretty impressed by the '02s'...arguably California's greatest Pinot vintage ever). Loads of silky black cherry and cola flavors wrapped up in mulling spice and a hint of cocoa. Muy Yummy. Parker describes Joe's Sleepy Hollow Pinot as;
*The Prodigious Sleepy Hollow Vineyard boasts a dark ruby color, and a gorgeous, complex nose of flowers as well as red and black fruits. It builds incrementally in the mouth to reveal Burgundian-like earthy notes in addition to more softness, expansiveness and a longer finish than the Bien Nacido. This is a wine of cunning intensity, harmony, power and finesse. It will drink beautifully for 6-7 years. Brilliant! A top flight PN."
*2-2002 Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Syrah...Santa Maria! What a wine. Big Bob has described Joe's Syrahs as very Cote Rotie-like, boasting aromas of smoky bacon fat/lard along with abundant quantities of blackberry and cassis. The wine possesses great purity, full body, low acidity and tremendous density as well as richness. It will drink beautifully for 8 years". Apparently, Bob's mortal after all!
It's interesting to note that Parker had tasted the Arcadian wines THINKING he was reviewing Bonaccorsi. He later printed a correction saying "the tasting notes and score were correct, but it was the Arcadian, not Bonaccorsi...my apologies for the mistake".
Joe Davis KNOWS Chardonnay
*2-2001 Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay... as with his Pinots, Joe aims for Burgundy with his Whites and hits the mark every year. Parker describes THIS wine as "90"... "Chablis-inspired, chalky, medium bodied exhibiting notes of white currants, peaches and stone fruits. Crisp, delicately layered and impressively endowed, it should be consumed over the next 4 years". I agree with Parker's assessment, but I'll add that in MY opinion, the '02 is made closer to a classic Mersault. Very rich, fairly viscous and creamy with loads of pear, apple, sweet spice, vanillan-oak and a fairly rich finish. Talbott has always made a wonderful Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay and I think Joe has taken their lead and run it into the end zone. Just to review, Joe feels that his Burgundian styled Chardonnays deserve an additional year in the barrel AND the bottle. When you take a sip of this wine ANY trite fears you may have regarding its maturity will disappear like a breeze in an Autumn afternoon.