WineLovers Discussion Group

2010 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (3/30/2013)
Wow is this good. Meaty, peppery, leathery - it's packed with all sorts of deep Syrah elements that harken to the Northern Rhone. It's not remotely fruity. It does have a bit of an acidic edge, but that resolves itself with about an hour of air, leaving a bright but silky Syrah treasure. Fantastic wine.

Sounds great. Do you know if all their syrahs are in this mold (i.e. not typical California in style)? How would you compare them to ESJ?

Most of the Arnot-Roberts Syrahs I have tried are in this sort of Northern Rhone mold. This is the most extreme in that vein. The Griffin's Lair is the most California. The Clary Ranch is sort of in between. This and the Clary Ranch tipped at 12-12.5% alcohol if that tells you anything.

I find the wines more structured and less fruity than ESJ. Love both of course!

David M. Bueker wrote:Most of the Arnot-Roberts Syrahs I have tried are in this sort of Northern Rhone mold. This is the most extreme in that vein. The Griffin's Lair is the most California. The Clary Ranch is sort of in between. This and the Clary Ranch tipped at 12-12.5% alcohol if that tells you anything.

I find the wines more structured and less fruity than ESJ. Love both of course!

Thanks. That is helpful. And sounds very promising. Will look into it, although I see they're also a bit more expensive than ESJ.

David M. Bueker wrote:This and the Clary Ranch tipped at 12-12.5% alcohol if that tells you anything.

If my memory serves me right, I tried their Griffin's Lair Syrah (I want to say the 08 or 09) and it came in under 12% abv. Very lean and meaty.

My Griffin's Lair experience is with the 2010, and it is a much fruitier wine than the other A-R Syrahs I have tried.