I was invited on December 21, 2011 to my friend Chris (Anton) Kowalski’s house, along with Joe McLeland and his wife and his friend Ryan Maderak. Ryan recently defended his Doctorate dissertation in Astronomy at the University of Indiana in Bloomington. Drinking four bottling from the 2004 vintage, we had a hedonistic, teeth staining evening of splendid wines.
I was the only “Vincent” virgin, as Ryan had a small collection of bottles given b to him by his faculty advisor, who could afford a lot of wine and liked to share with a young enthusiast. Joe and his wife had visited the winery several years ago and have purchased a case or so every year via the email list. Chris has snagged bottles from the McClelland’s cellar almost every time he has been to their house.
Vincent Arroyo is not available retail, only through the winery and the mailing list. The signature wine is Petite Sirah, although they also make Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and several red blends. Often the Petite Sirah will sell out by the time they are bottled. The family winery produces about 8,000 cases of wine each year.
Following are the four wines and the tasting notes. There was the regular bottling, two vineyard specific bottles and the Winemaker’s Reserve. The last three numbered under five hundred bottles produced. Prices are for current release of these wines. See VincentArroyo.com for details.
1) 2004 Vincent Arroyo Petite Sirah (Regular Bottling), Calistoga, Napa
Current Price: About $32
The wine has beautiful dark edges and deep purple hues throughout the glass. The nose has broad dark berry fruit, but not in the fruit forward way of typical California sirah’s. Somewhat restrained, yet holding a layer of spice, hints of orange peel and a touch of floral, mostly roses. The mouthfeel is deeply concentrated, delivering much of what the nose promised. Very dark berry flavors, touches of leather and graphite in a nicely knitted package. The finish was long, with a berry tang that lasted for minutes. The bottle has a nice acid backbone, not overtly tannic, but a wine that would hold up for several years of aging. A great match for any big meat dish, like grilled steak and mushrooms.
2) 2004 Vincent Arroyo Greenwood Ranch Petite Sirah, Calistoga, Napa
Current Price: about $45
Another dark purple hued wine, maybe a little lighter on the edges then the other bottle. The nose has dark fruit, more spice layers in a broad tone. It opened more as it set in the glass, and it added hints of “forest floor” – an earthiness that is appealing. The mouthfeel is broad with dark berry, leather and spices, There is another level of currants as it opens. Wine is still constrained and concentrated, with an after taste that lingers for minutes. With a backbone like this, the wine should be cellared for about three years and kept up for about 10 years. Another wine to match with hardy fare – grilled items and such.
3) 2004 Vincent Arroyo Petite Sirah Rattlesnake Acres, Calistoga, Napa
Current Price: about $50
The dark purple goes throughout the wine, even on the edges. I mention this because it is the 2004 and this is 2011 – a 7 year old wine that shows virtually no signs of aging or getting old. The nose is restrained with dark berry fruit, graphite and a thin layer of spice. As the wine opens with time, the fruit still stays laid back but hints of floral peek out, though more like lilac than rose. The mouthfeel is dark berry with hints of eastern spices and leather. AS it opens in the glass, there is a hint of iron “file”ings instead of leather. The berry finish is very long lasting. The wine seems still closed after time in the glass. Suggested cellaring is easily five years and you could go ten to fifteen without losing much in this bottle.
4) 2004 Vincent Arroyo Petite Sirah Winemaker’s Reserve Napa
Current Price: about $45
The color is dark purple hued throughout the glass. A somewhat inhibited nose, but dark berry, leather and a hint of floaral, more lavender than rose. There is less spice undertone than the other bottling. The mouthfeel is deep, but almost hot in a way. While the dark berry flavors lead, there is more earthiness in this bottle. A slightly higher alcohol level creates the “hot” flavor that adds to the berry. This being a blend, it is different from the regular bottling and the single vineyard bottles. The “terrior” comes through in the other bottling, while this mixture makes it a little more convoluted. This being said, it is still an outstanding bottle of Petite Sirah, just different from the others. Same great length of after taste, ability to go with big meat and ability to age for six to ten years.
