| "Arrowood wines are crafted from grapes sourced exclusively
from important vineyards in Sonoma County. The broad array
of flavors provided by the diverse viticultural areas, Sonoma,
Dry Creek, Russian River, Knights and Alexander Valleys and
Los Carneros, allow my husband (winemaker Richard Arrowood)
to layer flavors based on the characteristics that each vineyard
delivers," says co-founder Alis Demers Arrowood. "Richard
has been making wine in Sonoma County for more than three decades
and thrives on the artistic freedom offered by the vineyards
in these distinct appellations. Our 'non-interventional' approach
to winemaking enhances what Mother Nature provides and our
judicious use of oak-aging results in wines that are rich,
bold, intense and complex." To learn more, visit www.arrowoodvineyards.com.
Arrowood "Special Reserve" Chardonnay, Sonoma 2000
Price $38 Rating 93 Starting out with aromas of lemon blossom,
subtle nougat and elegant butter elements, a sip brings a balanced
array of white fruit, soft hazelnut, butter and nice citrus.
Arrowood Pinot Blanc "Saralee's Vineyard" Russian
River Valley 2000 Price $30 Rating 90 The nose offers subtle
aromatics of floral and mineral, then flavors of Asian pear,
white fruit and soft oak nuances. "This is the white wine
for people grown tired of Chardonnay," boasts Arrowood. "In
California, Pinot Blanc is quite often mistaken for 'Melon de
Bourgogne,' a lesser relative.
We are fortunate to obtain our fruit from Saralee’s Vineyard in the Russian
River Valley, one of the few vineyards in California to produce a true, certified
Pinot Blanc clone."
Arrowood Merlot, Sonoma 1999
Price $40
Rating 96
The nose is packed with rich, jammy fruit, getting your attention immediately.
The sip brings complex flavors of dark fruit, mineral, coccoa powder and interesting
herbal notes. This could easily be one of California's finest Merlots. "There
is a small percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend that really lifts the
wine's flavors," explains Alis Demers Arrowood.
Arrowood "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
1999 Price $55 Rating 95 The elegant nose has a range of well-balanced
complexity. One finds dark currant, subtle olive, leather and
Asian spice. There are flavors of black cherry, cassis, mineral,
subtle black olive, gentle herbs with a dusting of coccoa powder
and jam in the long length. "My husband the winemaker, Dick
Arrowood is a musician when it comes to making wine," boasts
Mrs. Arrowood.
"He is a firm believer in the balance of the wine, not unlike an orchestra."
He was a trombone player before he learned winemaking.
Arrowood Syrah, Sonoma 2000
Price $40
Rating 94
The nose offers red fruit and subtle mineral/leather hints. Then there are
flavors of rich red fruit, mineral, black pepper and elegant complexity through
the long, powerful length.
Arrowood Syrah, Russian River 1999
Price $45
Rating 95
Subtle, complex elements of dark fruit, leather and pepper are in the nose
and the sip. This red contains a small bit of the white wine Viognier in the
blend, adding to the complexity.
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