07 Wine Ratings

Ratings from Wine Spectator

ARROWHEAD MOUNTAIN VINEYARD
Zinfandel Sonoma Valley 2007

Rating: 91 points | $40 | 833 cases made | Red
Big and coluptous, and though this could use a firm backbone of acidity, it's appealling for its exotic, superripe wild berry, smoke and meat aromas and soft, ripe huckleberry pie and spicy licorice flavors. Drink now through 2014.

-T.F.

Review from Piedmont Post

2007 Arrowhed Mountain Zinfandel, $40
A new producer to me, the Arrowhead Mountain exhibits sweet jammy kirsch liqueur-like aromas along with hints of pepper and dried herbs. Great texture and ripeness balanced out with acidity.

06 Wine Ratings

Ratings from Wine Spectator online

JC CELLARS Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Arrowhead Mountain Vineyard

Vintage: 2005
Score: 90
Release Price: $35
Country: California
Region: Sonoma
Issue Date: Oct 31, 2007

A no-holds-barred Zinfandel. Dense and intense, with superripe blueberry, plum, and smoky, meaty aromas leading to potent blackberry liqueur, espresso and cracked pepper flavors that build toward the finish. Drink now through 2012. 498 cases made. –JL

JC CELLARS Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Arrowhead Mountain Vineyard

Vintage: 2003
Score: 86
Release Price: $35
Country: California
Region: Sonoma
Issue Date: Jan 01, 2006

Ripe and intense, with firm, vivid wild berry, blackberry, licorice and earthy, minerally flavors. Finishes with a flash of heat and dry, earthy tannins. Drink now through 2008. 146 cases made. - JL

COPAÍN Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Arrowhead Mountain Vineyard

Vintage: 2001
Score: 89
Release Price: $32
Country: California
Region: Sonoma
Issue Date: Sep 15, 2003

A bold, ripe style that's rich and potent, with layers of currant, raspberry, plum, and vanilla flavors, along with a whiff of cabbage. Toasty oak folds into a vibrant, concentrated finish, with firm, ripe tannins. Drink now through 2008. 260 cases made.

-JL

COPAÍN Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Arrowhead Mountain Vineyard

Vintage: 2000
Score: 88
Release Price: $32
Country: California
Region: Sonoma
Issue Date: Jun 15, 2002

Meaty, beefy, Syrah-like Zinfandel, with chunky herb, steak tartare, blackberry and cedary oak notes. Has a muscular yet appealing style that begs for grilled steak or barbecued ribs. Shows some heat on the finish. A bull in a China closet? Drink now through 2007. 200 cases made. -JL

JC Cellars The Impostor California 2005

Score: 92
Release Price: $32
Country: California
Region: Other California
Issue Date: Oct 31, 2007
Top 100 Wine
Year: 2007 Rank: 52

As exotic as it is potent, with deep blackberry liqueur, sandalwood and wild game aromas and rich, ripe cassis, blueberry and licorice flavors that power on toward the bold, spicy finish. Zinfandel, Mourvédre, Petite Sirah and Syrah. Drink now through 2012. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,143 cases made. – JL

Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma Valley 2002

Score: 88
Release Price: $30
Country: California
Region: Sonoma
Issue: Web Only (2004)

Dark, intense and deeply concentrated, with spicy, racy raspberry, tar and mineral flavors that gush across the palate, finishing with a long, saturated aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. 190 cases made.
-JL

2005 JC Cellars Arrowhead Mountain Vineyard Sonoma Valley Zinfandel ($35)

What sold us: Winemaker Jeff Cohn loves to rhapsodize about this site precipitous enough to put German vineyards to shame, with some areas nearing a 60% slope. From a late-ripening year, this is Cohn at his finest; at first sniff, the nose soulfully says Syrah, with meaty black pepper meshed with toasty cherry, blueberry, and roasted plum. The it delivers a sweet gush of Zin fruit, capped with graceful tannic grip. The softness on the palate toward the finish reaffirms it's Zin-ness, all while the aromas telegraph Cohn's love of all things Rhone.

Where to find: Arlequin Wine Merchants (San Francisco), Draeger's (Los Altos)

-J.B.

Ratings from eRobertParker.com

2005 J C Cellars Zinfandel Arrowhead Vineyard

Rating: 91 points
Producer: J C Cellars
From: Sonoma, North Coast , California , USA
Variety: Zinfandel
Drink: -
Estimated Cost: $38
Source: WA, #174 Dec 2007

Perhaps the measure of just how good a winemaker Jeff Cohn is is the strength of his 2005 Zinfandel Arrowhead Mountain . From a very challenging year for Zinfandel, Cohn has turned out one of the vintage's finest wines. It is deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by loads of briery, peppery, spicy fruit, good acidity, medium to full body, and a substantial mouthfeel. Previously recommended: 2004 Petite Syrah Frediani Vineyard (93), 2004 Syrah Caldwell Vineyard (91), 2004 Syrah Fess Parker Vineyard (92), 2004 Syrah Philary Vineyard (96), 2004 Syrah Rockpile Vineyard Haley's Reserve (93+). Tel (510) 749-9463; Fax (510) 864-0897

-Robert Parker

2004 J C Cellars Zinfandel Arrowhead Vineyard

Rating: 87
Producer: J C Cellars
From: Sonoma, North Coast , California , USA
Variety: Zinfandel
Drink: 2006-2011
Estimated Cost: $35
Source: WA, #168 Dec 2006

The 2004 Zinfandel Arrowhead Vineyard offers plenty of black raspberry, sweet cherry, spice box, and peppery notes, medium to full body, and some disjointed tannins and acids poking through. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. Kudos to Jeff Cohn for another brilliant line-up. Previously recommended: 2003 Cuvee Isabelle Rhodes Vineyard (92), 2003 Petite Syrah Frediani Vineyard (92+), 2003 Syrah Caldwell Vineyard (91), 2003 Syrah California Cuvee (89), 2003 Syrah Fess Parker Vineyard (90). 2003 Syrah Philary Vineyard (90+), 2003 Syrah Rockpile Vineyard Hailey's Reserve (93+), 2003 Zinfandel Arrowhead Vineyard (92), 2003 Zinfandel Iron Hill Vineyard (94), Tel. (510) 749-9463; Fax (510) 864-0897

- Robert Parker

2003 J C Cellars Zinfandel Arrowhead Vineyard

Rating: 92
Producer: J C Cellars
From: Sonoma, North Coast , California , USA
Variety: Zinfandel
Drink: 2006-2009
Estimated Cost:
Source:

JC Cellars' 2003 Zinfandel Arrowhead Vineyard (146 cases) is from a site planted on a steep slope in volcanic rock (Copain also produces an amazing Zin from this vineyard). It boasts a dark ruby/purple color, big, sweet raspberry and cherry fruit notes, and a heady, spicy finish. Although not complex, it is a classic Jeff Cohn creation – full, flavorful, interesting, and provocative. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. Tel. (510) 749-9463

2005 J C Cellars The Imposter

J C Cellars

A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from California , USA

Source: Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
Reviewer: Robert Parker
Rating: 90
Maturity: Drink 2007-2010
Current (Release) Cost: $30-$35 (30)

An intriguing blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Mourvédre, and a touch of Viognier, the 2005 The Imposter is a bistro-styled, flamboyant red displaying loads of character, a silky texture, and plenty of spicy red and blackberry fruit intermixed with a floral component. Drink this delicious, sensual wine over the next 1-3 years. Previously recommended: 2004 Petite Syrah Fedriani Vineyard (93), 2004 Syrah Caldwell Vineyard (91), 2004 Syrah Fess Parker Vineyard (92), 2004 Syrah Philary Vineyard (96), 2004 Syrah Rockpile Vineyard Haley's Reserve (93+). Tel. (510) 749-9463; Fax (510) 864-0897

2002 Copain Wines Zinfandel Arrowhead Mountain

Rating: 95 points
Producer: Copain Wines
From: Sonoma, North Coast , California , USA
Variety: Zinfandel
Drink: 2005-2012
Estimated Cost: $35
Source: WA, #157 Feb 2005

The 2002 Zinfandel Arrowhead Mountain is one of the candidates for Zinfandel of the vintage. From a vineyard planted on a steep slope outside the town of Sonoma , it was aged in French oak (50% new), and offers up superb notes of black fruits, licorice, pepper, and flowers. With amazing concentration, an opulent, full-bodied palate, and fabulous length, it transcends most wines made from this varietal. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. Tel (707) 541-7474; Fax (707) 541-7575

-Robert Parker

2001 Copaín Wines Zinfandel Arrowhead Mountain

Rating: 95 points
Prodcucer: Copaín Wines
From: Sonomoa, Nort Coast , California , USA
Variety: Zinfandel
Drink: -
Estimated Cost: $35
Source: WA #149 Oct 2003

This blockbuster, black/purple-colored Zinfandel, from a steep vineyard cropped at one ton of fruit per acre, exhibits great depth and intensity as well as wonderful briery, berry fruit with notions of ground pepper in the background. A prodigious effort, it is unquestionably one of the stars of the vintage. Tel (707) 541-7474

-Robert Parker

2000 Copaín Wines Zinfandel Arrowhead Mountain

Rating: 88 points
Prodcucer: Copaín Wines
From: Sonomoa, Nort Coast , California , USA
Variety: Zinfandel
Drink: 2002-2005
Estimated Cost: $30
Source:

The dark plum-colored 2000 Zinfandel Arrowhead Mountain boasts a big, smoky, earthy bouquet with abundant pepper, noticeable oak and underbrush. This medium to full-bodied, chewy Zin will provide attractive drinking over the next 2-3 years. Tel. (707) 541-7474

2002 Carlisle Winery Zinfandel Arrowood Mountain

Carlisle Winery

A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from

Sonoma Valley , Sonoma , North Coast , California , USA

Source: Wine Advocate #157 Feb 2005
Reviewer: Robert Parker
Rating: 93
Maturity: Drink 2005-2013
Current (Release) Cost: $33 (33)

The 2002 Zinfandel Sonoma Valley , largely from the Arrowood Mountain Vineyard, boasts an opaque purple color, great definition, an extraordinary nose of espresso, pepper, blackberries, raspberries and melted road tar. Full-bodied, with super richness, a huge mouthfeel, and a whopping texture, this stunning Zinfandel can be enjoyed over the next 7-8 years. Tel. (707) 566-7700; Fax (707) 566-7200