Not the best glassware for this, but it was the best option my beer-geek friends had (they loved the wine!)
Surprisingly my first time trying the AR Gamay, even as a huge fan of Cru Beaujolais AND all the other wines by this team. (For those unfamiliar, Gamay is a grape that is typically grown in the Beaujolais region – a lot less common outside of it, and especially outside of France, but some US producers are making excellent examples, and Arnot-Roberts is one of the better ones I’ve tried.)
Super lovely, light-bodied and pure-fruited; very primary at this early stage but also highly expressive with fresh, breezy, delicious red fruits. Definitely not as bright and zippy as their trousseau, a bit more of a ripe, easygoing, plump juicy raspberry and strawberry preserve (not in the “jammy” sense, but a similar kind of perfume.) Maybe a floral tone to it also. Rosewater or something like that. One friend described it as like raspberry fruit leather with the seeds still in.
Clean and straightforward, no funkiness or other potential umami qualities I sometimes associate with excellent Gamay, but the fruit is a total delight. Acidity is also sort of a little less intense than I imagined- plenty of energy, but not screamingly high as it can be in their trousseau, syrah, pinot, etc. Maybe it could have even used a pinch more acid, but it didn’t need it. Stood up just fine to a pretty heavy gyro too. One of my fave US producers, always.
mabowden
I see Arnot-Roberts, I upvote. Based on my love for the Rose alone.
YungBechamel
I’ve loved all the wines I’ve had from Arnot-Roberts, they truly start to shine 10+ years out imo.
uamike
Thanks for posting and great notes as always! Going there in a few weeks and excited to try them! Anything in particular I should ask to try if it’s not being offered?
IAmPandaRock
Have you tried any Gamay from Story of Soil or Joy Fantastic? Those are two other CA Gamays I’ve have good experiences with.
trillsatan
great wine. super classic gamay, could easily be mistaken for a village offering from a top Beaujolais producer
6 Comments
Not the best glassware for this, but it was the best option my beer-geek friends had (they loved the wine!)
Surprisingly my first time trying the AR Gamay, even as a huge fan of Cru Beaujolais AND all the other wines by this team. (For those unfamiliar, Gamay is a grape that is typically grown in the Beaujolais region – a lot less common outside of it, and especially outside of France, but some US producers are making excellent examples, and Arnot-Roberts is one of the better ones I’ve tried.)
Super lovely, light-bodied and pure-fruited; very primary at this early stage but also highly expressive with fresh, breezy, delicious red fruits. Definitely not as bright and zippy as their trousseau, a bit more of a ripe, easygoing, plump juicy raspberry and strawberry preserve (not in the “jammy” sense, but a similar kind of perfume.) Maybe a floral tone to it also. Rosewater or something like that. One friend described it as like raspberry fruit leather with the seeds still in.
Clean and straightforward, no funkiness or other potential umami qualities I sometimes associate with excellent Gamay, but the fruit is a total delight. Acidity is also sort of a little less intense than I imagined- plenty of energy, but not screamingly high as it can be in their trousseau, syrah, pinot, etc. Maybe it could have even used a pinch more acid, but it didn’t need it. Stood up just fine to a pretty heavy gyro too. One of my fave US producers, always.
I see Arnot-Roberts, I upvote. Based on my love for the Rose alone.
I’ve loved all the wines I’ve had from Arnot-Roberts, they truly start to shine 10+ years out imo.
Thanks for posting and great notes as always! Going there in a few weeks and excited to try them! Anything in particular I should ask to try if it’s not being offered?
Have you tried any Gamay from Story of Soil or Joy Fantastic? Those are two other CA Gamays I’ve have good experiences with.
great wine. super classic gamay, could easily be mistaken for a village offering from a top Beaujolais producer