The 2009 Pinot Noir Arcus Estate is a bit reticent aromatically but with swirling reveals enticing aromas of sandalwood, exotic spices, incense, and assorted red and black fruits. In the glass it presents plenty of succulent fruit, a velvety texture, and outstanding depth and concentration for the vintage. This lengthy effort has the structure to evolve for 1-2 years and should drink well through 2021+. Veteran winemaker Anna Matzinger appears to have maximized what nature provided in the warm 2009 vintage. She describes it as “a friendly vintage with lots of sunshine in the glass”. www.archerysummit.com

Spicy, fruity and extremely youthful, this complex wine brings black cherry and cassis flavors with subtle notes of cola, licorice, allspice, sandalwood and pine needle. Still quite tight and primary, it has been beautifully sculpted into a focused wine with a long life ahead.——P.G.(3/1/2012)—— 94