WTN: 2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir, Santa Maria

[Jenise]

A friend was making duck for dinner so I chose a pinot to take along. I had no idea what the prep was nor had I had this bottling before, but had I been familiar with both I could not have chosen better. The duck breasts were marinated in a cold broth with ground dried figs, anise seed and thyme, then seared off and oven roasted to perfection, and the pinot was cherry/raspberry fruit with a ton of spice and earthy, loamy character. Color's a good dark red and developing a bricking hue on the rim. It's in an absolutely perfect place right now with enough youth left to leave no doubt as to the grape but with enough maturity to make one wish to slit one's wrists over any bottles consumed before the wine got to this stage. Just lovely.

[David M. Bueker]

Sounds lovely. Clearly you had not opened any previously, but will you get to have the wine again?

[Jenise]

Yes, I have another bottle. You're right that I hadn't opened one before, but I did open several others. Come to think of it though, those were likely all 01's, as is the Pisoni I still have. The Santa Maria was the only 03.