WTN: 2014 Idlewild Arneis

[David M. Bueker]

2014 Idlewild Arneis Fox Hill Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (7/8/2015)
Dry yet extremely fruity. This was a hit with knowledgable wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers as well. It was hard to share this because it was so drinkable. Affordable and refreshing, this is just about all I could ask for.

Yup, David...had this a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes you just want something that's lip-smackin' good.
Tom

Sounds good. See this is available at a store near Grand Central, may stop by next time I'm early for a train

[Jenise]

Love seeing this grape coming out of California these days. Had a terrific version from Palmina over the weekend.

Love seeing this grape coming out of California these days. Had a terrific version from Palmina over the weekend.

Well, Jenise...it's not like I know anything about US Nebbiolo, but.....

The Idlewild is outstanding and most people at the NEB#5 public tasting thought it was the most European
of those Nebbs. Not sure if that's a compliment or not, though.

I like the Palminas as well, though not as well as some of the others. And they're waaay too expensive.
Tom

[David M. Bueker]

Uh...Tom...this is the Arneis thread.

Uh...Tom...this is the Arneis thread.

Doh.....you're right, David. Whatta doofus. You post too many Idlewild TN's.

Try again.....

Jenise,
The Idlewild Arneis is world-class....as good as anything as you kind find from Piemonte I think.
It has powerful aromatics, but still that underlying stony/mineral you expect from Arneis. I think it's
much better than the Palmina rendition. Though I haven't had the Palmina in several yrs.
Tom

[Jenise]

I look forward to trying Idlewild wines some day. But the Palmina was quite respectable--this is the first I've had of theirs, but it had excellent minerality and good fruit without being fruit-forward or chardonnay-ish. Honestly, quite Italian. I haven't followed them at all, but if it's been a few years since you had one I think you'd be impressed with this.

For comparison, we also had a glass of Gruner from another Santa Barbara-Lompoc-ish winery I was previously unfamiliar with, not Terlato but it started with a 't', ended with an 'o' I'm pretty sure, and was three syllables. So much acidity it practically screamed and not enough fruit to carry it--more like verdicchio than gruner. You'd never mistake it for Austrian.

I look forward to trying Idlewild wines some day. But the Palmina was quite respectable--this is the first I've had of theirs, but it had excellent minerality and good fruit without being fruit-forward or chardonnay-ish. Honestly, quite Italian. I haven't followed them at all, but if it's been a few years since you had one I think you'd be impressed with this.

For comparison, we also had a glass of Gruner from another Santa Barbara-Lompoc-ish winery I was previously unfamiliar with, not Terlato but it started with a 't', ended with an 'o' I'm pretty sure, and was three syllables. So much acidity it practically screamed and not enough fruit to carry it--more like verdicchio than gruner. You'd never mistake it for Austrian.

Well, Jenise that Nebbiolo....ooopps...wrong thread again.

I take it that is supposed to be a compliment??? I think the Idlewild is a world-class Arneis because it has a richness & texture and powerful aromatics that you don't (often) get from Piemonte, plus that underlying mineral/stoniness you find typical in Arneis.
Of course....if you think great Arneis are only those thin/mean/eviscerated/panty-waist one from Piemonte, then the Idlewild is not your cupa tea!!

The SBC Gruner you had was the Tatomer. The last version had a screechy acidity to it...sorta like ClareVlly Riesling...but I think it'll be pretty interesting in 4-5 yrs. It's not quite as good as the Solminer GV and not nearly as good at the Carlisle.
Tom

I am eager to try the Idylwilde also.

Have been enjoying for a couple of vintages the CAMPO VIDA Arneis out of Mendocino County (the winery is in Hopland). Not enoguh experience to compare the wines, but I also got lovely minerality with some rich fruit from that wine as well.

For Bay Area folks, they have a tasting room on Linden Street in the industrial belt off Third Street between Downtown and West Oakland BART. Linden Street Brewery is their co-tennant.

In the context of this Arneis, what does "affordable" mean?

In other words, what's the price?

It doesn't exist in the market I'm in, which is not unusual, but extremely annoying.

[David M. Bueker]

$30

But then I live the life of double income, no kids, so my affordable is someone else's special occasion bottle.

On the Idlewild theme, I've been enjoying their Valdiguie the last few days, a good summer red.

Mark Lipton

On the Idlewild theme, I've been enjoying their Valdiguie the last few days, a good summer red.
Mark Lipton

Yup, Mark...sometimes you just want something that's lip-smackin' good. The Valdigue fills the bill.
And EdStJ Bone-Jolly likewise.
Tom