2010 Reserve Speciale Cabernet Sauvignon
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Spéciale is laced with gravel, black fruit, smoke, tar, licorice and earthiness. Savory notes develop later, adding nuance. The 2010 is deep, powerful and explosive to the core, with tons of character as well as potential. The Réserve Spéciale is a blend of fruit from Smothers-Remick Ridge and Justi Creek.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
More forward, but still a long distance runner is the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Speciale, which was still in barrel when I tasted it. From a number of different vineyards, most notably the Monte Rosso as well as the Smothers and Lassiter vineyards, it reveals dense black cherry and black currant notes intermixed with notions of loamy soils and vanillin. This full-bodied, powerful, tannic Cabernet needs to be cellared for 4-5 years, and drunk over the following 20-25 years. As most readers may know, Dick Arrowood and his wife, Alis, sold Arrowood to the Jackson Family, but the style of wines produced appears to be largely unchanged by winemaker Heidi Von Der Mehden. As always, there are some terrific values in the portfolio, and, as evidenced by my past purchases of some of Arrowood’s wines, they can age remarkably well. Tel. (707) 935-2600