Amapola Creek Cuvee Alis, Sonoma Valley, California, USA 2015

AK 93

Pouring the 2015 Amapola Creek Cuvée Alis into the glass is like releasing a Sonoma Valley secret—a Rhône-inspired blend that dances between rugged earthiness and polished charm. This wine, crafted by the legendary Richard Arrowood, is a tribute to his wife Alis, and it carries her namesake with a spirited grace that’s hard to forget.

The color catches the eye first: a deep garnet with a whisper of purple at the edges, hinting at its youthful vigor even a decade on. Swirl it, and the bouquet unfurls like a mountain breeze through Mayacamas slopes—think ripe Morello cherries and mulberries tangled with a dusting of five-spice and cracked black pepper. There’s a savory undercurrent too, a faint whiff of smoked herbs and leather, as if the vineyard’s volcanic soils have whispered their story into the bottle.

On the palate, it’s a revelation. The 2015 vintage—blending Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre in a harmonious trinity—strikes with a full-bodied richness that’s both opulent and restrained. The fruit is plush, a cascade of dark berries and plum preserves, but it’s the velvety tannins that steal the show, wrapping the tongue like a well-worn saddle. A thread of minerality runs through it, sharp and iron-edged, grounding the wine’s wild soul. The finish lingers, spicy and warm, with echoes of licorice and toasted oak that invite another sip.

This isn’t a wine that shouts; it’s one that beckons you closer, revealing layers with each taste. Pair it with a slow-roasted lamb shank or a slab of aged manchego, and watch it sing. Drinking it now feels like catching it at a crossroads—still vibrant, yet softened by time, with a complexity that promises even more in a few years. The 2015 Cuvée Alis is Sonoma Valley’s untamed heart in a glass, a testament to Arrowood’s mastery and the land’s enduring voice.