Kudos to Dick Arrowood for making such a hot shot cab.  His Amapola Creek, 2008 Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is striking.

Arrowood first turned heads with chardonnay when he was the winemaker of Chateau St. Jean in the 1970s and 1980s. He then stepped out with his namesake winery — Arrowood — which he eventually sold to Robert Mondavi in the 1990s. Today it’s owned by Kendall Jackson.

Throughout Arrowood’s twists and turns, he’s made impressive wines. I remember when he won the Press Democrat Cabernet Retrospective with his Arrowood, 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. He also made an Arrowood White Riesling that was a standout and his Amapola Creek Zinfandel was equally impressive.

The Amapola Creek cab at $60 is definitely worth the splurge. Invent something to celebrate if you have to — this is a not-to-be missed cab. It’s complex with a great undercurrent of spice and notes of blackberry, cherry and herbs, with a lingering finish.

A knockout.