2009-2011 VINTAGE WINES
This sixth vintage of Arietta Red Wine "Quartet" features a superb vineyard source planted by viticulturist David Abreu in 2003. Thee vineyard, located in the relatively cool climate of Coombsville, was planted as if it had been designed for Arietta Quartet: just under two acres of Cabernet Sauvignon (Clones 4 and 337), a half-acre of Merlot, and a quarter acre each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Thee fruit produces wine which is plush and classy without being heavy – ideal for Quartet, which is made to be approachable upon release. We spend many happy hours blending Arietta Quartet, which is composed of numerous small lots. Thee judicious addition of fruit from Arietta's sources in Calistoga and Carneros adds depth, balance, and complexity. Ready to enjoy now, the Arietta Quartet 2010 should evolve beautifully in bottle for five to ten years.
Tasting Notes from winemaker Andy Erickson:
"The 2010 Arietta Quartet is marked by substantial power and structure, which underpin the dark, concentrated, plush core of ripe fruits. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc seem to be driving the overall impression of the wine, with cassis, bramble and sage riding on a solid chassis of carefully extracted tannin and dense color. Th¬e framework is balanced and rounded by soft, supple flavors and textures brought by the addition of Merlot."
For the first time since the 2004 vintage, the 2010 Arietta Cabernet is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The decision not to blend in the 2010 vintage year gives testimony
to the extraordinary quality and reliability of Arietta's two-acre Cabernet Sauvignon block the heart of Coombsville. With the 2010 Arietta wines we
celebrate Arietta's fifteenth vintage, and Andy Erickson's sixth vintage as Arietta's winemaker. Andy's detailed and extensive tasting note as well as
Antonio Galloni's review in The Wine Advocate underline the excitement surrounding the 2010 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon.
"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Arietta is remarkable for its seemingly incongruous - and yet delightful - density, opacity, and brightness. The growing season was particularly mild, with a slow, steady accumulation of heat, and gentle, textbook ripening of color and tannin. In Coombsville, the gravelly, volcanic soils naturally moderated the crop level, and the cool temperatures made for very balanced, dark, aromatic wines. In the end, the pure Cabernet Sauvignon we produced from our 2-acre block of Clone 337 stood alone as the best expression of the variety in this unique vintage, so in the end the wine is not a blend of varieties, as is our usual practice. The wine has near-black purple color, the hue reflecting the wine's power and energy. The aromatics are intense and expressive, ranging from flint, earth, and chaparral, to fresh blueberries, kirsch, vanilla bean and campfire. These many layers continue to the palate, and, along with a dense, rich mid-palate, the wine is alive and fresh in terms of acidity. This wine will benefit from aging, as it is packed with potential." - Andy Erickson, Winemaker
"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon bursts from the glass with layers of bright dark red fruit, flowers, spices and mint. It shows terrific energy, focus and delineation. This is another hugely promising wine from Arietta. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025." – Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate, 12/31/2011
Arietta's unique white wine, "On the White Keys," is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. While this blend is typical of Grand Cru White Bordeaux, Arietta "On the White Keys" 2011 also resembles the finest upriver Loires in its fresh and bracing presentation of Sauvignon Blanc. The goal of the winemaking is to marry a vibrant entry to a long and complex finish. The former is accomplished through the choice of unusually intense hillside Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma Mountain, selective use of stainless steel barrels, partial blockage of malolactic fermentation, and bottling relatively young at nine months. The latter is accomplished through 100% barrel fermentation, the use of approximately 52% new French oak barrels, and the addition of Semillon from thirty year old vines in the Hyde Vineyard in Napa/Carneros. is year for the rst time 10% of Semillon from Calistoga was included in the final blend.
Tasting Notes from winemaker Andy Erickson:
"...lemon curd, citrus zest,grapefruit. Mouthwatering acidity, but with juicy, tropical fruit favors. Cool growing season with long hang time meant full ripeness with purity of aromatics, and generous acid. Late-harvested Semillon, afected by botrytis, contributes caramel and flint notes, as well as a broad dried fig character tothe palate that adds to the length."
Blend: 79% Sauvignon Blanc, 21% Semillon
Fruit sources: 80% Sonoma Mountain, 10% Carneros, 10% Calistoga
Cooperage: New French oak 52%, second use French oak 16%, stainless steel 26%
Production: 400 cases
Release date: 7/9/12
A blend of 78% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot, the 2009 Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson Vineyards exudes beautiful, enticing aromas of hardwoods, fresh blueberries, and late summer rain. Alluring from the outset, the wine continues to open with time in the glass. On the palate, it shows an incredible finesse and balance, the fresh berry character leading to added layers of toast, leather, and wild flowers. With all its freshness and grace, one can only imagine that the Arietta H Block 2009 will continue to improve for easily a decade or more.
Blend: 79% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot
Fruit sources: 100% Hudson Vineyards, Carneros
Cooperage: 88% new French oak
Production: 345 cases
The Arietta Variation One 2009 is a dense, aromatic, singular wine produced by cofermenting two very diff erent varieties - Merlot and Syrah - grown on land uniquely suited to both. At once plump and solid, the wine shows the best of both varieties, with Merlot (48% in this vintage) providing a juicy fruit-forward package, buttressed by a rock-solid framework of Syrah (52%), with its smoky, mineral complexity and fi rm structure. The experience is a rare mingling of baked blackberries, anise, fresh bread, and campfi re aromas. A balanced wine of considerable weight and density, the Arietta Variation One 2009 is built to last.
Blend: 52% Syrah, 48% Merlot
Fruit sources: 100% Hudson Vineyards, Carneros
Cooperage: 92% new French oak
Production: 250 cases