2009-10 VINTAGE WINES
This is the sixth vintage of Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon and for sheer beauty at birth the finest produced to date. The core of the 2009 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon is Cabernet Sauvignon from Arietta's sensational southwest facing two acre block in Coombsville, situated in rolling volcanic terroir in the shadow of Mount George. Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 is most remarkable for its "velour," or velvety and supple character which masks most of its tannin. This sophisticated wine has the majesty, depth and tannin to support an evolution in bottle for ten years or more.
Notes from winemaker Andy Erickson:
"Th e Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 brings Medoc-style depth and balance to Napa Valley, with a nearly opaque, black-purple color, notes of wet gravel, cassis, smoke, and pencil shavings. The wine has an intense fruit-driven attack on the entry, which gives way to more spice and mineral notes. Though beautifully balanced and giving immense pleasure now, this sophisticated wine has the majesty, depth and tannin to support an evolution in bottle for ten years or more."
Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot
Fruit sources: 84% Coombsville, 8% Calistoga, 8% Carneros
Cooperage: 75% new French oak, 25% second-use French oak
Production: 284 cases
With this fourth vintage, 2009Arietta Red Wine "Quartet", we introduce a new primary vineyard source: three acres of closely spaced vines planted by viticulturist David Abreu in 2003. Th e 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. The 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. The judicious addition of fruit from Arietta's sources in Calistoga and Carneros adds depth, balance, and complexity. Ready to enjoy now, the Arietta Quartet 2009 should evolve beautifully in bottle for fi ve to ten years.
Notes from winemaker Andy Erickson:
" The Arietta Red Wine "Quartet" 2009 blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot in perfect harmony. The four Bordeaux varietals come together to form a richly layered, mouthwatering, very seductive wine. The Arietta Red Wine "Quartet" 2009 displays a bright, aromatic, expressive red and black fruit character which is a hallmark of the 2009 growing season. Notes of red currants, raspberry, licorice, and toasty oak provide a completely satisfying experience, even at this early stage in the wine's life. The high fruit tones provided by the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are supported by the richer, darker aromas and flavors of Merlot and Petit Verdot, and together give the Arietta Quartet 2009 superb balance, rich texture, a broad spectrum of aromas and flavors, and a lingering fi nish."
Blend: 62 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 17% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot
Fruit Sources: 70% Coombsville, 20% Carneros, 10% Calistoga
Cooperage: 60% new French oak, 40% second use French oak
Production: 1100 cases
Arietta's unique white wine, "On th e 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" 2010 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 25% new French oak barrels, and the addition of Semillon from thirty year old vines in the Hyde Vineyard in Napa/Carneros. This year for the first time Sauvignon Blanc Musque clone from Carneros was included in the final blend.
Notes from winemaker Andy Erickson:
"Another long, cool vintage, 2010 delivered what is most de finitely the freshest, most vibrant white wine yet produced by Arietta. Our high-elevation Sauvignon Blanc retained so much acidity, and produced wine so forwardly aromatic, that before bottling we had trouble describing the wine in any way other than one would describe the fi nest Sancerre. The final blend, 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon, gushes with vibrant fruit and floral aromas, from orange blossom to lemon rind and pineapple. It is at once incredibly fresh and intensely flavorful, with notes of kumquat, lemon oil, key lime and honey. While the wine was aged in nearly 30% new French Oak barrels, the fruit intensity is so great that the oak is just one small element in the blend. The 2010 On the White Keys is de finitely a crowd pleaser."
Blend: 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon
Fruit sources: 56% Sonoma Mountain, 46% Napa/Carneros
Cooperage: 27% New French oak, 47% second use French oak, 26% stainless steel
Production: 300 cases
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. Th e 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