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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.5 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 84 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Hamersly on 1/8/2022 & rated 93 points: The first bottle I've opened that hasn't been a little tight. Gorgeous aromatics, a bit vegetal on the palate. Excellent but time to drink up! (1115 views) | | | Tasted by Goldstone on 12/30/2021 & rated 94 points: Lunch on the terrace (cafe EPURE, Shop 403, inside Epure, Level 4, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong): Drank over lunch on the terrace at Epure. The last of a case purchased in 2010 and now finally fully mature. Decanted for 3 hours then then drank over the next 2 hours. Still almost totally opaque red-purple-black colour but now lighter at the edges than when last drank in early 2016. Nose remains precision-ground graphite, red briar fruit, star anise, black liquorice stick, blackberry fruit....really complex, super precise and mesmerising. Almost silence-creating. Palate has a very fresh acidic attack with very pure and precise blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, a minerality of schist rocks. Nice blackberry seeds tannic structure and delineation, very fresh, lifted and refined. A classic 'Napa does high end Bordeaux'. Contemplatively long and reverberant on the finish. Absolutely 'at point' and the right time to finish this last of a case that I had been waiting to share with friends I knew would appreciate it. I'm amazed that this wine is not better known. 94+ (1100 views) | | | Tasted by Ruby99 on 10/9/2021 & rated 92 points: Brick at the edge
Sweet dark fruit nose with a hint of savoriness and leather
Sweet (and a bit tart) black cherries predominate on the palate. Still has a fair amount of tannin and the finish is 30 seconds long at least
We decanted this and it improved over time.
Our last bottle unfortunately, but very nice and drinking beautifully tonight (1100 views) | | | Tasted by mflesh on 5/7/2020 & rated 92 points: I think this one is on the back edge of the hill and starting ever so slightly to lower itself into the grave. Started with a bit of rhubarb. But this one did improve over 2-3 hours and actually did soften. Used saddle leather, tart cherry nose. Entry that was a bit interesting. A bit of barbecued meat, dehydrated blackberries and black cherries. "Smoked graphite" note going on here. Showing integration, this one transitions to a nice finish but has a little too much grittiness and tart and almost leaves a sour taste. Nice wine. Glad I opened it now, and if you have this one you need to open yours up as well! (1999 views) | | | Tasted by Quiet Lion on 11/14/2019 & rated 94 points: Pop and pour. This kept improving over three hours without decanting. Mature, smoky Merlot-based blend at full maturity. Savory red fruit, sous bois, firm tannins, integrated acid. After two hours ago the body got silky smooth so don't miss that. Drink in the next few years. (2241 views) | | | Tasted by Hamersly on 6/24/2018 & rated 94 points: No significant change in tasting notes from my last bottle in 2015. Superb. (2805 views) | | | Tasted by Gnieboer on 2/24/2018 & rated 90 points: I was expecting more from this bottle. Decanted for an hour, consumed in the next two. Tawny red, and started with a lot of promise with a strong cassis bouquet. Medium-bodied with silky tannins, but instead of opening up more as the evening progress, it seemed to fade away. (2498 views) | | | Tasted by prism on 4/5/2017 & rated 95 points: Slow O'd for two hours. Scrumptious Napa Red Bordeaux Blend. Great on pour, became even richer and more layered ar the end of the bottle. No sign of flagging. Drink or hold. (3441 views) | | | Tasted by Goldstone on 2/20/2016 & rated 94 points: Chú Xī (除夕) Dinner for Chinese New Year (Greg & Sayo's House, Hong Kong): Decanted for 3 hours then re-bottled for 3 hours then drank over the next 2 hours. Apart from some intense crystallisation on the foot of the cork it looked like it had been bottled yesterday. Colour is an almost totally opaque red-purple-black colour with the slightest lightening at the edges. Nose is precision-ground graphite, red briar fruit, star anise, black liquorice stick, blackberry fruit....really complex, mesmerising and super precision. Fantastic. Palate is super-fresh acidic attack with very pure and precise blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. Super semi-firm tannic structure and delineation, very fresh and lifted.....thunderous resonance and reverberance.....thunderstorms....really refined. This hangs inside your skull and hovers with its reverberance and its unwillingness to let you go. Gosh! (4808 views) | | | Tasted by ageverett on 1/24/2016 & rated 94 points: Decanted for 3 hours. Some slight bricking, but holding its color very well. Lovely, interesting nose with purple and black fruit and some black tea. Lean and lucious on the palate. Medium to medium-plus finish that was very satisfying.
This wine is pretty prime for me, but I'm sure it will also hold on for years to come. (4515 views) | | | Tasted by Hamersly on 12/13/2015 & rated 94 points: Marvelous, lavish nose of flowers, dark berries and cassis. Rich, complex and layered in the mouth but not heavy despite its opulence. The wine took several hours to open up, and even then the tannins were very firm (but not harsh). This wonderful wine is just now entering its prime drinking window, and should be even better in a couple of years. (3122 views) | | | Tasted by cns on 11/14/2015 & rated 93 points: Prime time for this wine ... but needs a solid decant! (3121 views) | | | Tasted by juicejammer on 10/22/2015 & rated 89 points: Not as good as my last bottle. This displayed more oak and less fruit. Not as bright and a touch dryer. (2386 views) | | | Tasted by Goldstone on 2/27/2015 & rated 94 points: Decanted for two hours before drinking over the next two to accompany a fantastic rare 40oz Tomahawk steak at Shore Restaurant in Hong Kong. No detailed notes because it was a raucous Friday night with friends but this wine really sang and impressed everyone. It is absolutely in its prime drinking window now. Medium-bodied, elegant and very refined....quite Bordeaux-ish, although not as much so as the Ridge Monte Bello 1996 we drank the next evening. (2784 views) | | | Tasted by sachsen on 12/12/2014 & rated 93 points: May not last to 2024, but certainly benefitted from air before aromatics and palate hit their respective peaks. (2424 views) | | | Tasted by Wine_lvr on 8/3/2014 & rated 94 points: Very dark in color. Nose of licorice, cassis, dark berries and chocolate. Very powerful finish, long and has a wonderful structure. Even if this is quite a opulent wine, it is very smooth and elegant. Great PVR as all the Ariettas I have tried. Drink now - 2022 (3063 views) | | | Tasted by mxpbuy on 6/21/2014 & rated 93 points: An abundance of overripe blueberries, red fruits and some blackberries. Very smooth. A mouthful. 30 second finish. Hints of cedar and sweet Oak. (2741 views) | | | Tasted by mxpbuy on 2/8/2014 & rated 94 points: Best bottle yet. Fully open within 30 minutes. Clicking on all cylinders. Red, blue and black fruits on nose and palate in layers, hints of spice and dried herbs, sweet Oak, a solid 30+ second finish. Smooth, nearly silk, with rich and full mouthfeel. Half a teaspoon of sediment at end, which came to quickly. (3352 views) | | | Tasted by affordableCollector on 12/1/2013 & rated 88 points: red, orange, in color. plum, currant, spice, on the nose. blueberry, black currant, spice, espresso, tar, leather, on the palate. high acid, medium tannins, on the finish. (2780 views) | | | Tasted by Mr T on 11/13/2013: BRR describes this wine very well and really quite light on its feet with good acidity but also ripe fruit...clearly starting to show its age and bricking...very pretty wine (2544 views) | | | Tasted by Goldstone on 11/12/2013 & rated 95 points: OMFG......what a difference 3 years have made since I last tried a bottle from this case. Treated with appalling nonchalance because I'd had a bad day and just opened something to pop and pour....but wow, is this good. It is a perfect Californian Bordeaux blend......pencil lead and cedar shingles on the nose, with a palate that is a near-perfect balance of fresh vibrant acidity, perfect integrated tannin like a pair of new-ish cowboy boots that have just recently adapted to the shape of your particular foot, and waves upon waves of perfect and precise blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant. Long and resonant finish. Has just entered its broad drinking window but I am throwing out my own usual reticence and recommend this as DRINK THIS NOW! This will play an Arietta of Mozart, Bach, Brahms, Scalleri, Albinoni or whomever you love. I love it when you come across the right wine on the right day and just want to shout it to the heavens. Brilliant. (1858 views) | | | Tasted by rjtcellars on 11/7/2013 & rated 94 points: Remarkable now, but plenty of time left in this one. I think it's going to get better in 3 to 5 years. (2178 views) | | | Tasted by BRR on 5/12/2013 & rated 93 points: Not decanted. Some bricking. Aromas leap from the glass: dark black cherry, cedar, a touch of smoke, sasafrass. Great nose. On the palate, again, black cherry, raspberry, and a decent amount of tannin. Good finish. Great now, and could age another 10 years. At or nearing peak, IMO. (3050 views) | | | Tasted by Mjbachenheimer on 4/6/2013 & rated 93 points: Beautiful nose, simple and silky, with a long delicate finish. Wish I had a few more bottles. (2862 views) | | | Tasted by sachsen on 3/27/2013 & rated 93 points: A little funk at first, which blew off after an hour to reveal a very nice wine. Still seemed young--can last for years more. 93+ (2751 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, The 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Stepping Back in Time (Apr 2023) (4/1/2023)
(Arietta Red Blend H Block Napa Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Arietta – A Complete Retrospective: 1996-2015 (May 2017) (5/17/2017)
(Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson Vineyards Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2004, IWC Issue #114
(Arietta H Block Hudson Vineyards Red Wine Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2003, IWC Issue #108
(Arietta H Block Hudson Vineyards Red Wine Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Arietta Producer websiteRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa / SonomaSONOMA: The Yorkville Highlands AVA, approved in 1998, is located in the southwestern corner of Mendocino County, between Sonoma County's Alexander Valley to the South and Mendocino County!s Anderson Valley to the North. The region is 25 miles long, roughly in the shape of rectangle and bisected by Highway 128 which runs the length of the AVA. The region!s terrain is hilly and forested, with elevations ranging from 1,078 to 2,442 feet above sea level.
The distinguishing features of the Yorkville Highlands AVA are rocky soils with a high gravel content and the climate, which is cooler than Alexander Valley but warmer than Anderson Valley, and significantly cooler at night than the surrounding areas.CarnerosStraddles the southern ends of Napa & Sonoma Counties. |
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