Coming into its own, but still too early ... try 2012. But with lots of air, this wine is very nicely balanced. Also a good compromise between new world and old world style and just up my alley.
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Still too early ... wait until 2012. But it's coming along nicely. We opened it, decanted for a few hours and then just corked it up, put it back in the cellar and tried over the next two days ... it mellowed out and was enjoyable. This will be a very nice wine starting in 3-5 years.
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Not sure I found the cola mentioned on WS (although it is an intriguing aroma for a red wine) but the cherry and cassis are definitely there, with a nice complex nose that I could spend a lot more time exploring. For the taste, I found the plum and raspberries, but it also had a strong strain of overripe fruit - more like a very dark and ripe cherry, than a bing cherry - and some huckleberry. The finish is long and lingering, with a strong mid-palate to get it going. This is a beautifully balanced Merlot and would be a nice pairing for a leaner steak like a Filet Mignon, a hearty pasta dish or even a pizza.
The Arise is 100% Merlot, which is fitting as Merlot is the centerpiece of all Blackbird's proprietary red blends and Merlot in French actually means "Little Blackbird." The vineyard is located in the Oak Knoll district of Napa Valley and started out as a walnut orchard until 1999 when the orchard was completely re-planted with Merlot vines. Originally, they sold most of their grapes to other wineries and then started to make their own with the 2003 vintage. Turned out to be a great idea...
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The alchohol was a bit high, but otherwise this was extremely good. Medium + purple, nose with blueberry, red fruits and spice. Nice medium + body, smooth tannins, straightforward merlot flavors, an aray of black and red fruit, chocolate, and sweet spices. It really benefited from a long decant to let some of the alch. blow off.
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Borderline Infanticide!! Nice merlot, but does not, in my opinion, warrant the price tag. Good fruit, lots of cherry, plums -- what a Merlot should be like. Medium finish with a bit of heat. Good structure/acidity and an overall well made wine. This wine will definitely do well with another 5+ years of bottle aging. I'll wait 3-5 years before opening another bottle.
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Wow -- what a mouthful of flavor and texture! Decanted for about 40 minutes. Dark red/violet color with a full body; unmistakeable Tootsie-Roll and dark cherry on the nose (very powerful aromas); rich, full, but silky mouthfeel and powerful plum, dark chocolate, dark cherry flavors all well-balanced. This reshaped my perception of Merlot. Open this now and get even more excited about the potential of their more ageworthy blends. Bravo!
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4/21/2013 - bluedog wrote: 92 Points
Excellent. A bit woodsy when initially pured, then quickly opened, balanced, and sung like a bird. Love this wine.
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5/28/2012 - bluedog wrote: 92 Points
Consistently delicious. Hint of smoke, blackberries, smooth, light finish. Drinking very well now.
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10/29/2011 - jeff nowak wrote: 88 Points
no notes, but notice it's on sale for $30.99 as a tasting special which is well below community pricing average.
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8/6/2010 - cns wrote: 92 Points
Coming into its own, but still too early ... try 2012. But with lots of air, this wine is very nicely balanced. Also a good compromise between new world and old world style and just up my alley.
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2/13/2010 - jtclabaugh wrote: flawed
Corked!
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1/10/2010 - cns wrote: 91 Points
Still too early ... wait until 2012. But it's coming along nicely. We opened it, decanted for a few hours and then just corked it up, put it back in the cellar and tried over the next two days ... it mellowed out and was enjoyable. This will be a very nice wine starting in 3-5 years.
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1/1/2010 - garthbernstein wrote:
Cherry, cedar on the nose with a long finish, very, very good.
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12/22/2009 - rjhilgers@gmail.com wrote:
Not sure I found the cola mentioned on WS (although it is an intriguing aroma for a red wine) but the cherry and cassis are definitely there, with a nice complex nose that I could spend a lot more time exploring. For the taste, I found the plum and raspberries, but it also had a strong strain of overripe fruit - more like a very dark and ripe cherry, than a bing cherry - and some huckleberry. The finish is long and lingering, with a strong mid-palate to get it going. This is a beautifully balanced Merlot and would be a nice pairing for a leaner steak like a Filet Mignon, a hearty pasta dish or even a pizza.
The Arise is 100% Merlot, which is fitting as Merlot is the centerpiece of all Blackbird's proprietary red blends and Merlot in French actually means "Little Blackbird." The vineyard is located in the Oak Knoll district of Napa Valley and started out as a walnut orchard until 1999 when the orchard was completely re-planted with Merlot vines. Originally, they sold most of their grapes to other wineries and then started to make their own with the 2003 vintage. Turned out to be a great idea...
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11/18/2009 - thecobalt9 wrote: 95 Points
black cherry, cola, pomegranate - intense, lovely wine, perfect touch of oak, perfect finish.
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10/29/2009 - Weston3220 wrote: 90 Points
Taste Napa Valley [Vancouver, Canada] (Fairmont Hotel, Waterfront): Pretty Nose, Soft Good Tannins, Approachable Soft Fruit.
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7/13/2009 - KWC3141 wrote: 90 Points
The alchohol was a bit high, but otherwise this was extremely good. Medium + purple, nose with blueberry, red fruits and spice. Nice medium + body, smooth tannins, straightforward merlot flavors, an aray of black and red fruit, chocolate, and sweet spices. It really benefited from a long decant to let some of the alch. blow off.
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2/12/2009 - RPerro wrote: 93 Points
Amazing spicyness! Great blackberry fruit, with tasty earthiness, and incredible pepper spice, brought out nicely by the pepperjack cheese we enjoyed.
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11/30/2008 - cns wrote: 90 Points
Borderline Infanticide!!
Nice merlot, but does not, in my opinion, warrant the price tag. Good fruit, lots of cherry, plums -- what a Merlot should be like. Medium finish with a bit of heat. Good structure/acidity and an overall well made wine. This wine will definitely do well with another 5+ years of bottle aging. I'll wait 3-5 years before opening another bottle.
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11/16/2008 - winefool wrote: 91 Points
Nice young vine merlot with plenty of fruit and flavor, but also just a bit of heat for me.
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11/11/2008 - sdatl wrote: 93 Points
Wow -- what a mouthful of flavor and texture! Decanted for about 40 minutes. Dark red/violet color with a full body; unmistakeable Tootsie-Roll and dark cherry on the nose (very powerful aromas); rich, full, but silky mouthfeel and powerful plum, dark chocolate, dark cherry flavors all well-balanced. This reshaped my perception of Merlot. Open this now and get even more excited about the potential of their more ageworthy blends. Bravo!
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