VINTAGE NOTES

Arietta 1996. The debut wine for Arietta was a blend of two thirds Cabernet Franc from the Hudson H Block and one third Merlot. The wine exudes the charm of the 1996 vintage and displays forward aromatics and lively acidity. Of all the Ariettas the 1996 is closest to the wines of Bordeaux in weight and texture, and was very well received in a major blind tasting of First and Growth Bordeaux and cult California wines conducted in San Francisco just after release. It is readily identifiable as the only Arietta to include a hint of eucalyptus in the aromas. (290 cases)

Arietta 1997. This was the “break-through” vintage for Arietta. 1997 was a fabulous vintage for Cabernet Franc in Napa, and we briefly considered making a 100% Cabernet Franc wine. In the end Merlot was added to provide additional body and suppleness on the palate. Final composition: 81% Cabernet Franc from the Hudson “H” Block, and 19% Merlot from the Hudson “N” block. The wine’s intensity and opulence belies its composition—try serving it blind to wine savvy friends! Arietta 1997 can be enjoyed now (we suggest decanting to provide aeration before serving), but continues to evolve and improve. (750 cases)

Arietta Red Wine 1998. A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, with all grapes coming from the Hudson Ranch (as is the case for all Arietta wines produced between the 1997 and 2002 vintages.) Of all Ariettas this wine is the most approachable for present drinking, and a great crowd pleaser. It has plenty of power, with a rich, forward, and expansive character. How did we do it in the cool vintage of 1998? Continual thinning of crop until a very late pick (end of October) gave us uniform and very ripe fruit. A number of subscribers have called, asking for more of this wine. Our inability to honor these requests was due in part to our own enthusiastic consumption. For drinking now and over the next five years (plus?). (500 cases)

Arietta Merlot 1998. Co-owner Caren Hatton’s favorite of all the Ariettas, and an absolute miracle wine—we would nominate it for wine of the 1998 vintage in Napa. Creamy, rich, dense, with aromas and flavors of sweet blueberries and buttermilk. Supple and rich tannins will support further aging. You can enjoy this wine now but best to aerate or double decant before serving. (400 cases)

Arietta Red Wine 1999. The rarest of all Arietta Red Wines—only 350 cases were made, and all sold to the mailing list. This was due to the tiny, though intense crop of Cabernet Franc, and our decision to keep the blend 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. The wine is dense, creamy, and dramatically fragrant, with an amazingly naturalistic, ripe “organic fruit” character. Winemaker John Kongsgaard elected not to rack this wine immediately before bottling, and the wine should be decanted off the sediment before serving. Enjoy now with aeration, or save for further evolution. Not to be missed.

Arietta Merlot 1999. A dense, rich wine of great power, with firm tannic support, still on the young side. The size of the Arietta Merlot crop in 1999 (1000 cases of this wine were produced) allowed us to broaden distribution to top restaurants in the U.S. As a result the experience of drinking Arietta Merlot 1999 has generated more calls from enthusiasts wishing to become Arietta subscribers than any other wine. Drink with prior aeration or decantation, but you can anticipate a long life ahead.

Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson Vineyards 2000. The “H Block” designation was first added to the Arietta Red Wine label in this vintage, and honors the extraordinary, 2.3 acre Cabernet Franc block at the top of the Hudson Ranch in Napa/Carneros which forms the core of the wine. This is another miraculously rich and dramatically aromatic Arietta, and once again is a product of a relatively cool and late vintage. Critic Robert Parker gave the 2000 Arietta H Block the highest score of any Napa Red Wine in the 2000 vintage. The blend is 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. This wine has harmonized beautifully in the bottle and is hard to resist, though should evolve for another five or ten years. (600 cases)

Arietta Red Wine Variation One 2000. The first vintage for this revolutionary blend of Merlot (70%) and Syrah (30%). Winemaker John Kongsgaard experimented with blending Merlot with Syrah beginning in the 1996 vintage, and liked the complexity gained by adding the wild, leathery, gamy, and floral qualities of Syrah to the luscious, more fruit-driven flavors of Merlot. Arietta Variation One has been a great success, and tasters have noted that the somewhat richer and grainier tannins of the Syrah make this wine particularly good with grilled meats and game. Bottle aging is needed to subdue the tannins provided by the Syrah. This has now happened to the 2000 Variation One, and the wine is well harmonized, approachable, and most appealing. Drink with aeration prior to serving, or await several years’ further evolution. (500 cases)

Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson 2001. A high toned wine of great verve and pronounced aromatics, with an exciting, expansive finish, from a fine Napa vintage. This is the only time Merlot (60%) has exceeded Cabernet Franc (40%) in the blend. Best to hold a year or two; should evolve for at least five years and hold well thereafter. (650 cases)

Arietta Red Wine Variation One 2001. An exotic, opulent wine redolent of Asian spices, with great depth and length. Also high-toned and forward aromatically, but needs a bit more time to melt the tannins. More Syrah (40%) was added to the Merlot (60%) this year. Best one to five years from now and will hold well thereafter. (550 cases)

Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson 2002. From a resoundingly successful Napa red wine vintage, this is the most critically acclaimed Arietta produced to date. Cabernet Franc (60%) from the Hudson H Block was co-fermented with Merlot (40%) from the Hudson N Block. The wine is brooding, seductively deep, and rich, and beautifully shaped. It has yet to emerge from hibernation, and will have a long evolution—at least ten years. Best to wait a couple of years, at least, if you can. (500 cases)

Arietta Red Wine Variation One 2002. Incredibly deep and exotic, with sweet fruit, leather, and game beautifully knit together. The pick dates of our Merlot and Syrah were close enough for us to co-ferment most of this wine, adding an extra degree of harmony and complexity. Should evolve for five to ten years. If you cannot resist trying it now, we suggest you double decant the wine, recork the bottle, and drink the following day. (550 cases)

Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards 2002. The combination of a splendid vintage and slightly above average yields from the Hudson N Block allowed us to produce the first Arietta Merlot since 1999. This wine may turn out to be the biggest of the three Arietta 2002s. Unbelievably deep, creamy, and rich, with liqueur-like fruit and aromas of herbs, the Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards 2002 proves how classy and complex Merlot can be when this finicky varietal is planted in a suitable microclimate (which is rare). Hold for two years, and drink for the next ten. (600 cases)

Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson Vineyards 2003. This wine demonstrates well the qualities that make the Arietta wines so distinctive: layering of flavors (complexity) and vibrancy (refreshing and well-integrated acidity). Noted wine critic Stephen Tanzer highlighted these qualities in his review of the Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson 2003: “A 60/40 blend of cabernet franc and merlot. Ruby-red. Cool but ripe aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and licorice. Wonderfully thick and dense but with superb life in the mouth. Compelling flavors of black fruits, with inner-palate floral lift. This is even lusher than the 2002. John Kongsgaard has figured out how to do something that too few California winemakers can do: make extraordinarily rich, layered wines that maintain vibrancy. A great showing today. 94-96 points.” (450 cases)

Arietta Red Wine Variation One 2003. Arietta’s source of Syrah in the Hudson Vineyards moved to a particularly desirable portion of Block 4 on the Hudson Henry Road Ranch. This block sits on an ancient creek bed, and is heavily riddled with cobblestones which limit vigor and accelerate drainage. The resulting fruit infuses Arietta Variation One with more intensity, opulence, and sheer juiciness than ever. (The quality of the new block is confirmed by barrel tastings of the 2004). Stephen Tanzer notes: “A 60/40 blend of merlot and syrah, co-fermented. Good saturated ruby-red. Nose offers a compelling combination of syrah and merlot perfume: black raspberry, minerals, licorice, flowers. Dense and thick, but with terrific flavor definition and lift and captivating notes of flowers and graphite. A powerfully structured wine that finishes with explosive fruits and minerals and great persistence…. One of those rare 1+1=3 wines, where the whole is more than the sum of the parts. Obviously, the blend works. 93-95 points.” (450 cases)

Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2003. For Arietta’s first ever Cabernet Sauvignon winemaker John Kongsgaard selected a small quantity of meticulously farmed Cabernet Sauvignon from two spectacular vineyards on Howell Mountain owned by one of Napa’s most talented vineyard managers, David Abreu. Most of the fruit for Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 comes from Abreu’s Thorevilos Vineyard on lower Howell Mountain, and the resulting wine is remarkable for its beauty and purity. Tanzer notes: “Good bright ruby. Knockout nose combines black cherry, blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. Wonderfully sweet and concentrated, with snappy fruit flavors and perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes with broad, dusty tannins. Will make a worthy new entry to the Arietta line-up. 92-94 points.” (250 cases)