2019
The 2019 Merlot Hudson Vineyard is a total bomb. Beautifully ripe and exotic to the core, the 2019 possesses tremendous depth, richness and textural intensity. Inky dark fruit, spice, lavender and chocolate all build as this explosive Merlot shows off its allure. Even with all of its intensity the 2019 retains terrific structure and verve. These are the oldest vines planted at Hudson and date back to 1986, eons ago by Napa Valley standards. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous (January 2021) 93-95 points
2018
Arietta’s 2018 Merlot Hudson Vineyard shows the cool, savory style of Carneros. Dried herbs, licorice, menthol, gravel and spice lend striking aromatic complexity throughout. This is an especially savory, nuanced style. The 2018 is a fabulous wine that will challenge readers’ conceptions of what Napa Valley Merlot is all about. The Arietta wine emerges from the oldest vines Merlot vines at Hudson, planted in 1986. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous (January 2021) 94 points
This is a deliciously memorable Merlot, youthful in tannin and oak, with an herbal, earthy elegance that remains lengthy on the palate. Dark chocolate, crushed rock and beautiful black fruit balance against each other and provide substance and great style. – Virginie Boone (Janaury 2021) 95 points
2017
The 2017 Merlot is fruity and easygoing, with soft contours and silky tannins that make it a pleasure to taste today. Super-ripe dark cherry, spice, leather and cedar wrap around the succulent finish. This is a very pretty, exotic Merlot. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous (January 2020) 92 points
2016
From the great vineyard site in Carneros, this 100% varietal wine from the site’s oldest vines is earthy, rugged and generous in flavor, oak and heat, with a persistence of structure and tannin. It unfurls itself slowly to show succulent cassis, nutmeg, graphite and blueberry compote, layers of complexity that lead to a soft, graceful finish. – Virginie Boone, The Wine Enthusiast (December 2019) 94 points
2015
The 2015 Merlot Hudson Vineyards is plump, juicy and absolutely delicious. Dark cherry, raspberry jam, mocha and sweet spice all flesh out in the glass, but it is the wine’s freshness and overall vivacity that stand out most. An impeccably balanced wine, the 2015 will drink well for another 10-15 years, maybe more. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous (January 2018) 94 points
2014
Arietta’s 2014 Merlot Hudson Vineyards is gorgeous. Surprisingly, it is also richer, deeper and more pedigreed than the Quartet and Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage. Exquisitely layered and supple, the 2014 possesses striking depth to match its creamy, inviting personality. Layers of plum, black cherry and mocha built into the supple, inviting finish. Naturally, the 2014 is quite young. It can be enjoyed today, but readers who appreciate the complexity that develops only in bottle will have to be patient. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous (May 2017) 94 points
2013
The 2013 Merlot Hudson Vineyard emerges from the oldest vines in Lee Hudson’s famous Carneros vineyard. Deep, rich and unctuous, yet impeccably balanced throughout, the 2013 is a real head-turner. Layers of fruit open up in a distinctive, Merlot endowed with real depth and personality. The 2013 is even better from bottle than it was from barrel. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous (October 2015) 96 points
2012
Arietta’s 2012 Merlot emerges from the oldest vines on Lee Hudson’s vineyard in Carneros. A dark, super-expressive wine, the Merlot is endowed with serious depth, power and structure. Brambly red fruit, smoke, tobacco and grilled herbs emerge from a surprisingly big, structured wine that should drink well for many, many years. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous (December 2014) 95 points
2011
From the oldest vines on Hudson ranch, dating back to the early ’80s, according to winemaker Andy Erickson. Medium red ruby. Captivating floral perfume lifts black raspberry, wild herbs and spices on the nose. Equally aromatic in the mouth, displaying juicy, intense, low-fat flavors of dark berries, wild herbs and crushed rock. By most accounts, the earlier ripening merlot performed well in the Carneros area in 2011 and this example is a standout. The long, slowly mounting finish saturates the mouth with perfume. I’d give this very youthful wine at least a couple years in the cellar for its palate to catch up with its nose. – Steven Tanzer, Vinous (May 2014) 93 points