Arietta White Wine On the White Keys 2017
The Arietta White Wine “On the White Keys” is a blend of hillside Sauvignon Blanc and old vine Semillon. We ferment and age the White Keys for nine months in a combination of new and second-use oak and stainless steel barrels. The label incorporates the manuscript of the Arietta movement from Beethoven’s last piano sonata, Opus 111. The key to the name “On the White Keys” is the melody of the Arietta theme, which is played in its entirety on the white keys of the piano.
Notes by winemaker Andy Erickson: “On the White Keys is crafted in tribute to our favorite white wines from Graves and Entre-Deux-Mers. Our goal is to produce a wine with great structure, depth, and ageability. The 2017 vintage is no exception. A blend of 89% Sauvignon Blanc and 11% Semillon, the wine presents a vivid spectrum of aromas and flavors, delivered in high definition. Candied citrus peel, flint, lemon grass and Thai basil are only a few of the descriptors that come to mind as the wine opens in the glass. This aromatic intensity is matched by the wine’s brilliant gold color. On the palate, the wine is nothing if not incredibly generous, fresh and energetic, having a near-electric quality. Flavors of bergamot, lemon curd, and vanilla bean are held together by an impressive lattice of phenolic strength and complex oak tannin and toast. These delicious white wines have proven to be ageworthy in the serious oeonophile’s cellar. However, this vintage is delicious right out of the gate.”
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc 89%, Sémillon 11%
Fruit Sources: 64% Sonoma, 36% Napa
Elevage: Barrel fermented and aged 10 months in 43% New French Oak, 28% Second Use French Oak, 30% Stainless Steel
Production: 376 cases