Arietta On The White Keys White Blend 2016
-
Wilfred
Wong -
Jeb
Dunnuck
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
A recent vertical tasting of On the White Keys showed the great promise of these wines for bottle aging, back to the first vintages made more than a decade ago. The 2016 vintage will be no exception. Years in the bottle will add depth and interest to the wine, but right now the fresh, pure fruit character is seductive. Our longtime sources of fruit for the White Keys are hillside Sauvignon Blanc from the Farina Vineyard on Sonoma Mountain, and Sauvignon Musque and Semillon from the Hyde Vineyard on the Napa side of Carneros.
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMPOSITION: One of the most fascinating and delicious wines I have tasted this year. The 2016 Arietta On the White Keys White Blend zinged brightly on my palate. This was my first introduction to the Arietta wines, but it will not be the last. This winery is now on my list of wineries to follow. TASTING NOTES: This wine is fresh, bright, and lasting. Its aromas and flavors of dried citrus peel and ripe melon make it a perfect pairing choice with lightly smoked oysters. (Tasted: September 17, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 On The White Keys is rocking stuff. Loaded with notions of lemon curd, honeyed citrus, brioche, and a kiss of sappy flowers, it’s deep, medium-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, with terrific purity. It should keep for 3-5 years, although there’s no need to delay gratification.
Other Vintages
2022-
James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck
-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker
-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Jeb
Dunnuck
-
James
Suckling
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Jeb
Dunnuck
Fritz Hatton is the nation's foremost wine auctioneer. He worked for Christie's for most of the last two decades and was in charge of Christie's U.S. wine auctions from 1995 to 1998. In the spring of 2002, Hatton joined the prominent retailer, Zachy's, as auctioneer and consultant to Zachy's Auctions, Inc. He serves as principal auctioneer for the Napa Valley Wine Auction and conducts numerous other charity wine auctions across the U.S. Hatton is responsible for the sales and distribution of the Arietta and Kongsgaard wines and shares the marketing duties with Kongsgaard.
The partners came together through their love of music. Fritz is a serious amateur pianist and singer, and the Kongsgaards present a ten concert classical music series in Napa. Their friendship in music is reflected in the Arietta wine label: Beethoven's manuscript of the sublime Arietta movement of his last piano sonata, Opus 111.
Sometimes light and crisp, other times rich and creamy, Bordeaux White Blends typically consist of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Often, a small amount of Muscadelle or Sauvignon Gris is included for added intrigue. Popularized in Bordeaux, the blend is often mimicked throughout the New World. Somm Secret—Sauternes and Barsac are usually reserved for dessert, but they can be served before, during or after a meal. Try these sweet wines as an aperitif with jamón ibérico, oysters with a spicy mignonette or during dinner alongside hearty Alsatian sausage.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.