Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Quartet is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Approximately one third new French oak is used, and the wine is aged 20 months (the standard barrel aging time seen not only in Napa, but also in Bordeaux and Tuscany – for Bordeaux varietal blends). Complex notes of graphite, plums, licorice, blackcurrants, mulberries and cherries emerge from this medium-bodied red along with sweet, integrated tannin, fresh acids and a long, heady, rich finish. This top notch 2012 is still youthful and should drink well for 1215 years. From well known auctioneer and musician, Fritz Hatton, and his wife, Caren, the Arietta offerings are always among the more interesting and singular from Napa Valley.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Reaching up California's coastline and into its valleys north of San Francisco, the North Coast AVA includes six counties: Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake. While Napa and Sonoma enjoy most of the glory, the rest produce no shortage of quality wines in an intriguing and diverse range of styles.
Climbing up the state's rugged coastline, the chilly Marin County, just above the City and most of Sonoma County, as well as Mendocino County on the far north end of the North Coast successfully grow cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and in some spots, Riesling. Inland Lake County, on the other hand, is considerably warmer, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc produce some impressive wines with affordable price tags.