Winemaker Notes
Blend: 50% Merlot, 50% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Proprietary Red Variation One is an equal-part blend of Syrah and Merlot. Influence of the mystic and great winemaker/producer John Kongsgaard can be seen in this beauty, which has a dense purple color, a big blast of blue and black fruits, excellent acidity and freshness, with hints of meat, chocolate and spice. This full-bodied, youthful and unevolved, full-throttle red wine is individualistic, singular and should age well for 15 or more years. This is a winner and creative as well. Drink it over the next 20+ years.
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Vinous
The 2014 Red Blend Variation One is a powerful, resonant wine. All the savoriness and gaminess of Syrah is very much on display today. Iron, white pepper, mint, dried flowers, incense and tobacco soar from the glass. This opens beautifully with air. Arietta's Syrah/Merlot blend is another winner in this range.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.