Winemaker Notes
The 2015 Arise’s aromas of ripe blackberries, black currant, iris, forest floor, and clove are nothing short of charming, and just as every artist needs a muse, Arise is - without a doubt - the muse for Blackbird’s current collection. With flavors of licorice, black cherry, nutty fig, cocoa powder, and tobacco this wine has a richly layered mid-palate that is complimented by smooth tannins, good density, and a long, lingering finish..
Blend: 37% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Petit Verdot.
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Blackbird Vineyards produces classic wines that are at the top of its class. The 2015 Arise—a beautiful and style representation of the Right Bank of Bordeaux—shows excellent elegance. TASTING NOTES: This wine is firm, well-built, and poised. Its aromas and flavors of black fruits, violets, and wood should pair it perfectly with a perfectly grilled ribeye. (Tasted: October 4, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 37% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Arise Proprietary Red is a deep garnet-purple color with a nose of freshly crushed blackberries and blueberries with hints of cigar box, spice box, wild thyme and menthol. The full-bodied, generous mouth is nice and spicy, with fine-grained tannins and nice harmony and freshness.
Rating: 91+
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.