Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Blackbird Vineyards was acquired by John and Julia Henshaw in 2018, with Aaron Pott at the helm of winemaking since 2006. This blend includes a splash of 2% Petit Verdot. Arise, considered the “second wine” of Blackbird, leaps out of the glass with vibrant red cherry and mulberry fruit, accented by brown spices, loamy earth, and notes of a deep redwood forest grove and bay laurel. The wine is sourced from excellent sites that offer high-altitude or cool-climate influences, adding freshness and complexity. Notably, the name "Merlot" stems from the Occitan word for Blackbird, referencing the grape's origins south of the Loire River. Fermented in stainless steel with native yeast and frequent early pumpovers, the wine is then aged for 20 months in approximately 30% new French oak. This beautifully expressive wine delivers elegance, structure, and layered depth.
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James Suckling
Aromas of blood plums, graphite, dried herbs and bitter chocolate. The palate is full-bodied with softly integrated tannins and balanced acidity, giving flavors of blackberries, cedar, potpourri and dried herbs. Made from 47% cabernet sauvignon, 40% cabernet franc, 11% merlot and 2% petit verdot. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2022 Arise Proprietary Red reveals blackberry, cassis, graphite, and leather nuances, with a kiss of chocolate adding complexity. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has ripe tannins and a juicy, lively style that will drink nicely over the coming 10-15 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Arise Proprietary Red boasts attractive violet and herbal notes that add hints of berry tea and ripe cherries. It's medium to full-bodied, supple, ripe and fleshy in the mouth, with understated tannins on the mouthwatering finish. It's a super value to drink over the next decade.
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Vinous
The 2022 Arise is a soft, plummy red to drink now and over the next few years. The blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot works quite well. Pretty floral top notes add brightness on the finish.
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.