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Blackbird Vineyards Arise Proprietary Napa Valley Merlot Blend 2012
Blackbird Vineyards is one of Napa's hottest boutique producers. The "Arise" Proprietary Red is a blend of 42% Merlot 38% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Cabernet Franc, fashioned after the famous Pomerol wines of Bordeaux. Get it while its still available! 94 Points "Editors' Choice" Wine Enthusiast: "A glorious wine. Based on Merlot, with nearly equal parts of the two Cabernets, it's softly smooth and delicious right now. Totally bone dry, yet rich and sweet in cherries, berries, chocolate and cedar, it satisfies on every level..." - Best of Year Buying Guide, 2011 The 2012 Blackbird Arise welcomes you with complex aromatics of cherry, plum, bacon, tobacco, and subtle mint. Aged in French Oak barrels for 19 months, the well-integrated palate presents enticing flavors of cedar, earth, and toffee within multiple layers of rich, black fruits. Elegantly balanced with supple tannins, the mouthfeel is velvety and leads to a fine cocoa finish. Drinking well upon release, Arise will age beautifully with time in the cellar. Winemaker Sarah Gott fashions this delicious red from Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District. Dark ruby red in color, this blend of predominately Merlot offers aromas of ripe plum, mocha, and violets that carry over beautifully onto the palate. Concentrated black fruit flavors give way to dense, yet integrated tannins. The wine's finish reveals a noticeable acidity and depth to allow for longevity.
Ratings on Delectable
Valerio Dogliotti
Impressive blend( 58%Merlot, 32%Cab Franc, 10%Cab Sauvignon) from Black Bird Vineyard in Napa Valley. Black berry jam, vanilla and liquorice. Velvety tannins in the mouth, with a lingering finish.
Impressive blend( 58%Merlot, 32%Cab Franc, 10%Cab Sauvignon) from Black Bird Vineyard in Napa Valley. Black berry jam, vanilla and liquorice. Velvety tannins in the mouth, with a lingering finish.
9.0
Michael Adelman
Still uptight and young... dominant Merlot Blend with a third Cab Franc and the rest Cab Sav... fruit forward but patience is key for their entry level offering...
Still uptight and young... dominant Merlot Blend with a third Cab Franc and the rest Cab Sav... fruit forward but patience is key for their entry level offering...
8.8
Ryan Carey 
Founder Wine Confidential
The '12 Blackbird Arise is the best Arise I've had to date. While the nose is candied apple and cranberry, the taste is dark fruit, cafe latte and espresso. Quite the contrast, and quite the surprise. We offer this wine at $50, which is very reasonable for this wine
The '12 Blackbird Arise is the best Arise I've had to date. While the nose is candied apple and cranberry, the taste is dark fruit, cafe latte and espresso. Quite the contrast, and quite the surprise. We offer this wine at $50, which is very reasonable for this wine
9.2Brian Kelly
To my delight, I found this hiding in plain sight, albeit covered in dust. Brushing away the dust, I expected to see 2014 or even 2015 on the label, and found myself surprised to see 2012 staring back at me. I thought I drank the last bottle if this years ago. Popped and poured. At 7 1/2 years old, this is showing some nice bottle age in the garnet color and bricking at the rim. Graphite with a hint of leather and crushed berries in the nose. In the mouth the fruit is present, but not overpowering. Blueberries and blackberries for days. I don't know whether today is a Monday or a Thursday (my calendar says it is Monday?), but I do know this wine is drinking great right now. Drink it if you've got it!
To my delight, I found this hiding in plain sight, albeit covered in dust. Brushing away the dust, I expected to see 2014 or even 2015 on the label, and found myself surprised to see 2012 staring back at me. I thought I drank the last bottle if this years ago. Popped and poured. At 7 1/2 years old, this is showing some nice bottle age in the garnet color and bricking at the rim. Graphite with a hint of leather and crushed berries in the nose. In the mouth the fruit is present, but not overpowering. Blueberries and blackberries for days. I don't know whether today is a Monday or a Thursday (my calendar says it is Monday?), but I do know this wine is drinking great right now. Drink it if you've got it!
9.2
Ray Vanderhoff
Bordeaux Style Blend. (Merlot, Cab Franc and Cab Sauv). Lots of dark berry aromas and flavors. Hints of cassis, mint, tar and smoke. A touch of vanilla on the very Long finish. Nice smooth tannin structure. Needed some time to open up. Better the second day.
Bordeaux Style Blend. (Merlot, Cab Franc and Cab Sauv). Lots of dark berry aromas and flavors. Hints of cassis, mint, tar and smoke. A touch of vanilla on the very Long finish. Nice smooth tannin structure. Needed some time to open up. Better the second day.
9.0
Jake Hall
Cherry and tobacco. Nicely balanced, not too over powering with a nice smooth finish. Had with steak at Ruth's Chris.
Cherry and tobacco. Nicely balanced, not too over powering with a nice smooth finish. Had with steak at Ruth's Chris.
9.2
Julia Indik
Peppery on the nose and carrying straight into the flavor with big lush fruit, and chocolate. Smooth tannins and a moderate complex finish. Easy to love.
Peppery on the nose and carrying straight into the flavor with big lush fruit, and chocolate. Smooth tannins and a moderate complex finish. Easy to love.
9.2
Andrew Steffensmeier
Much better than I was expecting tonight! Blackberry, plum, graphite, cedar, light vanilla and sage/green pepper.
Much better than I was expecting tonight! Blackberry, plum, graphite, cedar, light vanilla and sage/green pepper.
9.2Sean Cathcart
Delicious wine, it finally has shed it's baby fat is and showing very nicely
Delicious wine, it finally has shed it's baby fat is and showing very nicely
9.4
JJ Lumia
A nice blend of 58% merlot, 32% cab franc and 10% cab sauvignon. The aroma is full of clove. Generous amounts of clove on the palate are accompanied by blackberry, chocolate and coffee notes. Silky, well-integrated tannins and a soft, but generous, finish. It all comes together well.
A nice blend of 58% merlot, 32% cab franc and 10% cab sauvignon. The aroma is full of clove. Generous amounts of clove on the palate are accompanied by blackberry, chocolate and coffee notes. Silky, well-integrated tannins and a soft, but generous, finish. It all comes together well.
9.0
See all reviews and ratings on Delectable WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.