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 2013 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.
Robert McCall
Shoulda let this breathe for a few hours but wasn't in the cards. Muted nose of blackberry and spice. Medium+ tannins circle around emerging dark red and blackberry fruit. Not much complexity but not one dimensional either. I think I kick the points up a level or two with 3 hours + in a decanter. But who's complaining!? Good stuff.
Shoulda let this breathe for a few hours but wasn't in the cards. Muted nose of blackberry and spice. Medium+ tannins circle around emerging dark red and blackberry fruit. Not much complexity but not one dimensional either. I think I kick the points up a level or two with 3 hours + in a decanter. But who's complaining!? Good stuff.
8.9Stephen Dodson
Spaghetti bolognaise summer holiday treat. Rich and deep
Spaghetti bolognaise summer holiday treat. Rich and deep
9.1James Kane
Easy drinking wine. Smooth from start to finish.
Easy drinking wine. Smooth from start to finish.
9.1Tony Johnson
Great taste. Initial taste of currants, Black berry and spice , but not jammy. Light finish
Great taste. Initial taste of currants, Black berry and spice , but not jammy. Light finish
9.1Sharyn Grant
Delicious dark fruits, easy tannins. Drink now or hold.
Delicious dark fruits, easy tannins. Drink now or hold.
9.0Joe DAscoli
Chewy dense and a little too much leather to me but not a bad wine from the valley.
Chewy dense and a little too much leather to me but not a bad wine from the valley.
9.1Carla Martens
Deep and complex and delish.
Deep and complex and delish.
9.0Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)
55% Merlot/30% Cab Sav/15% Cab Franc. Vanilla. Licorice. Dark fruits. A smooth, long lingering finish. Great stuff!
55% Merlot/30% Cab Sav/15% Cab Franc. Vanilla. Licorice. Dark fruits. A smooth, long lingering finish. Great stuff!
9.0Grant Everett
Wish I had the patience to see what this will be in 10 years. Very tight and tannic now
Wish I had the patience to see what this will be in 10 years. Very tight and tannic now
9.0Justin Brilman
QPR is phenomenal
QPR is phenomenal
9.0WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.