For wine lovers, returning home and going back to work after the summer break triggers thoughts of restocking the cellar. Hence this timely offer of the Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 and the Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards 2011—the first Arietta Merlot produced since 2006. They are precociously delicious wines, and scarce. Production of the Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards was 250 cases, and the Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 204 cases—about half of last year’s release. To order, please
We are always keen to hear from you, and see you in person. When you plan your next visit to the Napa Valley, please contact Lizzie@ariettawine.com or Fritz@ariettawine.com to arrange an appointment to taste the Arietta wines.
Cheers, 
Fritz and Caren Hatton, Proprietors
Andy Erickson and Morgan Maureze, Winemakers
Lizzie Moore, Manager of Subscriber Sales
ABOUT THE WINES
The product of a long and cool growing season, the Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 offers glorious and ethereal aromas, a graceful palate impression, and a gently persistent finish. It shares the precociousness of the other Arietta red wines from the 2011 vintage, but has sufficient tannic backbone to carry if fifteen years or more. Lovers of the old world style will find the Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 particularly flattering. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, of which 90% comes from Coombsville and 10% from Calistoga, the Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 was aged for nineteen months in French oak barrels, 70% new. Wine critic Stephen Tanzer’s notes: Bright ruby-red. Varietally precise aromas of raspberry, currant, tobacco leaf, pepper and fresh herbs. Dense, sweet and very intense; not hugely thick but wonderfully refined and light on its feet. Not quite as complex today as the H Block blend but boasts superb dark berry intensity and has the serious tannic structure for a long and graceful evolution in bottle (5/13).
The 2011 vintage marks the first Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards produced since 2006. The source of the Merlot, also for the first time, is the I Block on the Hudson Ranch on the Napa side of Carneros. The I Block sits immediately below the H Block, which provides the Cabernet Franc for Arietta’s flagship wine, the H Block Hudson Vineyards. Single block, vineyard designated Merlot is a rarity in Napa, and allows lovers of the varietal to experience the Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards’ terroir, or particular sense of place. The Hudson Ranch has long been known for the complexity, depth, and ageworthiness of its Merlot–the Arietta Merlots from the 1998 and 1999 vintages are just now at their peak. The supple and sophisticated 2011 Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards, from a cool, late vintage, will reward the impatient, while improving in bottle for ten to fifteen years. Stephen Tanzer’s review: Bright red with ruby highlights. Idiosyncratic nose combines raspberry, game, sage, sandalwood and sassafras. Fine-grained, vibrant and juicy; plenty dense but bright acidity gives the wine a light touch. Conveys a low-pH feel for a red from this producer, and yet shows a lot of personality. Finishes with serious, dusty tannins and excellent length. Different and captivating. An outstanding California merlot in the making (5/13).
In the garden with the White Keys
Lizzie Moore, Fritz and Caren Hatton, and Mozey, Arietta’s top dog
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Arietta
P.O. Box 349
Oakville, CA 94562