Arietta, Merlot, Napa Valley

Drinking nicely right on the PNP. Lovely fruit with some secondary characteristics. To me, this in not on the level of the 1999 but still excellent. I'd say ~92. Still ok after 24 hours on counter with just cork in it, but definitely fading. Drink now - I wouldn't hold much longer, and this is likely on the downslope. (purchased at auction 12 years ago and in professional storage since).

2002 vintage

My contribution to the CDV713 MacDonald tasting. For my palate this was firing. I loved sharing this magnum and got some great feedback. My biggest regret is not being able to focus on this wine but that is just how it goes. Just enough fruit to carry secondary and tertiary flavors. I picked this up for a very fair price at BWG. A flyer that paid off. Happy to share but left wanting more. That’s the sign of a great …

2002 vintage

Tannins are still present but extremely fine with remarkable fruit for a 2002. A bit less power and a bit more elegance than my bottles in 2017 and 2018. I would drink within the next couple of years.

2002 vintage

Much more open compared to the last bottle in 2010. Rich, ripe black fruit, licorice, leather, and cedar. Quite full on the palate but with balance. Warm, slightly grippy finish suggests a gentle slope downward. I like the fruit where it is right now. Waiting to see if some of the tannin melts wouldn't be a bad gamble, but for me, it's at peak. Drink now and over the next several years.

2002 vintage

Another expensive, ridiculous wine from California. I suppose that one's tolerance for oak is the primary determinant for enjoying this wine (mine is low). This bottle was dumb, syrupy and banal. Very little happens over several hours. I contrast this wine with the inexpensive Jonc Blanc "Pure T" merlot, a real wine of terroir that actually tastes like merlot revealing place and nuance. I am skeptical that a good wine will emerge from this manipulated mess.

2002 vintage

Consistent with prior notes. Day 2 adds menthol to the fascinating range of aromas, and the fine tannins retain their grip.

2002 vintage

A wonderful example of why Sideways was such a misleading movie. This wine is still going strong, although this bottle was likely in its last year or two of peak performance. Overripe black and blue fruits in waves. Sweet Oak and touches of dried herbs and mocha.

2002 vintage

A huge wine still. Needed an hour of air. Blue and black fruits with some approachable tannins that have a stiff backbone still. Maybe a few more years before it gets to its best?

2002 vintage

Ruby-garnet, very slight browning at the edges. Translucent. Quite viscous, slow "legs". Blackberry and dark cherry aromas with a touch of wood. Medium-full body, dark fruit style, still good fruit but tannin a bit too pronounced. It may be that it's starting to lose some fruit, or it may just be the style of the wine. Very nice, but I think as good as it will get. I prefer a merlot with rounder, smoother, sweeter fruit aromas and flavors. Ric

2002 vintage

Deep, rich and concentrated. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, cola and chocolate. Plenty of sweet tannins on the long finish. You would never guess this is a 15 year old American Merlot.

2002 vintage

This wine took over an hour to come around in a decanter. More black than blue fruit. Sweet Oak. Some hints of leather and a few green veggies in the background. Very smooth and with another 3 to 5 years to go.

2002 vintage

nice but not that special.

2002 vintage

This wine is still a beast. If I had read my note from a year ago I probably would have waited a few more years before drinking this and would have been better served. The wine is a rich dark garnet with absolutely no perceptible browning. The nose has floral and cedar notes, maybe some eucalyptus/mint. The flavor profile shows nice red fruits, spiciness and graphite but everything is overlain with a dusty tannin mantle. The complexity seems just beyond …

2002 vintage

Highly tannic for an 11 year old Merlot. Mouth filling, yet tasty. Bright red fruit flavors, tobacco, forest floor. Needs at least an hour decant. This is drinking very well right now. Best with food. (Doris did not like)

2002 vintage

Sadly this is my last bottle. After another year in the bottle fruit subsided, more tobacco, more earth. Overall less pleasant but I am sure there are plenty of people who like this kind of bottle aging.

2002 vintage

A bit on the tannic side for a wine of this age. Underlying complexity but do not know if integration of the tannins will happen before the fruit fades?? Maybe a bit of a decant would have helped??

2002 vintage

Strong core of black fruit/cassis like a solid cab from this great vintage. Tannins have siftened but still well structured and long. Graphite, and some mint on the finish.

2002 vintage

Drank at Dad's 76th birthday at Argentina with steaks and layered potatoes. First wine was a Hall Merlot 2006 which honestly stood up slightly better. Both wines decanted 3 hours before opening at home then rebottled and taken to restaurant. Did feel that the Arietta did improve as the evening progressed. Giving the Arietta a 92 and the Hall a 93. Both excellent bottles of wine.

2002 vintage

Smooth and viscous. Moderate texture and flavors. Nothing out of place.

2002 vintage

Another stellar wine from Arietta though this does not fit the profile of a CA Merlot. It has a rich concentrated fruit but not gooby. Also loads of chocolate and minerals with plenty of cedar and tobacco to follow. In some ways it's a lot bigger than some cab sau but unmistakably merlot. Remember you don't drink the label.

2002 vintage

I was a little disappointed with this bottle.. Had high expectations! The flavor was lacking in fruit and the merlot varietal character. Was heavily oaked and tannic which gave pleasant smokiness and acidity.

2002 vintage

This must be one of the best California Merlots I've ever had. Maybe that is because it behaves just like a great Cab. Love it.

2002 vintage

91;70. Dense but not at all black looking, brownish, muddy. Very big wine. Big structure, quite tannic. Bigger than the H-block and Variation 1. Better second day and with food.

2002 vintage

This wine was beginning to close in late 2007. I was hoping a few years of cellaring would do it good, but now it is now nailed tight. In the glass, it has a deep blood-red rim and black core. On tasting, nice black cherry, coffee, and dark chocolate flavors are quickly clamped down by big clunky tannins that reach the tip of the tongue. Day 2 exhibits little/no change. HOLD.

2002 vintage

I was diasppointed in this bottle. Lost its fruit and structure. Lean, tart and acidic.

2002 vintage

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Arietta, Merlot, Napa Valley

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