Blackbird Vineyards Arise Napa Valley Proprietary Red (375ML half-bottle) 2018
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert - Decanter
-
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Dunnuck
Jeb
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The 2018 Arise is lively and fruity with aromas of plum, nutmeg, vanilla, blackberry and coffee. Juicy notes awaken the palate with flavors of cherry and cola on first sip. A beautiful, medium bodied wine with bright ripe cherry, plum and blackberries on the mid palate. Finishes with coffee and strawberry with nice length.
Blend: 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 6% Syrah
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Beautiful aromas of blackberry, chocolate and some earth. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a creamy-textured finish. Elegant and focused. A blend of 37% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 26% cabernet franc, 6% syrah and 4% petit verdot.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah and 4% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Arise Proprietary Red strides boldly out of the glass with notes of ripe blackberries, Morello cherries and redcurrant jelly with hints of pencil shavings and fragrant earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has lovely tension and lots of crunchy black and red berry layers, framed by grainy tannins, finishing with an invigorating lift.
-
Decanter
Dusty, herbal and black-fruited on the nose, with hints of graphite and pencil lead. The palate is silky, precise and doesn’t feel heavy-handed in the least. Despite the atypical cepage, a stellar value and an accurate representation of the 2018 vintage. Drinking Window 2022 - 2026
-
Connoisseurs' Guide
37% Cabernet Sauvignon; 27% Merlot; 26% Cabernet Franc; 6% Syrah; 4% Petit Verdot. There is a bit of implied plushness to this wine’s generously fruited, judiciously oaked, up-front aromas of ripe cherries and plums, and, while initially fairly open, slightly fleshy and tad juicy in taste, this one turns out to be a little more seriously built with good bones for age. Firming, slightly drying tannins do close in at the finish without obscuring its otherwise engaging fruit, and, what starts out as a wine that forecasts easy, early drinkability is, in fact, one well worth setting aside for a few years.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Arise Proprietary Red checks in as a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Syrah and Petit Verdot. Functioning as an entry level wine from this estate, it has impressive purity in its dark fruits, truffle, chocolate, and herbal aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, and undeniably satisfying, I'd be happy to drink a glass any time over the coming 8-10 years or so. Best After 2021
Other Vintages
2019-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
-
Wong
Wilfred -
Suckling
James
-
Parker
Robert -
Wong
Wilfred -
Spectator
Wine
-
Wong
Wilfred -
Parker
Robert
-
Wong
Wilfred -
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Suckling
James
-
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Guide
Connoisseurs'
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Panel
Tasting
-
Parker
Robert
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
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.