2000 Arietta Red
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Tasting notes
The 2000 Proprietary Red is fashioned from equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It is extremely full-bodied (for this vintage), tight, and structured, displaying sweet, dense, chocolate/cherry fruit flavors intertwined with earth, mineral, and graphite characteristics. This chewy, thick, and unevolved offering only hints at its ultimate potential. When tasting anything produced by John Kongsgaard, I always get the impression that his approach to winemaking consistently results in some of California's most singular and distinctive wines. (Price not yet determined) Fax: (707) 963-4512
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot, with the two varieties blended in the fermenter) Good full medium ruby. Complex but reticent aromas of cassis, minerals, tobacco, black pepper, marzipan and brown sugar. Denser, sweeter and more complex than the 2000 merlot, with more stuffing for its tannins. Expressive, cabernet franc-dominated flavors of cassis, blueberry, minerals, bitter chocolate and licorice. Finishes with fine tannins and terrific persistence.