2007 Blackbird Arise
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Tasting notes
(75% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon) Bright, deep red. Aromas of redcurrant, cherry, cured tobacco and chocolatey oak, with a distinct impression of soil. Sweet and creamy but with a firm spine of acidity framing the redcurrant flavor and giving the middle palate a juicy character. Finishes with attractive building sweetness. The supplest of this set of 2007 releases, but still possesses a solid acid/tannin backbone that calls for two or three years of cellaring.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Arise (75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a mossy, forest floor, Burgundian-like component, medium to full body, outstanding balance, purity, and texture, and some tannin that needs to be resolved. Again, 2-3 years of cellaring is recommended, but this beauty should age for two decades. This impressive portfolio was assembled by winemaker Aaron Pott and consulting winemaker Sarah Gott (her husband owns the incredibly successful fast-food chain of Taylor’s Refresher in San Francisco, Napa, and St. Helena – which makes the best cheeseburger and Ahi burger in the land). All of these offerings reveal beautiful balance, suppleness, and intensity. Production runs between 200-300 cases for most of the cuvees, with the Illustration maxing out at 1,200 cases. Blackbird’s mission statement is to make artisanal, Pomerol-inspired wines from Napa Valley, and they appear to be succeeding. The estate vineyard is in the Oak Knoll district, which is well-known for deep, loamy, gravelly soils. Tel. (707) 252-4444; Fax (707) 252-9999