Reviews & Ratings

2012 Blackbird Vineyards Red Blends or Varietals "Arise"

Winery: Blackbird Vineyards

Vintage: 2012

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Arise"

Wine Category: Red Blends or Varietals

Grape blend: 58% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $50

Cases produced: 5,375

KWG Score: 91.6 (based on 6 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: July 8, 2015

Wine Review: This very dark ruby colored red blend from Blackbird is a fruit bomb. It opens with a fragrant black raspberry and black currant bouquet with a hint of faint oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, fruit forward and juicy. The flavor profile is black currant with notes of minerality and espresso. I also detected hints of blackberry and old oak. The finish is dry and its flavors linger and last for a little while. This Merlot based blend is initially pretty bold and ripe for a mostly Merlot based wine. A bit of aeration allows this wine to open and smooth out. I would pair it with a New York strip steak. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: The 2012 Arise exudes aromas of blackberry, black currant, clove, forest floor and cedar. With a robust approach, flavors of strawberry, cherry, cocoa powder and tobacco linger on the palate while smooth persistent tannins provide a lengthy and complex finish. The 2012 vintage was blessed with no frost, a mild spring and summer and a peaceful fall. This ideal growing season assures that Arise will drink well now and continue to develop over the next decade.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Blackbird 2012 Arise.