2012 Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Merlot Hudson Vineyards is bright, aromatic and bold, with an extra degree of aromatic complexity that has developed with time in bottle. Scents of tobacco, leather, licorice, cedar and menthol add perfume and lift throughout. The interplay of the racy 2012 vintage fruit, savory aromatics and beams of supporting tannin make for a deeply intriguing wine.
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
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Arietta's 2012 Merlot emerges from the oldest vines on Lee Hudson's vineyard in Carneros. A dark, super-expressive wine, the Merlot is endowed with serious depth, power and structure. Brambly red fruit, smoke, tobacco and grilled herbs emerge from a surprisingly big, structured wine that should drink well for many, many years.
The 2012 Merlot Hudson Vineyards comes from two of the most renowned blocks of that hallowed site, the southwest-facing G and I blocks. Its color is nearly more opaque and denser than the Cabernet Sauvignon’s, and the aromas include mocha, plum and cassis. With good acidity and underlying earthiness, medium to full body, and attractive freshness, exuberance and vigor, this top-notch, serious Merlot is still young. While I am not opposed to infanticide on this one, it is capable of lasting (and may get even better) for another 10-15 years.
Bright medium red. Musky aromas of plum, chocolate, mocha and truffle. Sweet and dense on the palate, but without quite the perfume of the 2011 version. Attractive flavors of dark berries and exotic spices are complicated by a whiff of game. This very young wine finishes with a firm spine of ripe tannins.