2011 Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyard

One of the many surprises in this tasting, the 2011 Merlot Hudson Vineyards is fabulous. The Merlot is bold, deep and punchy, as all the 2011s are in this tasting. Savory herbs, tobacco, menthol, wild cherry and incense notes give the 2011 much of its vibrant, energetic personality. Beautifully delineated and sculpted, the 2011 has enough complexity to drink well for at least another handful of years. What a pleasure it is to taste the 2011 in such great shape.

(from the oldest vines on Hudson ranch, dating back to the early '80s, according to winemaker Andy Erickson): Medium red-ruby. Captivating floral perfume lifts black raspberry, wild herbs and spices on the nose. Equally aromatic in the mouth, displaying juicy, intense, low-fat flavors of dark berries, wild herbs and crushed rock. By most accounts, the earlier-ripening merlot performed well in the Carneros area in 2011 and this example is a standout. The long, slowly mounting finish saturates the mouth with perfume. I'd give this very youthful wine at least a couple years in the cellar for its palate to catch up with its nose.

The 2011 Merlot Hudson Vineyards is laced with dark red berries, sweet tobacco, mint and licorice, all in a wonderfully juicy, expressive style for the year. I expect the 2011 will offer its greatest pleasure sooner rather than later. All the elements fall into balance nicely in this medium-bodied, pliant Merlot from Arietta.