By Blackbird Vineyards
2011 Arise Napa Valley Proprietary Red

Blackbird Wines
Each wine in the portfolio is a true example of Blackbird's ongoing commitment to quality by partnering with a selection of Napa Valley's most prestigious vineyards.

The Vintage
The 2011 Arise exudes perfumes of ripe cherry, cracked black pepper, and vanilla. Upon entry, the soft mouthfeel and rich texture reveal flavors of currant, blackberry, and subtle black olive, which unfold into a long and delectable finish. The cooler-than-normal 2011 Napa Valley grape-growing season concluded in an expedited harvest. The outcome was a vintage with flavors developed at lower Brix, resulting in truly elegant wines with European-style texture and great complexity.

Technical Details
Blend: 61% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
Harvest: Fall 2011
Release: Fall 2013
Barrel Regime: 21 months in French oak barrels - 50% new, 50% seasoned
pH: 3.80
Total Acidity: 0.58
Alcohol: 14.20%
Production: 158 barrels
Optimum Drinking: 2013-2023

Vineyards
Blackbird Vineyard: Located in the Oak Knoll District, Blackbird's estate vineyard with clay soils underlaid by gravel. It is an ideal site for Merlot. The region's cool nights preserve acidity in the fruit, providing natural balance.
Hudson Vineyard: Perched on a rolling hillside in the cool climate of Carneros, the Hudson Vineyard is a high-quality fruit source for Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Stagecoach Vineyard: Atop the Vaca Mountains south of Pritchard Hill, the rocky, volcanic terroir of the Stagecoach Vineyard produces intense Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Crocker and Starr Vineyard: The Crocker and Starr Vineyard's deep pocket of well-drained gravel create aromatic Cabernet Franc with impressive structure and finesse.

Arise
Arise is the most aspiring wine in the Blackbird Vineyards repertoire. Harvested, vinified, and barrel-aged with an identical commitment to quality and excellence as our principal wines, every vintage of this sister label Bordeaux-inspired blend is hand-tuned to express the luscious flavor profiles and lithe structure that only come from exceptional fruit. Arise captures the essence of Napa Valley.
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

Blackbird Vineyards 2011 Arise Red (Napa Valley)
Points: 91
Designation: Arise
Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Appellation: Napa Valley, Napa, California, US
Winery: Blackbird Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.20%
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Red
Date Published: 12/31/2013
This blend of Merlot and the two Cabernets is similar to Blackbird's far more expensive proprietary bottlings, but is nearly as good. It displays the house style of accessible fruit, in the way of blackberries, cherries, currants and cocoa, wrapped into refined but firm tannins. Drink it now with Cabernet-friendly food, especially a great char-broiled steak.

Blackbird Vineyards 2011 Arise Proprietary Red Wine Napa Valley
Points: 90
Napa Valley, Napa Valley
Red wine from United States
(61% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon): Bright medium red. Redcurrant, plum, licorice, milk chocolate and Christmas spices on the complex nose, lifted by a floral note. Rich, sweet, soft and easygoing, offering good density to its open-knit boysenberry, coffee and spice flavors. Juicy, aromatic blend with sweet tannins and no shortage of structure or grip.
Stephen Tanzer, May 2014

Blackbird Vineyards 2011 Napa Valley Arise
Rating: 88
Aaron Pott blends this wine from Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a small addition of Cabernet Sauvignon. It's all curves and chocolate fullness, soft and rich with a touch of pyrazines that hints at sun-dried tomato and pepper. Pour it with braised lamb.
(04/14)

2011 Blackbird Vineyards Arise
Blending From 61% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, this Right Bank Bordeaux blend is on the lighter side of the style range with a vanilla tinged black raspberry profile. Already open, drink this on the young side.
88 Points
Tasted Aug 25, 2013

2011 Blackbird Vineyards Arise Proprietary Red
USA, California, North Coast, Napa Valley
Rating: 86
Producer: Blackbird Vineyards
Color: Red
Type: Table
Sweetness: Dry
Variety: Proprietary Blend
Issue Date: 30th Oct 2013
Source: 209, The Wine Advocate
Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2011 Proprietary Red Arise, a blend of 61% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, exhibits a more herb, tobacco leaf and coffee bean-scented nose with less fruit. It is more narrowly constructed, medium-bodied and pleasant, but well below the quality of the 2010. 2011 was, of course, a much more challenging vintage, and these cuvees have slightly lower alcohols than in 2010.

BLACKBIRD Arise Napa Valley 2011
Score: 84
Country: United States
Region: California, Napa
Issue: Web Only - 2014
Aromas of herb and leathery cherry lead to lean and slightly earthy flavors, with notes of currant, mineral and cedar. The tannins have a gritty texture. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2018. -TF