Winemaker Aaron Pott is a true believer when it comes to Merlot and Cabernet Franc planted in the right terroirs of the Napa Valley. Pott spent a slice of his early career as a winemaker at two different chateau in the Right Bank of Bordeaux, where the grapes of choice and necessity (for Cabernet Sauvignon will not ripen consistently) are Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Arise is a Right Bank blend, being Merlot and Can Franc dominant, and it’s a fitting tribute to the potential of this type of blend in Napa. The beautifully structured 2009 shows excellent concentration and density, with layers of red and black fruits, fine tannins and a long, spicy finish.
Blackbird Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) 2009
By Robert Whitley