Arietta "Quartet" Red Wine 2022
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 93] [WA 92] [JD 92] [VM 91]

The label features a drawing of the string quartet's instruments by an eight-year-old Libby Hatton, a future proprietor of Arietta, over a manuscript of the famous Cavatina movement from Beethoven’s String Quartet Opus 130.

Winemaker Notes:
The Arietta Quartet is the perennial blend of four varieties that quintessentially captures the spirit of the vintage.  The 2022 vintage Quartet is dominated by the richness of Cabernet Sauvignon (71%), which in this season provided a dark, silky, textured base on which to build.  The growing season was the last in a string of drought vintages, which always make for low-yielding, concentrated fruit.  With all our fruit coming from the southern, cooler end of the Napa Valley (Coombsville and Carneros, to be specific), the fruit and resulting wines are also replete with natural acidity and a sense of balance.  16% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc add a juiciness and a floral and savory aroma profile, with a touch of Syrah to give a hint of chocolate and coffee.

Overall, the aromatic impression is one of ripe fruits, orange blossom, nutmeg, pan grille, and mocha.  Aging for 20 months in French oak barrels, 21% of which were new, rounded the tannins and added to the depth and charm of the wine.  Crafted to be enjoyed in its youth, this wine will still age for many years, gaining layers and softening in texture along the way.