2004 Variation One
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Tasting notes
Arietta's 2004 Red Wine Variation One is deep, powerful, dense and ripe, all qualities that make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next few years. The 2004 has aged very nicely, with all the elements in the right place. It is without question one of the better wines in this flight of early vintages.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(a 60/40 blend of merlot and syrah) Good deep medium ruby. Expressive aromas of black raspberry, licorice and dark chocolate, plus a medicinal menthol element. Juicy, tight and backward; this boasts excellent ripeness but is dominated by its acid structure and big tannins today. Like the 2004 cabernet, it comes across as a bit spiky on the back and in need of patience. The tannins of the 2005 seem much finer.
The 2004 Variation One is the most disappointing of the group, if only in comparison to what has been produced before and after. A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Merlot, the wine is elegant, medium-bodied, shows some hints of coffee bean and blue and black fruits, but then shortens out in mid-palate, and there is somewhat of an abrupt finish. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. Fax (707) 963-4512
(60% merlot and 40% syrah, co-fermented; the fruit is destemmed but not crushed) Deep, bright ruby-red. Slightly reduced nose blossomed quickly to show black raspberry, dark cherry, mocha and chocolate. Lush and superripe on the palate, but saline and mineral elements as well as the wine's strong acid/tannin spine give it great definition and grip. Firm tannins are buffered by the wine's strong material.