2005 Arietta H Block Hudson Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Readers may want to look back at some past reviews of the 2005 Arietta Proprietary Red H Block Hudson Vineyard for context—there are several, from two different reviewers. To this taster, it just seems to be cruising along, although clearly mature. Some pleasant, gentle notes of decay are creeping in, but there are still ample reserves of mixed red and black cherries in this full-bodied effort. It's supple and creamy in texture, finishing long, plush and still vibrant, with no signs yet of drying out.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Like all of the wines at Arietta in this vintage, the 2005 Red Wine H Block boasts striking aromatics and tons of sheer allure. Rose petal, star anise, dried cherries, blood orange and spices give the 2005 its exotic personality and aromatic lift. This is another superb 2005 from Arietta.
(80% cabernet franc and 20% merlot): Bright medium ruby. Wonderfully minerally, complex aromas and flavors of black raspberry, violet, graphite, mocha and truffle. Then plush, dense and smooth but very young, even a bit ungiving, in the mouth, with terrific intensity and energy promising a very slow evolution in bottle. This has the firm tannin/acid spine of a great Brunello. Still a baby.
Good deep ruby-red. Captivating aromas of black raspberry, mocha, minerals, milk chocolate and nutty oak, lifted by sexy spices. Rich, luscious and creamy, with terrific weight in the mouth. Wonderfully supple and mouthcoating wine with smooth, sweet tannins and excellent persistence. This wine is based on 80% cabernet franc, the highest percentage since Arietta's outstanding 1997 red blend, which was indistinguishable from a topnotch St. Emilion when I last tasted it a year ago.