2011 Arietta Quartet Red
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Quartet is surprisingly intense and powerful for the year. Dark cherry, smoke, sage, menthol and scorched earth give the 2011 its distinctly savory, burly personality, and yet all the elements are in the right place. This is a terrific effort, especially for a second wine in a tough vintage. Quite simply, the 2011 punches above its weight. Bravo!
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(58% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot): Bright, dark red. Moderately ripe aromas of cassis, licorice, pepper and Asian spices. A juicy, spicy, distinctly cool midweight, with enticing floral lift to the perfumed dark berry fruit. Nicely tactile but could use a bit more density of material. I overrated this wine from barrel a year ago.
The 2011 Quartet is the most complete of Arietta's reds in this vintage. Dark red fruit, sweet tobacco, incense, licorice and spices meld together in a bright, mid-weight wine best enjoyed over the next handful of years. The blend is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
The 2011 Quartet (58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot) exhibits notes of cedar, black tea, tobacco leaf, spice box, plum and black currant.