Blackbird Vineyards Arise Proprietary Red 2016

Blackbird Vineyards Arise Proprietary Red 2016 is a Pomerol-inspired Napa Valley red blend in a 750ml bottle at approximately 14.1–14.4% ABV. Awarded 92 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and a Gold Medal at the 2021 London Wine Competition, this Merlot-dominant cuvée channels the elegance of Right Bank Bordeaux through distinctly Californian fruit intensity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.1–14.4%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Winery: Blackbird Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Blackbird Vineyards was founded with a singular vision: to produce Merlot- and Cabernet Franc-driven blends modeled after the great wines of Pomerol, specifically leveraging the climatic and soil similarities between Bordeaux's Right Bank and Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District. The Arise 2016 is blended from 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot — a classically structured proprietary red. The wine was aged in premium French oak barrels sourced from top-tier cooperages including Seguin-Moreau, Sylvain, and Taransaud, contributing refined tannin structure and layered complexity without overpowering the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with fragrant black cherry, black raspberry, and warm plum, then unfolds into more nuanced layers of underbrush, dried herbs, raspberry leaf, and spice box. A quiet floral quality — rose petal and a thread of mint — emerges with time in the glass.

Taste: The palate entry is rich and immediate, offering sweet, plush tannins wrapped around ripe cherry and plum fruit. Mid-palate, the wine builds with notes of smoked duck, dried herb, and clove, while a grainy tannin texture adds grip and definition. A pencil-shaving quality from the French oak laces through the fruit without dominating it.

Finish: Medium to long, with lingering coffee, blueberry, and plum that slowly fade into toasted oak and spice. The tannins remain present but refined, leaving a juicy, lifted impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink Arise 2016

Serve at 60–65°F after decanting for 30 to 45 minutes to allow the aromatics to fully open. The wine drinks beautifully on its own as a contemplative pour, though a slight chill on warmer evenings keeps the fruit vibrant without muting the spice. Given its Merlot-forward profile and polished tannins, Arise 2016 is most rewarding neat — no need for ice or additional intervention. It also pairs exceptionally at the dinner table, where its medium-bodied structure and savory undertones complement a wide range of dishes.

Best For

• Gifting a Bordeaux lover who appreciates Napa Valley interpretations of Right Bank blends
• Anchoring a multi-course dinner party alongside roasted meats and charcuterie
• Adding a critically acclaimed 2016 Napa vintage to a cellar collection
• Sharing with fellow wine enthusiasts during a comparative Merlot-based tasting

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Arise 2016 taste like? Arise 2016 leads with ripe black cherry and plum fruit, followed by savory layers of dried herb, smoked meat, and clove, all framed by refined French oak tannins. The finish is medium to long, carrying coffee and blueberry notes.

How does Arise 2016 compare to Dalla Valle Selene Merlot? The two wines share a historical connection — winemaker Mia Klein of Dalla Valle fame produced a vineyard-designate bottling for her Selene label using Blackbird Vineyards fruit in 1999. While Selene Merlot is a single-varietal wine, Arise is a proprietary blend that adds Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot for broader structural complexity and aromatic range.

Is Arise 2016 good for drinking now or cellaring? The 2016 vintage is drinking well now after nearly a decade of bottle age, with resolved tannins and integrated oak, though its structure and acidity suggest it can hold comfortably for several more years in proper storage conditions.

Where is Arise 2016 made? Arise 2016 is produced by Blackbird Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, drawing from vineyards in the Oak Knoll District — a sub-region whose soils and climate have drawn comparisons to Bordeaux's Pomerol appellation.

What foods pair well with Arise 2016? Braised short ribs complement the wine's plush tannins and savory depth. Duck confit echoes the smoked-meat character found on the palate. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheeses mirror its nutty oak notes. Herb-crusted lamb loin bridges the wine's dried-herb and spice-box aromatics. Mushroom risotto highlights the earthy, underbrush quality in the nose.

What sizes does Arise 2016 come in? Blackbird Vineyards Arise Proprietary Red 2016 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Arise 2016 worth the price? Arise positions as a premium Napa Valley proprietary red, and its 92-point score from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Gold Medal from the London Wine Competition, and top-tier French cooperage aging place it firmly among serious Merlot-based blends in the region — strong value for collectors and enthusiasts seeking Pomerol-style complexity from California.

Why Arise 2016?

What separates Arise from the broader landscape of Napa reds is its unwavering commitment to a Pomerol blueprint — Merlot and Cabernet Franc at the core, aged in barrels from France's most respected cooperages. The 2016 vintage delivered one of Napa Valley's strongest growing seasons in recent memory, and this wine captures that quality with a 92-point rating from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and a Gold Medal at the 2021 London Wine Competition. Its blend of 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot produces a wine that is neither purely Californian nor purely Bordelaise, but something distinctly its own. For drinkers drawn to the silky, structured elegance of Right Bank Bordeaux but who want the ripe generosity that only Napa Valley delivers, Arise 2016 occupies a rare and rewarding middle ground.