Review by Robert M. Parker Jr.
Rating: (90)
The second wine, the 2013 Prince of Hearts (80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) shows slightly more density than its 2012 counterpart. It has good fruit as well as some baking spices mixed with cedar wood, underbrush, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit and some new oak. Drink it over the next decade. It is hard to believe that Claude Blankiet’s first vintage was 1999. Of course, this is a fabulous vineyard that also looks marvelous from the famous Route 29. This is pure Yountville AVA on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, just above the valley floor vineyard of Christian Moueix’s Dominus. Blankiet’s blends are made by Denis Malbec, who also works not too far away as the consultant for Kapcsandy. These wines often need time in bottle to show their character, and I thought the 2012s performed even better than they did from barrel. The 2013s look incredible as well. These may be Blankiet’s two greatest vintages to date, even eclipsing the 2001s and 2002s.
Drink 2016 – 2026
