Review by Antonio Galloni
Rating: (97)
Blankiet Estate 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Mythicus
Paradise Hills Vineyard
Yountville, Napa Valley, United States
Drinking window: 2018 – 2032
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Mythicus is the darkest, richest and most powerful of these four wines. Smoke, plum, spice, violets, new leather and a host of mineral-inflected notes grace the palate in a beautifully textured, vibrant Cabernet Sauvignon endowed with magnificent palate presence and depth. Striking and delineated throughout, the 2012 will drink well for another 20 years or so. The exotic, soaring finish is utterly irresistible.
Antonio Galloni. Tasting date October 2014
Grapes Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Blankiet has come a long way over the last few years. Increased focus on the dual flagships Rive Droite and Proprietary Red fueled by Claude and Katherine Blankiet’s relentless pursuit of excellence has resulted in more severe selection, lower production and higher overall quality.
One of the secondary results of that is a marked increase in quality of Blankiet’s second wine, Prince of Hearts, which is now one of the very best values in Napa Valley. More recently, the Blankiets have introduced a pure Cabernet Sauvignon, Mythicus. Every visit to Blankiet Estate is proof of the total obsession to detail that is the rule here. The 2012s are radiant and expressive, which is the style of the year, but I was also quite surprised by just how finessed the 2013s are now given that so many wines in this vintage are so structured and tannic. These are magnificent wines from the Blankiets and the husband and wife winemaking team of Denis and May-Britt Malbec.
From New Releases from Napa Valley: 2012 and 2013, Part I (Dec 2014) by Antonio Galloni
