Review by Antonio Galloni
Rating: (93)
A real overachiever, the 2013 Prince of Hearts Paradise Hills Vineyard is deep and wonderfully expressive. Black cherry, plum, violets, cloves, leather and licorice meld together in a sumptuous, intense wine that over delivers on so many levels, one of them being price. The Prince of Hearts is a model of finesse and understatement. Readers who can find it should not hesitate. There are only a handful of wines that can match Prince of Hearts for value and pure pleasure. The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
Blankiet fans will find much to admire in these current and upcoming releases. The 2012s continue to develop positively in bottle, while the 2013s capture the utter profoundness of this great Napa Valley vintage. But it is the 2014s that could turn out to be the most surprising wines in the three vintages spanning 2012-2014, as they exude brisk energy, striking aromatics and fabulous overall energy. Comparing the 2013s and 2014s here will be a fascinating exercise for many years to come. Proprietors Claude and Katherine Blankiet spare no expense to put only the very best in the bottle, while winemakers Denis and May-Britt Malbec continue to refine their approach to getting the most out of these pristine hillside vineyards. The flagship Proprietary Red and new 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Mythicus will get most of the attention, but readers should also take a look at the Prince of Hearts, which is one of Napa Valley’s very finest values in artisan, world-class wine.
