Review by Antonio Galloni
Rating: (95)
The 2013 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is the most expressive and open-knit of Blankiet’s flagship 2013s, and it is the only one of those wines I would even think about opening young. Dark, sensual and totally inviting, the Rive Droite benefits from the Merlot base to give the wine its soft contours and resonant, inviting personality.
Grapes Variety: 92% Merlot/8% Cabernet Franc
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.
