Our Bordeaux Medoc blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This wine is sheer power in a silk glove.
Review
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Vinous (May 2024)
Review by Antonio Galloni
Rating: (98)
VIEWThe 2013 Proprietary Red, Paradise Hills Vineyard is just beginning to enter its first plateau of maturity. Tobacco, cedar, dried herbs, mocha and hints of French oak all grace this super-expressive offering. Savory and dark, with tons of nuance, the 2013 is exquisitely beautiful. It shows the finessed style that is such a signature here today, but with just a bit more concentration the warm, drought year provided.
Drinking Window: 2023 – 2038
— Antonio Galloni, Vinous / May 2024
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eRobertParker.com # 222 (Dec 2015)
Review by Robert M. Parker Jr.
Rating: (98)
VIEWThe 2013 Proprietary Red, which is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, is another prodigious effort from Blankiet. Inky purple, with notes of lead pencil shavings, white chocolate, espresso bean, blackberry and cassis, the wine hits the palate with a crescendo of blue and black fruits, a touch of toast, licorice and foresty notes. Stunningly rich, full-bodied and impressive, this wine will age for at least 30 more years. 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 – 2046
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Vinous (Oct. 2015)
Review by Antonio Galloni
Rating: (98)
VIEWA brooding, dense red, the 2013 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard captures all of the mineral and savory intensity of the year. Today, the 2013 is incredibly tight and shut down, with massive tannins and structure backing up the fruit. It will be quite a few years before the 2013 is ready to deliver the full breadth of its potential. Even today, though, it is magnificent. Next to the Mythicus, the Proprietary Red is a bit more aromatic, with less overt oak influence in its flavor profile and contours. In 2013, the Cabernet Franc is higher than in either 2012 or 2014. The blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 1% 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.
