Our true Bordeaux Right Bank wine. Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc. This wine is gorgeously fruit forward with a core of minerality.
Review
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Vinous (Nov. 2025)
Review by Antonio Galloni
Rating: (98)
VIEW“The 2023 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is fabulous! Brisk and finely cut, the 2023 impresses with its energy and exceptional balance. Crushed flowers, cedar, pipe tobacco, menthol, and dried herbs all soar out of the glass. Beams of supporting tannin give this svelte, classy Merlot-based a vertical built. I especially admire the energy and tension here. This is an especially fine Rive Droite. Give it a few years to soften”.
Drinking window: 2028-2043
– Antonio Galloni / Vinous. November 2025
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Wine Advocate
Review by Joe Czerwinski
Rating: (98)
VIEW“Composed almost entirely of Merlot (96.9% plus 3.1% Cabernet Franc), Blankiet’s 2023 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is a stunning example of this finicky variety. Mixed red and black cherries join with dusty earth on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is round and plush, yet somehow also fresh and structured–the sort of oxymoronic juxtaposition that marks so many of the world’s best wines. Long and softly tannic, it finished with great suppleness and elegance”.
Tasting at Blankiet with winemaker Graeme MacDonald, who joined the team in 2016, revealed a heart-stopping collection of 2023s. From their small vineyard situated west of (behind) Dominus Estate and up into the lower slopes of the Mayacamas, the team at Blankiet deserves
immense credit.“When you get vintages where the curtain doesn’t close on you, you get to implement all your vision and philosophy,” said MacDonald. “What ’23 brings to the table is exactly what I like to drink — and to have the owner pushing you to take risks is unique.”
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski / Robert Parker Wine Advocate / Aug 15, 2025
Drink: 2025 – 2050
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International Wine Report
Review by Joe D'Angelo
Rating: (99)
VIEWThis ‘Rive Droite’ Merlot is drop-dead gorgeous. It impresses with a beautifully layered bouquet of fresh ripe blackberries, black cherries, and cassis, accented by notes of pencil shavings, tobacco, and a touch of savory fresh sage. On the palate, it reveals a medium to full body with remarkable structure, finesse and elegance, showcasing an exceptional level of purity and freshness that elevates each sip. The fruit is vibrant yet refined, framed by polished tannins and a sleek texture. The finish is long and seamless, lingering with echoes of juicy blackberries, graphite and a delicate hint of espresso, leaving a lasting impression of sophistication and balance.
Drink 2025 – 2050
