Blankiet Estate
Paradise Hills Vineyard Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
This is a wine that need lots of time in the decanter or big ass glass.
Trying to understand this wine from just pouring a glass and drinking it is pointless.
Full bodied (Imagine meatloaf in fight club, may he rest in peace) complex, super tight and vivid yet 18 years young. On the nose I sense tar (freaking new highway asphalt!) probably new and old reused oak. Scent of white spirit in that haze of tar before sweet jammy fruit appears between a rich autumn forrest with leaves that start to decompose in my nostrils. Mineral notes between iron, copper, gravel and a plummers jacket. This is by far a wine that I can’t decide if I like or love I’m intrigued by its mystique and bedazzled by its harsh appearance. These grapes must have grown on vines stuck with its roots deep in some serious steriod soil.
On the palate, long jammy blue fruit, violets, ripe black plum, blackberry, liquorice, tar, rich iron minerality towards licking your own wound. Long lasting finish going to sundried blue fruit, tobacco and jeez this wide palete with its perfectly integrated oak and smooth tannins.
I’m ready to give my verdict after 4-5 hours in the glass, I love this wine so much.
This is a wine that need lots of time in the decanter or big ass glass.
Trying to understand this wine from just pouring a glass and drinking it is pointless.
Full bodied (Imagine meatloaf in fight club, may he rest in peace) complex, super tight and vivid yet 18 years young. On the nose I sense tar (freaking new highway asphalt!) probably new and old reused oak. Scent of white spirit in that haze of tar before sweet jammy fruit appears between a rich autumn forrest with leaves that start to decompose in my nostrils. Mineral notes between iron, copper, gravel and a plummers jacket. This is by far a wine that I can’t decide if I like or love I’m intrigued by its mystique and bedazzled by its harsh appearance. These grapes must have grown on vines stuck with its roots deep in some serious steriod soil.
On the palate, long jammy blue fruit, violets, ripe black plum, blackberry, liquorice, tar, rich iron minerality towards licking your own wound. Long lasting finish going to sundried blue fruit, tobacco and jeez this wide palete with its perfectly integrated oak and smooth tannins.
I’m ready to give my verdict after 4-5 hours in the glass, I love this wine so much.
Deep purple. Sweet and plummy. Fructose feel. Hot and wild. Jammy. Hot.
Deep purple. Sweet and plummy. Fructose feel. Hot and wild. Jammy. Hot.
Jul 4th, 2019
This is an elegant, feminine beauty. It's a back to back night of 2003. On the nose, liqueured black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, warm, slightly chard toast, anise, black cherry licorice, baking spices and dark fresh & dry florals. The mouthfeel is resolved, rich and elegant. Fruits of; black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, a blend of black raspberries & raspberries. Bright vanillin, cinnamon, medium spice, toast, bright red florals, violets, dark & milk chocolate, rich, moist loamy soils, touch of crushed rocks, delicate volcanic minerals, mouthwatering acidity and a polished, rich finish that lasts & lasts. This is somewhere around it's peak. It's incredibly delicious! Photos of; their beautiful vineyards, amazing Italian style villa estate and front entrance. Producer history and notes...Blankiet was started by Claude & Katherine Blankiet in 1996 with 46 acres ranging over several volcanic hills above the town of Yountville. I believe Claude made his first big money as the creator of Stone Washed Jeans. David Abreu was hired to develop the land and Helen Turley made their first eight vintages. The winery is connected to a deep underground network of caves and were designed by architect John Lail. Blankiet’s current winemaker is Bordelais Denis Malbec, the former cellar master at Chateau Latour. Blankiet is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted in volcanic soils while the Merlot is planted in gravelly-clay alluvial soils. Blankiet has great Terrior locations and have spared no expense in their winemaking facilities. If you haven't had their wines, they are definitely worth acquiring.
This is an elegant, feminine beauty. It's a back to back night of 2003. On the nose, liqueured black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, warm, slightly chard toast, anise, black cherry licorice, baking spices and dark fresh & dry florals. The mouthfeel is resolved, rich and elegant. Fruits of; black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, a blend of black raspberries & raspberries. Bright vanillin, cinnamon, medium spice, toast, bright red florals, violets, dark & milk chocolate, rich, moist loamy soils, touch of crushed rocks, delicate volcanic minerals, mouthwatering acidity and a polished, rich finish that lasts & lasts. This is somewhere around it's peak. It's incredibly delicious! Photos of; their beautiful vineyards, amazing Italian style villa estate and front entrance. Producer history and notes...Blankiet was started by Claude & Katherine Blankiet in 1996 with 46 acres ranging over several volcanic hills above the town of Yountville. I believe Claude made his first big money as the creator of Stone Washed Jeans. David Abreu was hired to develop the land and Helen Turley made their first eight vintages. The winery is connected to a deep underground network of caves and were designed by architect John Lail. Blankiet’s current winemaker is Bordelais Denis Malbec, the former cellar master at Chateau Latour. Blankiet is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted in volcanic soils while the Merlot is planted in gravelly-clay alluvial soils. Blankiet has great Terrior locations and have spared no expense in their winemaking facilities. If you haven't had their wines, they are definitely worth acquiring.
Jul 30th, 2017Excellent nose. Dark cherry juice, clove, toast, soft tannin, a bit short on the finish. I'm not sure if the wine is showing all its colors right at the moment, opened 45 min and decated. Fruit is strong and acidity is balanced a bit high on the
alcohol. May show better tomorrow.
Excellent nose. Dark cherry juice, clove, toast, soft tannin, a bit short on the finish. I'm not sure if the wine is showing all its colors right at the moment, opened 45 min and decated. Fruit is strong and acidity is balanced a bit high on the
alcohol. May show better tomorrow.
Man, I love this wine. My 2nd time having the 2004, and it's just stellar. I wrote down cinnamon and sweet/pastry/tart (in a very good way)...and went to look at my old review, which said cinnamon and key lime. Well damn, how's that for consistency!
Man, I love this wine. My 2nd time having the 2004, and it's just stellar. I wrote down cinnamon and sweet/pastry/tart (in a very good way)...and went to look at my old review, which said cinnamon and key lime. Well damn, how's that for consistency!
Nov 16th, 2016
Pretty good., drinking very well right now. In it sure that laying it down any longer would help it tremendously. Loved the dark cherries and well intergraded tannins. I thought it was going to be a massive wine but it was not. I would score this a solid 95. Picked it up from a private collector for $110. Awesome find for the money spent.
Pretty good., drinking very well right now. In it sure that laying it down any longer would help it tremendously. Loved the dark cherries and well intergraded tannins. I thought it was going to be a massive wine but it was not. I would score this a solid 95. Picked it up from a private collector for $110. Awesome find for the money spent.
Aug 16th, 2016Wow. Good thing I didn't write a review after my first sip, as this 12 year old Merlot took 90 minutes to open up. But now it's singing! Smoke and cinnamon/nutmeg on this nose. Still bursting with fruit. Velvety texture with blueberry and key lime finish. Would never ever guess that this was an 04
Wow. Good thing I didn't write a review after my first sip, as this 12 year old Merlot took 90 minutes to open up. But now it's singing! Smoke and cinnamon/nutmeg on this nose. Still bursting with fruit. Velvety texture with blueberry and key lime finish. Would never ever guess that this was an 04
Jun 2nd, 2016
Nearly through my 2002 stash of wine. What a pleasure to still have this one to finish up the tour. Definitely a Pomerol style wine, feminine enough for Suz but with a back bone tannin for me. It's in a good place now but it has also me time left too. I'll hold the last one till next year and check in at year 15.
Nearly through my 2002 stash of wine. What a pleasure to still have this one to finish up the tour. Definitely a Pomerol style wine, feminine enough for Suz but with a back bone tannin for me. It's in a good place now but it has also me time left too. I'll hold the last one till next year and check in at year 15.
Apr 23rd, 2016