Blankiet Estate
Paradise Hills Vineyard Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
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, 201613 and still going strong. Half hour decant was key
13 and still going strong. Half hour decant was key
Dec 7th, 2015
Sorry Helen, but this one is fading fast... Soft texture, juicy and drinking well, but lacks grip and complexity.
Sorry Helen, but this one is fading fast... Soft texture, juicy and drinking well, but lacks grip and complexity.
Oct 19th, 2013
I wasn’t expecting this to work since the last one I opened was shot. This tastes a bit different than I expected but is still has a great color. The nose is a bit muted which I don’t think is a surprise and it’s a bit more acidic than I recall. Residual/crystalized sugar at the bottom of the glass so maybe that has precipitated out and changed the flavor a bit. The finish is lasting but more on the puckering side than I would have expected.
I wasn’t expecting this to work since the last one I opened was shot. This tastes a bit different than I expected but is still has a great color. The nose is a bit muted which I don’t think is a surprise and it’s a bit more acidic than I recall. Residual/crystalized sugar at the bottom of the glass so maybe that has precipitated out and changed the flavor a bit. The finish is lasting but more on the puckering side than I would have expected.
Jun 17th, 2024
2002 vintage. Decanted with just a little sed. Tasted immediately and after 2 hours. Medium-heavy body. Some pencil shavings and fudgesicle in the nose. Chocolate-covered raisin and dark-skinned ripe plum in the flavors. Initially, still pretty rich and "fat." Thinned out somewhat at the 2 hour mark whilst acquiring a pittance of tannins for a bit more balance. Still, waves of persistence and follow-through. Have tasted a few Napa merlots over the years since the 1985 vintage. This may be the best of them all. Still has at least 8-10 years of quality drinking ahead. This is solidly "in the zone." 11.21.23.
2002 vintage. Decanted with just a little sed. Tasted immediately and after 2 hours. Medium-heavy body. Some pencil shavings and fudgesicle in the nose. Chocolate-covered raisin and dark-skinned ripe plum in the flavors. Initially, still pretty rich and "fat." Thinned out somewhat at the 2 hour mark whilst acquiring a pittance of tannins for a bit more balance. Still, waves of persistence and follow-through. Have tasted a few Napa merlots over the years since the 1985 vintage. This may be the best of them all. Still has at least 8-10 years of quality drinking ahead. This is solidly "in the zone." 11.21.23.
Nov 22nd, 2023Sometimes I hate my wine cellar. Broken bottle soaked everything and then the cleanup caused this mess.
Sometimes I hate my wine cellar. Broken bottle soaked everything and then the cleanup caused this mess.
Feb 24th, 2019
Just never opened up even after a long decant. Astringent, disjointed finish despite wonderful nose. Likely a bad bottle.
Just never opened up even after a long decant. Astringent, disjointed finish despite wonderful nose. Likely a bad bottle.
Oct 30th, 2016
Deep purple color drove anticipation. Excellent start with a interesting nose which was not as bold as expected. However, I appreciated the fruit which was presented. The texture as you drink still remains delicate, yet pleasing. Plum and cherry with soft tannins. A finish that doesn't disappoint which invites you back. Good at $85 if you can find it. Over $125 would be pushing it in my opinion.
Deep purple color drove anticipation. Excellent start with a interesting nose which was not as bold as expected. However, I appreciated the fruit which was presented. The texture as you drink still remains delicate, yet pleasing. Plum and cherry with soft tannins. A finish that doesn't disappoint which invites you back. Good at $85 if you can find it. Over $125 would be pushing it in my opinion.
Jul 10th, 2015