Owners Claude and Katherine Blankiet spent many years searching for a specific hillside vineyard on the western side of Napa Valley. Finally, in 1996 they purchased 50 acres of land that previously was part of Domain Chandon’s holdings but was never planted. This is prime vineyard land; perhaps it is surprising that it was never developed as such considering it sits directly west of Dominus Estate and one of the Napa Valley’s most historic vineyard sites, Napanook Vineyard. The Blankiets brought in Helen Turley and David Abreu to help them develop the property and named the vineyards Paradise Hills.

Blankiet Estate has unique geological characteristics as it is divided by two seismic sub-faults coming from the Mayacamas Mountain range. The land on the north side of the canyon is made of andesite rocks covered by white volcanic ash. Cabernet Sauvignon was planted there on porous and nutrient-poor soil. The 25 years old vines have developed a deep root system that brings astonishing complexity to the wines made from these grapes. The opposite side of the dividing canyon is completely different: The mountain is made from basalt, decomposing into sandy soils, while in the deepest part of the canyon, the basalt is covered by several feet of iron-rich clay. The Merlot has been planted on these slopes. A constant flow of cold air coming from the San Francisco Bay keeps the Merlot vines five degrees cooler than the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards.

Claude calls his vineyard “a puzzle of microclimates” and terroir. It is a remarkable property where 100 points Cabernet Sauvignon are produced next to 100 points Merlot wines.

These wines are typically only available through the winery’s mailing list, and not through regular retail distribution. We are thrilled to have a small shipment of these iconic wines en route to Ontario. We anticipate these coveted wines will sell out very quickly, and invite you to preorder with us directly to ensure your bottles. All orders will be honoured on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Email us to reserve your Blankiet Estate wines today.

 

Prince of Hearts Red 2016
From their organically farmed Paradise Hills Vineyard Estate, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. It aged 19 months in French oak.

2016
“It’s another seamless, elegant wine from the estate that has remarkable complexity in its sandalwood, spice box, chocolate, and cassis and blueberry-like fruits. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and ultra-fine tannins, it can be drunk today or cellared for 15+ years. It’s another beautiful wine from this team that has both power and finesse.”- 96 points, Jeb Dunnuck.

Appellation : AVA Napa Valley
Region: California
Grape(s) : Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot.
Price : $135.00 for 750mL
Case : 12 / case. Only 5 cases available.

 

 

 

 

Rive Droite 2015 and 2016 – From their organically farmed Paradise Hills Vineyard Estate, this is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It aged 19 months in French oak.

2015
“It’s another seamless, elegant wine from the estate that has remarkable complexity in its sandalwood, spice box, chocolate, and cassis and blueberry-like fruits. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and ultra-fine tannins, it can be drunk today or cellared for 15+ years. It’s another beautiful wine from this team that has both power and finesse.”- 96 points, Jeb Dunnuck.
2016
“The 2016 ‘Rive Droite’ is made from predominately Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc and it is a total beauty that exudes striking class and refinement. It instantly begins to impress with its stunning aromatics of red and dark currants which are woven together with fresh spring florals, spices, licorice, herbs and tobacco to form the gorgeous perfumed nose. On the palate this is all about sheer elegance and structure, as the beautifully pure ripe dark fruits are wound tightly with beautifully polished tannins. It goes on to display incredible precision and balance with gorgeous underlying acidity adding a lovely sense of freshness as it leads up to the incredibly long finish. The 2016 will require some significant cellaring before it hits its stride, but that being said, it is one of the finest and most sophisticated Merlots being made in all of Napa, and it possesses all the characteristics to age gracefully for decades to come.” – 100 points, J. D’Angelo, International Wine Report, May 2019.

Appellation : AVA Napa Valley
Region: California
Grape(s) : Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Price : $350.00 for 750mL
Case : 6 / case. Only 5 cases of each wine available.

 

 

Proprietary Red 2015 and 2016 – From their organically farmed Paradise Hills Vineyard Estate, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. It aged 19 months in French oak.

2015
“The 2015 Proprietary Red is a model of total elegance and finesse. Lifted and aromatically expressive, but also quite deep, the 2015 is another wine that is surprisingly fresh and vibrant. Aromatically expressive and nuanced, the 2015 is silky and plush on the palate, yet also remains remarkably tight on its feet. This is one of the most exquisitely beautiful, riveting wines I have tasted from Claude & Katherine Blankiet.” – 98 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018.

2016
“The 2016 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard is magnificent. Deep and expressive on the palate, the 2016 possesses tremendous intensity but delivered in an understated voice. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and spice develop with time, but it is the wine’s total sense of poise that once again is truly impressive. All the elements are simply in the right place. The 2016 is a total stunner, but the best is yet to come.” – 98 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018.

 

 

Appellation : AVA Napa Valley
Region: California
Grape(s) : Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Price : $395.00 for 750mL
Case : 6 / case. Only 5 cases of each wine available.

Most of our producers are small, independently owned and operated businesses, like ours. You can view our complete portfolio here. Thank you for letting us share these producers and wines with you.

Cheers,

Le Sommelier
416.603.7026
bernard@lesommelier.com

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