2016 Blankiet Estate, Rive Droite, Napa Valley 1x750ml

Vinous 98

The 2016 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard, Blankiet’s Merlot-based wine, is magnificent today. Merlot can be very quirky in its youth, especially when just bottled, but the Rive Droite is incredibly expressive, which provides a great opportunity to see its potential. Rich and boisterous in the glass, with tremendous textural resonance, the Rive Droite is gorgeous. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2016 for at least a handful of years. I don’t see the 2016 ready to offer its best drinking any time soon. [Antonio Galloni, 21/12/2018]

Anticipated maturity: 2024-2036

Robert Parker 97+

"The 2016 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is blended of 95.5% Merlot and 4.5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 19 months in French oak. It has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and gives up beautifully fragrant red rose, lilacs and damp soil notions with a core of warm plums, mulberries, spice cake and tobacco plus a waft of iron ore. Full, rich, opulent and oh-so-sexy, the palate exudes lovely warm black fruit and spice layers, finishing long and plushly textured. 308 cases produced." [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 29/10/2018]

Anticipated maturity: 2020-2038