2014 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard

Blankiet was among the highlights in my tastings of the 2014s. The wines have aged impeccably and are in a sweet spot today to offer maximum pleasure. It’s always a bit difficult to taste wines from this era, as the 2014s were made by Denis and May-Britt Malbec for proprietors Claude and Katherine Blankiet prior to Denis’ passing in an automobile accident. The wines will remain as brilliant testaments to what the Malbecs achieved at Blankiet. The Cabernet Sauvignon Mythicus, in particular, is so impressive.

Tasting the bottled 2014s at Blankiet was as a bittersweet experience, as it is the last vintage Denis Malbec made from start to finish. Malbec passed away a few months before the 2014s were bottled, but the blends were finished by then. These are wines I have followed literally since the harvest. The wines were beautifully expressive when I tasted them in the spring and then fall of 2015, but they were at their very best this past spring, just prior to bottling. As is the case at many properties, the 2014s at Blankiet have closed down considerably post-bottling (especially the Cabernet-based wines) and are likely to require at least a few years to settle down. The embryonic 2015s point to another brilliant vintage here, although yields are down close to 50%. Following Malbec's passing, Claude and Katherine Blankiet have brought on Graeme MacDonald as winemaker, a courageous and forward-thinking choice that shows how committed the Blankiets are to the future. For his part, MacDonald is one of the most talented and passionate winemakers of his generation. I have no doubt he will coax every bit of magic out of Blankiet's Paradise Hills Vineyard, which is one of the most diverse and nuanced sites in all of Napa Valley. In recent years, these wines have leaned more towards finesse than power. One of the developments at Blankiet is a reduction of new oak with the 2014 vintage. The 2015s were started by Malbec, but will be blended and bottled under MacDonald's oversight, while the 2016 will be the first vintage made entirely by MacDonald. Needless to say, it will be fascinating to see how things develop at Blankiet over the coming years.

Blankiet fans will find much to admire in these current and upcoming releases. The 2012s continue to develop positively in bottle, while the 2013s capture the utter profoundness of this great Napa Valley vintage. But it is the 2014s that could turn out to be the most surprising wines in the three vintages spanning 2012-2014, as they exude brisk energy, striking aromatics and fabulous overall energy. Comparing the 2013s and 2014s here will be a fascinating exercise for many years to come. Proprietors Claude and Katherin Blankiet spare no expense to put only the very best in the bottle, while winemakers Denis and May-Britt Malbec continue to refine their approach to getting the most out of these pristine hillside vineyards. The flagship Proprietary Red and new 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Mythicus will get most of the attention, but readers should also take a look at the Prince of Hearts, which is one of Napa Valley's very finest values in artisan, world-class wine.