Blankiet Estate : Prince of Hearts 2014

An Expressive Second Wine from the Paradise Hill Vineyard of Napa

The Blankiet Estate, founded in 1996 by Claude and Katherine Blankiet, is located on the western foothills of the Macayamas Mountains above Yountville in the prestigious Napa Valley region of California. The estate's Paradise Hill Vineyard enjoys an ideal eastern exposure with plenty of sun in the morning and a cool breeze from the San Pablo Bay nearby. The vines grow on three volcanic knolls, in soils that vary from deeply fractured rocks to volcanic ash and thick clay deposits. The vineyard is divided into four sections, each with its own subsoil and microclimate, home to carefully selected root stocks grafted with clonal varieties of Bordeaux varieties sourced directly from Bordeaux's first growth estates. Cabernet Sauvignon grows in porous volcanic soils, while Merlot is planted on deep brown alluvial clay on steep north-northeast-facing slopes. Cabernet Franc occupies the east facing slope of clay loam over fractured rock and Petit Verdot is planted on the steepest east facing slopes. The vines are managed organically with special attention paid to soil balance. Yields are limited through careful thinning of buds, flowers, leaves and clusters in order to achieve a higher concentration of flavors in the harvested fruit. Harvest is carried out in a sequence of up to 32 mini harvests, depending on the vintage, with each plot characterized by its own unique ripening time.

Known as one of the six "Napa Valley Super Seconds," the Prince of Hearts 2014 red by Blankiet Estate in a Bordeaux blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. This California red wine is soft and very expressive with plenty of floral and red fruit aromas lending it a sensual, feminine personality. A wonderful Napa Valley red, especially for its price range.

Wine Advocate-Parker :
The 2014 Prince of Hearts (63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is a cuvée of 1,450 cases. This is a sort of second wine, soft, lush, and seductive, with plenty of coffee bean, black and red currant, cherry, some background oak, low acidity, and a pleasant, round, juicy, rather classic 2014 personality. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.