Blackbird Vineyards Illustration Proprietary Red 2011
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Based on Merlot, this Right Bank-style Bordeaux blend has rich, instantly likeable flavors of cherries, currants, cocoa, green olives and violets. New oak plays a prominent role, both in toasty flavors and in wood tannins. The wine feels softly tannic in the mouth, and will be fabulous now with a great steak, but it also will develop over the next 10–12 years.
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2014-
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Connoisseurs'
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Robert -
Suckling
James
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Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
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Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine
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Enthusiast
Wine
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Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert
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Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
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Parker
Robert -
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Spectator
Wine
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.