Carte Blanche Proprietary Red 2016
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling
Product Details
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from Napa Valley, the 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, all aged in new barrels. This cuvée is made with the idea to be slightly more accessible and offers a St. Emilion-like feel in its blue fruits, tobacco leaf, crushed rocks, and cedary, spice-laced aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, has a layered, balanced texture, and terrific tannin quality. It’s another powerful yet elegant wine from Keplinger.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Proprietary Red is a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 100% French oak barrels. Very deep purple-black in color, it displays intense blackcurrants, warm blackberries and blueberry compote notes with suggestions of tree bark, incense and tar plus a waft of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied and firm, with exquisitely ripe tannins, it delivers wonderful length and depth.
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James Suckling
Subtle and complex with plum, chocolate and hazelnut character, but always reserved. Medium to full body, lightly soft tannins and a juicy finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. Very drinkable now. Why wait?
Other Vintages
2015-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker - PinotReport
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker
The core of the Carte Blanche wine producing philosophy is to respect the terroir in each wine, thus accepting the responsibility to honor what the earth has given us. In early 2014, Carte Blanche continued its commitment to that mantra in welcoming Helen Keplinger as the new winemaker. With each vintage, Carte Blanche is celebrated —the freedom to create wines from singular or multiple vineyards, varietals or appellations. They constantly strive to extract the best out of nature and science. Their art and creative freedom allows them to work with an open canvas and develop exceptional wines that enhance our celebration of life.
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.