Nicholas Allen Wines Carte Blanche Proprietary Red 2010 Front Label
Nicholas Allen Wines Carte Blanche Proprietary Red 2010 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

Savory notes prevail, with dark chocolate, well-aged cigar wrapper, fresh cut cedar, intertwined with dark plum, cracked peppercorn and a highlight of cherry. Brooding notes of cassis, damson plum, and black cherries are surrounded by plush ripe tannins, ending with a gushing and sturdy finish.

Blend: 30% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot

Professional Ratings

  • 92
    Very tight, with aromas of fresh-turned earth, dried berry and herb, cedar and tobacco. Very much a Bordeaux-inspired blend of grapes and style, with an emphasis on structure. Ends with the flavors pushing through. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Nicholas Allen Wines

Nicholas Allen Wines

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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.

DOB130460_2010 Item# 130460