2016 Blankiet Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard
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S$46897
Vintage : 2016
Country : USA
Region : Yountville, Napa Valley
About Winery
Paradise Hills is farmed organically and is Napa Green Certified.
Greek and Roman farmers knew that better wines are made from vines that are planted on hillside vineyards in depleted soil. This type of farming is best to control the grapevine’s relentless propensity in growing canes and leaves instead of fruit. Farming these sites require an enormous amount of labor, but the reward is a crop full of intensely flavored berries.
Pruning is done during the winter, while the plant is dormant.
There are two basic systems of pruning: Cane pruning or Spur pruning.
We use the later as it is better suited for the French hybrids varieties we are growing. The most fruitful buds are situated near the base of the canes, so all wood is cut back to short spurs with two buds and the rest of the wood is removed.
Pruning is done during the winter, while the plant is dormant.
There are two basic systems of pruning: Cane pruning or Spur pruning.
We use the later as it is better suited for the French hybrids varieties we are growing. The most fruitful buds are situated near the base of the canes, so all wood is cut back to short spurs with two buds and the rest of the wood is removed.
To further enhance wine concentration and complexity, the number of clusters a vine is allowed to ripen is restricted. During the growing season buds, flowers, leaves and clusters are carefully thinned out, allowing each vine to produce a metered amount of fruit in accordance to its age, terroir and specific weather conditions of the year.
Water needs are regularly monitored during high heat by checking the moisture level in leaves to prevent the shutdown of photosynthesis. By mid-summer, the diminishing hours of sunlight signals to the vines that the end of the season is near and to spend all their energy in ripening the clusters of berries.
Winemaker Notes
Claude and Katherine Blankiet continue to make subtle changes in their winemaking at Blankiet Estate. Michel Rolland has been replaced by Denis Malbec, but superstar viticulturist David Abreu still manages this gorgeous hillside vineyard in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, just behind the large estate of Dominus. The 2008s have improved dramatically since last year, which may be the result of the culling out of certain lots for their second wine called Prince of Hearts. The 2007s essentially performed as well as they did last year, and it appears to be the greatest vintage yet produced at Blankiet.
About Winery
Paradise Hills is farmed organically and is Napa Green Certified.
Greek and Roman farmers knew that better wines are made from vines that are planted on hillside vineyards in depleted soil. This type of farming is best to control the grapevine’s relentless propensity in growing canes and leaves instead of fruit. Farming these sites require an enormous amount of labor, but the reward is a crop full of intensely flavored berries.
Pruning is done during the winter, while the plant is dormant.
There are two basic systems of pruning: Cane pruning or Spur pruning.
We use the later as it is better suited for the French hybrids varieties we are growing. The most fruitful buds are situated near the base of the canes, so all wood is cut back to short spurs with two buds and the rest of the wood is removed.
Pruning is done during the winter, while the plant is dormant.
There are two basic systems of pruning: Cane pruning or Spur pruning.
We use the later as it is better suited for the French hybrids varieties we are growing. The most fruitful buds are situated near the base of the canes, so all wood is cut back to short spurs with two buds and the rest of the wood is removed.
To further enhance wine concentration and complexity, the number of clusters a vine is allowed to ripen is restricted. During the growing season buds, flowers, leaves and clusters are carefully thinned out, allowing each vine to produce a metered amount of fruit in accordance to its age, terroir and specific weather conditions of the year.
Water needs are regularly monitored during high heat by checking the moisture level in leaves to prevent the shutdown of photosynthesis. By mid-summer, the diminishing hours of sunlight signals to the vines that the end of the season is near and to spend all their energy in ripening the clusters of berries.
REVIEW
Vinous (Dec. 2018)
Review by Antonio Galloni
Rating: (98)
The 2016 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard, Blankiet’s Merlot-based wine, is magnificent today. Merlot can be very quirky in its youth, especially when just bottled, but the Rive Droite is incredibly expressive, which provides a great opportunity to see its potential. Rich and boisterous in the glass, with tremendous textural resonance, the Rive Droite is gorgeous. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2016 for at least a handful of years. I don’t see the 2016 ready to offer its best drinking any time soon.
View review as PDF
International Wine Report (May 2019)
Review by J. D’Angelo
Rating: (100 )
The 2016 ‘Rive Droite’ is made from predominately Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc and it is a total beauty that exudes striking class and refinement. It instantly begins to impress with its stunning aromatics of red and dark currants which are woven together with fresh spring florals, spices, licorice, herbs, and tobacco to form the gorgeous perfumed nose.
tastingbook.com (Nov. 2020)
Review by Tastingbook
Rating: (100)
The Tastingbook points (Tb points) given to this wine are the world’s most valid and up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world’s 50 best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of Tastingbook professionals and users, and the generally recognized vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get a TB score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service, which is unbiased, non-commercial, and free for everyone.
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98 points Vinous
The 2016 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard, Blankiet's Merlot-based wine, is magnificent today. Merlot can be very quirky in its youth, especially when just bottled, but the Rive Droite is incredibly expressive, which provides a great opportunity to see its potential. Rich and boisterous in the glass, with tremendous textural resonance, the Rive Droite is gorgeous. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2016 for at least a handful of years. I don't see the 2016 ready to offer its best drinking any time soon. (AG) (12/2018)
97 points Wine Advocate
The 2016 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is blended of 95.5% Merlot and 4.5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 19 months in French oak. It has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and gives up beautifully fragrant red rose, lilacs and damp soil notions with a core of warm plums, mulberries, spice cake and tobacco plus a waft of iron ore. Full, rich, opulent and oh-so-sexy, the palate exudes lovely warm black fruit and spice layers, finishing long and plushly textured. (LPB) 97+ (10/2018)
96 points Jeb Dunnuck
The Merlot-dominated 2016 Rive Droite is a pretty, classy, elegant expression of Merlot that has perfumed notes of tobacco leaf, damp earth, graphite, and both black cherry and cassis fruits. Possessing medium to full-bodied richness, a supple, seamless texture, and plenty of underlying structure … (1/2019)
