Carte Blanche Proprietary Red 2015
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker - PinotReport
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the 2015s from this estate, the 2015 Proprietary Red is a much more Cabernet-dominated blend than the 2014 and is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and the rest Malbec. Brought up all in new French oak, this monster effort boasts a deep purple color as well as sensational notes of currants, blackberry liqueur, graphite, espresso roast and leafy herbs. Full-bodied, ripe, opulent and incredibly concentrated, this killer effort needs 2-3 years to shed some baby fat, but it’s going to keep for 2-3 decades.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Blended of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper vineyard with 18% Merlot, 18.5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Malbec, the 2015 Proprietary Red gives a very deep inky purple color and very pretty nose of baking spices, potpourri, underbrush and rose hip tea over a core of crushed black plums and black currants, with hints of dried mint and chocolate box. Rich, full-bodied and impactful with its layers of perfumed fruit in the mouth, it has lovely plush tannins and just enough acid lift, finishing with great length. 200 cases were made.
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PinotReport
This Bordeaux blend shows lots of ripe fruit and focus with a plum and chocolate character and hints of fresh herbs. Hints of hazelnuts and spices, too. Full-bodied, round textured with tension and focus. Some chili. Mostly Missouri Hopper fruit. Better in 2021 but very serious now.
Other Vintages
2016-
Robert
Parker -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling
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.