2003 Blankiet Estate Paradise Hills Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley

(97 Points  --  Wine Advocate)

From their beautiful hillside vineyards behind the vast estate of Dominus, Blankiet has produced a 2003 Merlot Paradise Hills Estate (14.9% natural alcohol) offering a gorgeously complex bouquet of Chinese black tea, black currants, earth, chocolate and a touch of mocha. Frankly, I’ m not sure a Napa Merlot can be any more complex than this. With a deep plum/purple color and round, juicy, full-bodied opulence, this 2003 could easily compete with the greatest Pomerols or St-Emilions. Made from 100% Merlot, it was aged 18 months in 100% new Taransaud barrels, which provide the chocolaty, espresso notes. This sensational wine is showing even better than I remember. Impressive, rich and long. It is close to full maturity, but should easily last for another decade or more in a cold cellar.  Robert Parker   Wine Advocate # 207 (June 2013)