2009 Blackbird Vineyards Illustration Napa Valley (3 LITER)

(93 Points)  --  (Int'l Wine Cellar)

(81% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon): Bright ruby-red. Sexy, vibrant aromas of black cherry, dark raspberry, cassis, chocolate and licorice. Densely packed and sharply delineated, boasting excellent intensity to its cherry, currant, spice and licorice flavors. Richer than the Arise, but without any impression of excess weight. This has a pH near 4 but a mineral element counters the impression of low acidity. The serious, mounting finish features firm but very fine tannins. Blackbird, whose wines are made by the talented Aaron Pott, describes itself as "an artisanal producer of Pomerol-inspired wines" and this beauty could be Exhibit A. (ST)   Reviewed May 2012