The 2018 Blankiet Paradise Hills Proprietary Red Wine is a highly acclaimed blend from Napa, California. This red wine is a proprietary blend predominantly composed of 84.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 7.5% Merlot, 4.4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged with finesse, it features a robust alcohol content of 14.7% and is sealed with a traditional cork.
Jeb Dunnuck gave this wine a commendable score of 97 points, noting its Bordeaux-like nose with aromas of red and black currants, new leather, lead pencil, graphite, and bouquet garni. He praised its "medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, classy background oak, and a great finish," emphasizing that its "balance, purity, and texture" make it truly captivating. Dunnuck succinctly concluded his review with "Bravo!"—a strong endorsement of the wine's quality ("jebdunnuck.com," 1/27/2021).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated the 2018 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard highly, with a score of 96 points. The review highlighted the wine’s deep garnet-purple color and its impactful scents of "chocolate-covered cherries, crushed black currants, warm plums, and mulberries," along with subtle hints of "camphor, iron ore, forest floor, and black truffles." The palate was described as "elegant" and "intense," offering "electric black fruit and earthy layers with loads of mineral sparks and a fine-grained frame," finishing with "great length and compelling restraint" ("Robert Parker's Wine Advocate," 12/1/2020).
Vinous awarded this wine an exceptional score of 98 points, noting that the wine has "really shut down" since the previous year's tasting. The review described it as "energetic and vibrant," with a remarkable ability to "sizzle with all of the energy" characteristic of the cool, late-ripening vintage. Antonio Galloni advised that the wine should be cellared for "at least another handful of years" to fully appreciate its potential ("Vinous," 1/1/2022).
Overall, the 2018 Blankiet Paradise Hills Proprietary Red Wine is a well-crafted, balanced blend that has garnered high praise from top reviewers. Its complexity, elegance, and potential for aging make it a standout choice for wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.