Blankiet Estate
Blankiet Estate
Claude and Katherine Blankiet found the site for their Napa estate in 1996, buying an undeveloped hillside above Yountville after years of searching and naming it Paradise Hills. The vineyard rises across volcanic knolls and alluvial swells, with changing soils and exposures packed into a remarkably small area. Viticulturist David Abreu and winemaker Helen Turley helped divide and plant the land as four distinct sections. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot anchor the vineyard, joined by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
The Blankiets remain the proprietor-vintners, while fourth-generation Napa grower Graeme MacDonald leads the winemaking. Organic farming, repeated selective picks and close sorting reflect a house willing to move slowly for a precise view of the site rather than chase volume. Blankiet is therefore best understood as a small American estate with a Bordeaux vocabulary and a distinctly Napa sense of scale, sunlight and place.
Blankiet Estate Paradise Hills Vineyard 2004 Merlot
American Red
Black cherry, blackberry and plum lead a deep, opulent bouquet. Dark chocolate, espresso and anise add richness, while herbs, black olive and a trace of smoke bring savoury definition. The palate is full and seamless, with generous fruit carried by smooth, integrated tannins. Broad without feeling heavy, it finishes long and composed with cassis, cocoa, liquorice and a lingering earthy note.