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Vinous (Dec. 2014) Review of 2012 Prince of Hearts, Paradise Hills Vineyard

Prince of Hearts Red Wine New

Review by Antonio Galloni

Rating: (92)


Blankiet Estate 2012 Prince of Hearts
Paradise Hills Vineyard
Yountville, Napa Valley, United States
Drinking window: 2015 – 2027

The 2012 Prince of Hearts Paradise Hills Vineyard is fabulous, as it has been the last few years. Racy and perfumed, the 2012 impresses for its balance, class and overall symmetry. Sweet floral and spiced notes add lift on the finish. Best of all, Prince of Hearts remains one of the very finest values in handmade, artisan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 is simply exquisite.

Antonio Galloni, December 2014

Grapes Variety: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Blankiet has come a long way over the last few years. Increased focus on the dual flagships Rive Droite and Proprietary Red fueled by Claude and Katherine Blankiet’s relentless pursuit of excellence has resulted in more severe selection, lower production and higher overall quality. One of the secondary results of that is a marked increase in quality of Blankiet’s second wine, Prince of Hearts, which is now one of the very best values in Napa Valley. More recently, the Blankiets have introduced a pure Cabernet Sauvignon, Mythicus. Every visit to Blankiet Estate is proof of the total obsession to detail that is the rule here. The 2012s are radiant and expressive, which is the style of the year, but I was also quite surprised by just how finessed the 2013s are now given that so many wines in this vintage are so structured and tannic. These are magnificent wines from the Blankiets and the husband and wife winemaking team of Denis and May-Britt Malbec.

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