After the success with her own label, Helen Keplinger is out of control (in a very good way)! The latest releases of Carte Blanche Cabernet and Proprietary Red showcase Helen’s amazing talents. Only a few hundred cases of this mindboggling wine was produced from this “next” Haut Brion of the Napa Valley! After many high 90s, the wines received a 100 Point rating this time!
This family has been in the wine business for nearly a century, since his great grandfather, Clarence Dillon, acquired Chateau Haut-Brion in 1935 and the family company, Domaine. Clarence Dillon, subsequently purchased Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion in 1983. This was the inspiration to produce his own boutique label in Napa Valley.
Carte Blanche 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
GGWC 154.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6 or more
Use code SHIPFREE6 during checkout
OK to mix & match with Carte Blanche Prop Red
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points: “Lastly, and pure perfection in the glass, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% varietal from two great sites: Missouri Hopper in Oakville and Las Posadas in Howell Mountain. Aged in 100% new French oak, it offers an incredible bouquet of crème de cassis, liquid rock, graphite, lead pencil shavings, and unsmoked tobacco, with searing minerality in the aromatics as well as on the palate. Offering full-bodied richness, terrific concentration, and building tannin, this backward, dense, yet perfectly balanced 2015 needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will impress for 2-3 decades. Bravo!”
Robert Parker 97 Points: “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is made predominately from Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper vineyard. It gives a very deep purple-black color and is redolent of crème de cassis, blueberry compote, Indian spices and crushed rocks with touches of black soil, cigar boxes and Provence herbs. The palate is built like a brick house with a solid frame of firm, fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the generous black and blue fruits and beautiful spice layers, finishing on a lingering mineral note.”
Winemaker Helen Keplinger Notes: “The 2015 Carte Blanche Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% varietal makeup. Cabernet Sauvignon was farmed mainly at Oakville’s Missouri Hopper Vineyard owned by Andy Beckstoffer. A small amount of Cabernet from Las Posadas Vineyard on Howell Mountain was used in the final blend. A super complex nose leaps from the glass, showing dark and red fruits, cassis, graphite, and lead pencil. A broad palate opens to reveal black fruits, hint of red currant, and fresh tobacco leaf, all leading to a mile long silky finish. Enjoyable now with air and built for cellar aging.”
Carte Blanche 2015 Proprietary Red, Napa Valley
GGWC 149.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6 or more
Use code SHIPFREE6 during checkout
OK to mix & match with Carte Blanche Cabernet
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points: “Leading off the 2015s from this estate, the 2015 Proprietary Red is a much more Cabernet-dominated blend than the 2014 and is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and the rest Malbec. Brought up all in new French oak, this monster effort boasts a deep purple color as well as sensational notes of currants, blackberry liqueur, graphite, espresso roast and leafy herbs. Full-bodied, ripe, opulent and incredibly concentrated, this killer effort needs 2-3 years to shed some baby fat, but it’s going to keep for 2-3 decades.”
Winemaker Helen Keplinger Notes: “The 2015 Carte Blanche Proprietary Red Wine is a Right-Bank inspired blend of 59.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petite Verdot and .5% Malbec. Select vineyards and blocks were chosen and farmed specifically to attain a dense, rich wine framed by delicate fine-grained tannins. Beckstoffer’s Orchard Vineyard Merlot offers a plump & full mid-palate while providing ample nuance. Beckstoffer’s Missouri Hopper Cabernet Sauvignon in Oakville provides a full spectrum of rich and dark fruit, while the Sage Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc from Sage Ridge Canyon offers nuances of tobacco, plum, and roasted poblano. The 2015 Proprietary Red shows blackberry, black cherry and espresso on the nose. The palate entry is silky and focused, showcasing currant, crushed blackberries, graphite, and roasted poblano pepper through an enduring finish. 150 cases produced.”
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