2006 Blackbird – “Illustration”

Recently enjoyed this wonderful red blend of which most is Merlot with Paul and our wives. Since the 2003 inaugural release Blackbird Vineyards has been receiving high scores from some of the industry’s best wine critics.

 Proprietor: Blackbird Vineyards

Vintage: 2006

Appellation: Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District

Varietals: 86% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon

Note: Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels of which 70% are new and 30% are older.

The wine is bottled completely unfined and unfiltered. 1,195 cases are made. the sorting is done by hand with a double and sometimes triple picking of the best fruit.

Tasting: Beautiful rich ruby color in the stem. On the nose jammy bing cherries, red currant, blackberry, cocoa, comino, graphite, and toasty oak.

The wine has beautiful, fresh bright acidity, with great balance, lush velvety tannins,  and a generous long finish.

Rating:  94 PC, 95 JH