2019 Blankiet Estate Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Merlot Rive Droite is more broad and opulent, with a sexy, full-bodied profile loaded with notions of ripe black cherries, currants, loamy earth, chocolate, and hints of tobacco. I love its balance, it has great tannins, and one heck of a finish. I’m not sure it matches the otherworldly 2018, but it’s possibly the finest Merlot in the vintage. This cuvée comes from 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, from more red clay soils of the Mayacamas Mountains, and spent 18 months in 80% new oak. 286 cases.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is dense, plush and wonderfully expressive, with terrific freshness for the year. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, lavender and licorice are all amped up. This is an unusually powerful, dark vintage for the Rive Droite. There is a bit less Franc in the 2019 vis-a-vis the 2018, which may explain its rather somber personality.
The 2019 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is composed of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, stewed black cherries, preserved plums and boysenberries jump from the nose, followed by hints of pencil shavings, tar and dusty soil, with a waft of aniseed. The palate is full-bodied and opulent with a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.