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Another racy, expressive wine from Carte Blanche, the 2013 Proprietary Red Wine is beautifully perfumed throughout. Dark red cherry, pomegranate, mint, spice and sweet floral notes are woven together in a sensual, supple wine that will drink well pretty much upon release. The blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc works quite well here.—Antonio Galloni

We’re honored to have been reviewed in the Fermented Fruit and featured in the Palm Beach Daily News
Cheers!

Vinous / Antonio Galloni  | 2012 Proprietary Red – 94 Points
A great example of the vintage at its best, the 2012 Proprietary Red Wine exudes richness and voluptuousness. A host of sweet red cherry, rose petal, mint and spices notes open up, with expressive aromatics that add a gorgeous top register. The positive reputation of the vintage is built on wines like this that offer tremendous radiance and near term appeal.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon – 92 Points
Dark, powerful and intense, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is laced with black cherry, plum, leather, smoke, licorice, tar, smoke and savory herbs. Plump and expressive, with a good range of textures and flavors, the 2012 is a delicious Cabernet to drink now and over the next decade.

Wine Spectator  | 2012 Proprietary Red – 93 Points
Herbal and cedary in a pleasant way, rich and full-bodied, with juicy blackberry, cherry, currant and loamy earth notes. The flavors fairly coat the palate, revealing uncommon depth and density. Very chewy on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2017 through 2030.

Check out the recent Nov. 15 coverage on Nick in Wine Spectator, which states, “Few vintners grew up drinking classified-growth Bordeaux with dinner, but for Nicholas Allen it was a family tradition…Allen spent a decade in the real estate industry before turning to wine, launching his California label, Carte Blanche, in 2007… He leases the properties he sources, which gives him more flexibility when putting together the final blends.”

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The September and October 2013 issues of Wine Spectator featured exciting reviews of our 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley  and the 2010 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Nobles Ranch Vineyard:

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($125), 91 points, 400 cases
“This pure red delivers ripe plum and red berry fruit, offering notes of crushed rock, loamy dried herbs and cedar. Ends with chewy tannins, showing an impressive push of flavors on the finish. Drink now through 2023.”

2010 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Nobles Ranch Vineyard ($75), 93 points, 125 cases
“This red exhibits a stylish mix of ripe, rich cherry, raspberry, red candy and floral scents, turning creamy and layered. Ends with a long, persistent finish that echoes fruit and light oak. Drink now through 2022.”

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar recently reviewed our 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley at 93 points: “Good bright, deep ruby. Sexy crushed blackberry, blueberry, minerals, bitter chocolate and violet on the youthfully medicinal nose. The palate is dominated by medicinal black fruit (from the petit verdot component?) and bitter chocolate flavors, yet comes across as broad, sweet and tactile, with dense, chocolatey tannins giving the wine a solid underpinning for further development in bottle. An excellent showing today.”

Another powerful, young wine, the 2010 Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon is incredibly dense and virtually impenetrable. Blue and black fruit, grilled herbs, licorice, new leather, menthol and tobacco flow through to an incisive finish layered with graphite and crushed rocks. Today, the 2010 is cool and implosive, suggesting it needs at least another few years to come together. The addition of 10% Petit Verdot seems to give the wine some of its brooding personality. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028.
– Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.  Antonio Galloni

Carte Blanche Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2009  93 pts
Beautifully made, with complex layers of red and black fruits, with blackberry, wild berry and boysenberry flavors.

Please note:
The highest rating received a 95.
Carte Blanche was number 6 out of over 175 that were tasted and rated.

To see a complete list of Tim’s recommendations click on the link below.
Tim Fish’s Recommended California Merlots

Top scores from the editors at Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Spectator reflect a powerhouse harvest from 2009.

Wine Advocate
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon  94
“The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon caresses the palate with deep layers of dark red fruit, rose petals, smoke and espresso. It is a bit more voluptuous and sexy than the 2008 in its sleek, polished personality. All of the elements flow gracefully to the huge, textured finish.”

2009 Proprietary Red  93
“This is bigger than the 2008 but not quite as delineated. It makes up for that with gorgeous richness and balance. The 2009 is 47% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.”

Wine Enthusiast
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon  94
“This is the very definition of a modern cult-style Napa Cabernet. It’s extraordinarily rich and flavorful in blackberries, blueberries, cassis and chocolate, while the jacket of tannins is as soft and velvety as modern winemaking can achieve.” 

2009 Proprietary Red  94

Wine Spectator
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon  93
“Rich and spicy, deep in plum- and currant-laced fruit, with touches of sage and licorice. Maintains its strength, while easing into a more supple ending.”

2009 Proprietary Red  93
“Beautifully made, rich and fleshy, delivering dense, complex layers of red and black fruits, with blackberry, wild berry and boysenberry flavors. Intense and persistent, with a long, persistent finish.”

The editors at Wine Enthusiast have recently scored our new releases, with some appearing in the upcoming September issue. The 2009 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay received a Cellar Selection. Cheers!

2009 Napa Valley Proprietary Red ($95) – 94 Points

2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($125) – 94 Points

2009 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($75) – 93 Points, Cellar Selection

2010 Sonoma County Proprietary White ($50) – 92 Points