Carte Blanche is one man’s challenge to himself.
Nicholas Allen grew up with one foot on American soil and the other immersed in the culture of two of Bordeaux’s oldest, greatest châteaux. He gained an early exposure and genuine interest in wine at the family dinner table. A restless, independent, free spirit, Nick knew he had to make his own mark on the world of wine. He looked west to the Napa Valley, where he found the tabula rasa he could transform into something entirely his: Carte Blanche Wine.
Nick’s family have been wine connoisseurs, and in the wine business, for nearly a century. Nick’s great-grandfather, Clarence Dillon, acquired the Classified First Growth Château Haut-Brion in 1935, therewith creating the family company, Domaine Clarence Dillon. While Nicholas Allen’s family are shareholders of DCD, the Carte Blanche brand is not directly affiliated with Domaine Clarence Dillon.
Ten-year old Nick first gains an appreciation of fine wine, at the family dinner table, thanks to his grandmother, Dorothy Dillon Allen.
Nick’s first visit to Bordeaux, where he would return every four years for family reunions and related meetings.
Philippe Melka, fresh out of University of Bordeaux, arrives at Château Haut-Brion for a five-month internship in viticultural studies that would influence the course of his career forever.
Nick’s idea for Carte Blanche crystallizes.
With the business established, Nick begins meeting with winemakers.
An auspicious year, with the birth of Nick’s son Austin, which Nick calls “a huge inspiration—to commit to working harder than ever before, stay dedicated, endeavor to persevere—and pursue my true passion.” 2007 also marked Luc Morlet’s appointment as winemaker.
Carte Blanche’s first vintage, with the first contract signed for Beckstoffer Missouri-Hopper Vineyard. The leadoff Cabernet Sauvignon and Proprietary Red from this vintage both score 96 points in Wine Spectator.
Helen Keplinger is hired as winemaker for ten outstanding vintages. An alum of Bryant Family, Grace Family would also hire her, a year later, in 2014.
Bordeaux native Philippe Melka—fresh out of The University of Bordeaux with a Master’s in Agronomy and Enology—landed at Château Haut Brion in the auspicious summer of 1990.
That half-year he spent there was a formidable introduction to the attention to detail in the vineyard and the cellar that distinguishes the First Growths from the rest of Bordeaux. It’s these small details he’s mastered—whether at Dominus Estate, Pétrus, or any of the scores of renowned consulting clients he’s worked for over the last three decades.
A geology major to the core, Melka’s natural fidelity is to the soil: his goal is only to allow a great terroir to announce itself in the glass. He’s also renowned for a restrained, yet fruit-forward quality to his wines, making his Atelier Melka the ideal winemaking partner for Carte Blanche.
Growing up on a farm in Bedminster, New Jersey—home to five generations of his family—some of Nick’s fondest memories are of his grandmother, Dorothy Dillon Allen, presiding over family dinners. Exceptional wines marked every significant occasion in the life of the family, and she passed this proud family heritage in wine production to her descendants.
“Over time, I became fascinated by both the science and nature of great wines—the grand alliance between winemaker and nature, art and technology,” Nick says. One memorable Christmas, Dorothy gave Nick a wax stamp with his initials. Today that wax seal is the proud vintner’s mark for Nicholas Allen Wines.