2014 Nicholas Allen Carte Blanche Proprietary Blend Red

A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2014 Proprietary Red is killer stuff that checks in near the top of the vintage. Deep purple-colored with loads of cassis and black cherry fruit intermixed with notes of chocolate, scorched earth, and subtle graphite, it’s full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and layered on the palate. It’s a sensational Napa blend from winemaker Helen Keplinger. 200 cases. Carte Blanche is run by Nicolas Allen and was founded in 2007. The estate worked with the talented Luc Morlet up through 2014 before bringing on board Helen Keplinger. Her 2014s are brilliant wines… and the 2015s are even better!

Composed of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 10.5% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Malbec, the 2014 Proprietary Red has a deep garnet-purple color and compelling cassis, black cherries, mulberries and plums nose with hints of chocolate box and menthol. Full-bodied and jam-packed with muscular black fruit, it has a very firm, ripe, fine-grained tannic backbone and a long, pure-fruited finish. 200 cases were made.

The 2014 Proprietary Red Wine is a powerful, tannic wine that is going to need at least a few years to fully come together, but it is impressive, even at this early stage. This is an especially vibrant 2014. Floral, savory overtones laced with violet, lavender, spice and menthol add shades of nuance throughout.