2012 Blackbird Vineyards “Contrarian”Purchased by Michael Polenske in 2003, Blackbird Vineyards (a former walnut orchard first planted with 5, 717 Merlot vines in 1997) is now an ultra premium label in its own right. Fittingly, the word 'Merlot' is French patois for 'little blackbird.' The wines for this Napa based property are inspired by Bordeaux and achieve a beautiful New World meets Old World balance. An early harbinger of Blackbird's potential arose when Mia Klein of Dalla Valle

founded in 1760) are directed by one man

From Negroamaro grapes

Aromas of red currant

The primary family holdings are in Nuits Saint Georges

and the wine is aged for three to four years in Slovenian oak barrels

The history of Château Puech-Haut is closely linked to that of its founder

depending on the cuvée

Those soils are made up of material that was eroded and accumulated as colluvial on the lower slopes

this wine has been matured for more than 80 years in with the help of a Solera system of barrels (Pipas in Spanish)

His young son

Dizy & Hautvillers (59%)

The medium weight flavors possess a polished mouth feel thanks to the fine-grained tannins that shape the lightly mineral-inflected finish