A RECORD PRICE FOR BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS FUTURES AT THE ANNUAL PREMIERE NAPA VALLEY BARREL AUCTION
(Saint Helena, CA) - When the last gavel dropped to close the 12th annual Premiere Napa Valley wine auction on February 23, 2008, a record $2.2 million was raised for the Napa Valley Vintners. Blackbird Vineyards' five-case lot of an elegant Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $22,000 ($4,400 per case). Celebrating its fifth vintage in 2007, Blackbird produces appropriately balanced wines with grapes sourced from its own vineyard in the Oak Knoll District as well as notable vineyard estates in the Napa Valley.
"We are honored to be an integral part of the Napa Valley Vintner's efforts, and thrilled to have the bids that we are receiving in just our third year of participation in Premiere," states Proprietor Michael Polenske. "An eighth place positioning (out of 200 wineries) for us validates that the market appreciates the combined experience of the Blackbird winemaking team and their qualitative commitment to our artisan wines."
Together, Winemaker Sarah Gott and Winegrower Aaron Pott crafted a five-case lot, from the 2006 vintage, to produce a 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon blend for this singular event. Pott (previously of Quintessa and Chateau Troplong Mondot in St. Emillion, France) comments that the blend for this year's lot offers "aromatics of lush blueberry, black cherry, violets, and coffee. There is a noticeable weight in the mouth with soft tannins on the midpalate, dense texture and an expansive finish that mirrors the bouquet."
On the Friday prior to the auction, Polenske and Pott hosted an intimate luncheon and tasting - for key restaurateur, hotelier, and retailer guests from around the world - to offer a preview of its auction lot at Martin in St. Helena. The art and furnishings showroom provided a sublime setting for showcasing the 2006 barrel sample and the currently allocated 2005 vintage. Blackbird Vineyards released its acclaimed 2005 Napa Valley Proprietary Red in the fall of 2007 at a V.I.P. dinner, hosted by CHANEL. The gala event was held at Cut, Wolfgang Puck's ultra-chic Beverly Hills steak house.
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