Renowned Pomerol-inspired vintner releases its
2007 Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wines
(NAPA VALLEY, CA; October 2009)—Blackbird Vineyards—one of Napa Valley’s pre-eminent producers of ultra-premium Merlot-basedwines—released its highly anticipated 2007 vintage on September 29, 2009, including its flagship Illustration, along with Paramour, Contrarian, and Arise. The 2007 vintage marks winemaker Aaron Pott’s first full vintage—from harvest to bottling—for Blackbird. The quality of the 2007 Napa Valley vintage for Bordeaux varietals is being touted as one of the best of the decade by those in the know, with auction results of Blackbird’s 2007 vintage wines garnering $1,590 per case at Auction Napa Valley and $2,400 per case at Premiere Napa Valley.
“2007 was a low-rainfall vintage with below-average yields,” Pott says. “The growing season was moderately cool, producing wines of intense color and vibrantly complex fruit. The wines show brilliant, tight-grained tannin and excellent texture that will age impeccably.”
Blackbird Vineyards’ 2007 portfolio includes the following:
- 2007 ILLUSTRATION (70% Merlot - 20% Cabernet Franc - 5% Cabernet Sauvignon - 5% Malbec)
Illustration represents the core--the heart--of Blackbird Vineyards. Every element of Blackbird’s multifaceted wine portfolio draws inspiration from this singular, Pomerol-inspired Merlot. Illustration challenges the notion that Cabernet Sauvignon is the only age-worthy red wine crafted in the Napa Valley. (55 barrels, $90) - 2007 PARAMOUR (50% Merlot - 45% Cabernet Franc - 5% Cabernet Sauvignon)
Paramour possesses both sensuality and commanding structure. Merlot and Cabernet Franc have a fragile but irresistible chemistry that flourishes when climate, soils, and seasons align. Paramour reveals the passionate relationship between these two varietals, as well as that between the winegrower and the land. (22 barrels, $90) - 2007 CONTRARIAN (46% Cabernet Franc - 34% Merlot - 20% Cabernet Sauvignon)
Contrarian is crafted by passion and instinct. This textured blend possesses both an aromatic richness and subtle tannin profile. It exudes the Pomerol-inspired elegance Blackbird Vineyards wines are known for, while displaying the regal posture that comes from superior Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. (24 barrels, $90) - 2007 ARISE (75% Merlot - 20% Cabernet Franc - 5% Cabernet Sauvignon)
Arise is the most aspiring wine in the Blackbird Vineyards repertoire. Harvested, vinified, and barrel aged with an identical commitment to quality and elegance as Blackbird’s core wines, every vintage of this sister label Bordeaux-inspired blend is hand-tuned to express the luscious flavors and lithe structure that only comes from exceptional fruit. (32 barrels, $50)
“The 2007 vintage is showing beautifully, and we look forward to seeing these wines evolve with time,” says Blackbird Vineyards Proprietor Michael Polenske. “All of them possess extraordinary structure and finesse, while displaying the complexity extracted from the highest quality fruit and devoted winemaking techniques.”
The Blackbird vineyard—a 10-acre estate vineyard which produces exceptional Merlot in the Oak Knoll District—offers a perfect convergence of growing conditions and produces exceptional fruit coveted for its rich character and elegant charm. In addition to the Blackbird vineyard, the winemaking team meticulously sources fruit of comparable quality from premium vineyard sources throughout Napa Valley. These vineyards are hand-selected for their ability to produce exceptional fruit quality with each vintage. Currently, Blackbird Vineyards welcomes guests at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley in Yountville to taste and acquire their portfolio of wines.
About Blackbird Vineyards
Founded in 2003 by Michael Polenske, Blackbird Vineyards is an artisanal producer of Pomerol-inspired wines from the Napa Valley. Planted in 1997, the estate vineyard is located in the heart of the Oak Knoll District—a region appreciated for its moderate climate and deep, gravelly soils. The vineyard’s valley floor topography presents optimum growing conditions for Winemakers Aaron Pott and Sarah Gott to produce elegantly styled, appropriately balanced red wines that offer short- and long-term cellaring potential. Limited quantities are available through an allocated mailing list direct from the winery and in the finer restaurants and hotels around the world. Visit Blackbird and become a fan on Facebook.
About Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley
Restored in 2008 by Blackbird Vineyards’ Proprietor Michael Polenske, this historic 1904 stone building serves as a stylized backdrop for Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley—“a life aesthetic.” As an art, design, and collective wine-tasting gallery among an outdoor sculpture garden, Ma(i)sonry offers guests a differentiated lifestyle experience in wine country. Located in Yountville—a world-class culinary, wine, and tourism destination— Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley features a rotating collection of limited-production wines and internationally renowned art and furnishings to appreciate and acquire. Guests are welcome to peruse Ma(i)sonry’s galleries seven days a week, with seasonal evening appointments until 10 p.m. For more information,
www.maisonry.com.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT WAGSTAFF WORLDWIDE AT 323.871.1151
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