2010 ILLUSTRATION
Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine
"The 2010 Illustration demonstrates elegant notes of mocha and toffee with opulent red fruit and iris aromas. The well balanced mid-palate offers great density and abundant flavors of cocoa, butterscotch and stone fruit. The finish is persistent in length with sophisticated tannins leading to a smooth mouth feel. Drinking well upon release, Illustration will age beautifully with time in the cellar. Blackbird's 2010 vintage wines showcase grapes farmed from a lower yielding harvest that produced supple wines with European-style texture and pronounced complexity."
— Winemaker, Aaron Pott
| Blend | 48% Merlot 30% Cabernet Franc 22% Cabernet Sauvignon |
|---|---|
| Harvest | Fall 2010 |
| Release | Spring 2013 |
| Barrel Regime | 21 months in French Oak barrels - 75% new, 25% seasoned |
| pH | 4.03 |
| Total Acidity | 0.52 |
| Alcohol | 14.5% |
| Production | 548 cases |
| Optimum Drinking | 2013 - 2026 |
| Retail Price | $125 |
The Vineyards
Each wine in the portfolio is a true example of Blackbird's ongoing commitment to quality by partnering with a selection of Napa Valley's most prestigious vineyards.
Blackbird Vineyard - Located in the Oak Knoll District, Blackbird's estate vineyard, with clay soils underlaid by gravel, is an ideal site for Merlot. The region's cool nights preserve acidity in the fruit, providing natural balance.
Hudson Vineyard - Perched on a rolling hillside in the cool climate of Carneros, the Hudson Vineyard is a high-quality fruit source for Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Stagecoach Vineyard - Atop the Vaca Mountains south of Pritchard Hill, the rocky, volcanic terroir of the Stagecoach Vineyard produces intense Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Crocker & Starr Vineyard - The Crocker & Starr Vineyard's deep pocket of well-drained gravel creates aromatic Cabernet Franc with impressive structure and finesse.
The heart is full of infinite possibilities...
Illustration represents the core - the heart - of Blackbird Vineyards. Every element of Blackbird's multi-faceted wine portfolio draws inspiration from this singular, Pomerol-inspired Merlot. It is an undiluted illustration of the passion, time and concentration invested in creating elegant, multi-layered wines. Illustration challenges the notion that Cabernet Sauvignon is the only age-worthy red wine crafted in the Napa Valley.
Vintage Notes: 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 ![]()
Editorial Reviews | Peer to Peer Reviews
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