This special blend commemorates Blackbird Vineyard's 10th anniversary of winemaking. With an ingrained focus to diversity of varietals and terroir, Blackbird is unwavering in their commitment to craft wines of distinction---for near-term enjoyment and long-term aging potential. The 2012 vintage is exemplary, and truly personifies the belief that Blackbird is Born to Fly.
"The 2012 Denary Cuvée offers exquisite aromas of blackberry, blueberry and tobacco. This predominately Cabernet Franc blend celebrates the tenth anniversary of winemaking for Blackbird Vineyards. Showcasing textured layers of chocolate and nutmeg combined with fine-grained tannin and cedar overlay, the supple finish is round and balanced, providing persistent length of flavor. With no frost, a mild spring and summer and a peaceful Fall, the 2012 vintage was what some describe as an ideal growing season."
Winemaker, Aaron Pott
The 2012 Denary Cuvée offers exquisite aromas of blackberry, blueberry and tobacco. This predominately Cabernet Franc blend celebrates the tenth anniversary of winemaking for Blackbird Vineyards. Showcasing textured layers of chocolate and nutmeg combined with fine-grained tannin and cedar overlay, the supple finish is round and balanced, providing persistent length of flavor. With no frost, a mild spring and summer and a peaceful Fall, the 2012 vintage was what some describe as an ideal growing season.
Blend |
54% Cabernet Franc - 28% Merlot - 18% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Harvest |
Fall 2012 |
Release |
Spring 2015 |
Barrel Regime |
21 months in French Oak barrels - 75% new, 25% seasoned |
Alcohol |
14.7 % |
Production |
20 barrels |
Optimum Drinking |
2015 - 2028 |
Release Price |
$150.00 per 750ml bottle |
Vintage Notes
94
Points
"A Bordeaux-inspired blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a tightly woven wine with buoyant minerality and a baseline of complexity, dry and balanced in cranberry, graphite, herb and tobacco leaf. It is composed and layered, enjoyable now and over time, through 2022."
Wine Enthusiast
August 2015
92+
Points
"The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Denary comes primarily from the Stagecoach Vineyard in the eastern sector of Napa Valley. It reveals classic notes of coffee beans, crème de cassis and bouquet garni, medium to full-bodied power, and some tannin to shed. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 15+ years."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
92
Points
"Denary Cuveé observes the 10th release of Blackbird Vineyards, selected from the top barrels. The nose is lilting red berry, lavender and underlying savory notes of spice and elderberry. The palate is brilliant, firm and toned black stone fruit and currant. Possesses great vitality. Drink 2015 - 2027."
Doug Wilder, Purely Domestic Wine Report
92
Points
"Black fruit, smoke, espresso, tobacco, graphite and savory herbs are some of the many notes that emerge from Blackbird's 2012 Denary cuvée. One of the more dense, extracted wines in this range, the Denary cuvée is going to need at least a few years in bottle for the tannins to start softening. There is little of the vintage's early appeal here."
Vinous Media - By Antonio Galloni
December 2014