Product Overview
The 2018 Cervantes Blacktail Proprietary Red Wine, crafted by Andy Erickson, is only the second vintage of this blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot. The wine is complex and alluring, offering floral notes, herbs, spices, and scents of gravel and earth that are seamlessly integrated with dark, ripe fruit aromas and flavors. Aged for 20 months in barrel, the wine is structured but accessible, and the combination of fruit, tannin, and acid is mouthwatering.
Varietal Composition: 27% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 23% Petite Sirah, 4% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
Aging: 20 months in oak barrels
Production: 540 cases
Winemaker: Andy Erickson
98 Points - Wine Advocate
" "We don't have anything in mind about what the final blend will be each year," winemaker Andy Erickson said about this Blacktail blend. "We want to create something that is unique to the place this year." The 2018 Blacktail Proprietary Red Blend MMXIII is composed of 27% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 23% Petite Sirah and 4% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts with flamboyant blue fruits, plum preserves and black cherry compote notes, with hints of rose oil, Indian spices, camphor and pencil lead plus a waft of truffles. The intense, full-bodied palate delivers wonderfully ripe, rounded tannins with beautiful poise, leading to a long floral finish. Amazing wine!" -LPB, 11/30/21
92 Points - Vinous
"The 2018 Blacktail is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, an unusual combination that works so well here. Black cherry, plum, scorched earth, licorice, gravel and savory herbs are all front and center. This potent, savory wine has a lot of character." -AG, Jan/2021
