Blankiet Rive Droit 2011

Good deep red-ruby. Tight, pure, highly perfumed nose combines cassis, lead pencil, licorice and sexy spices, plus a balsamic cedary note. Supple, silky and uncompromisingly dry, showing inviting flavors of cassis, graphite, milk chocolate and cedar. Doesn't have the richness of the best vintages here but there's no shortage of aromatic complexity.

The 2011 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is composed of over 90% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Although much lighter than usual, it is still endearing, as the finest wines of this vintage tend to be. There is no hint of herbaceousness, just lots of white chocolate, espresso roast, mulberry and kirsch characteristics. Medium-bodied and soft, it is best consumed over the next decade.