Reviews & Ratings

2009 Blackbird Vineyards Red Blends or Varietals "Illustration"

Winery: Blackbird Vineyards

Vintage: 2009

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Illustration"

Wine Category: Red Blends or Varietals

Grape blend: 81% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, & 3% Cabernet Sauvignon

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $125

Cases produced: 726

KWG Score: 93.8 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Excellent (94)

Review date: May 9, 2012

Wine Review: This opaque and pitch black colored finesse wine will certainly be a crowd pleaser. It wine opens with a mild blackberry and black currant bouquet with a hint of anise. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced, juicy and very approachable. The flavor profile is a fabulous gentle blueberry and mild blackberry blend with notes of black cherry and old oak. The finish is dry and its elegant fine tannins linger slightly. This is a very food friendly wine that would pair well with steak. I would choose filet mignon given its gentle tannins. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: The 2009 Illustration demonstrates elegant notes of cherry and toffee with long, luscious floral aromas. The well balanced mid-palate offers great density and abundant flavors of coffee 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 2009 vintage wines showcase grapes farmed with an ideal hang time, offering wines with bright flavors, balanced sugars, and acidity.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Blackbird 2009 Illustration.