Owner Michael Polenske (who chatted with us with video camera rolling) was convinced Napa’s Oak Knoll District was underleveraged as a sweet spot for growing Merlot. In a few short years the critical acclaim attracted by his Merlot-dominated Blackbird Vineyards Proprietary Red has proven Polenske’s vision was spot on. The 2004 release by Black Vineyards winemaker Sarah Gott (of Quintessa fame) is ripe and vibrant.

“When a name-brand talent joins a new winery, the wines probably will be worth paying attention to,” writes Elin McCoy for Bloomberg News.

She further concluded of Blackbird Vineyards: “Discovering Blackbird Vineyards during a recent (Napa Valley) stay was a pleasant surprise. In this land of 150-plus cabernets, the winery’s deliciously plush, balanced and elegant 2004 red is 95 percent merlot.”

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