Winemaker Luc Morlet is part owner at Carte Blanche, where, as the name implies, he has the freedom to stretch his wings in making Bordeaux-inspired reds. The wines are made with natural yeasts and natural bacteria for the malolactic fermentations. The Proprietary Red is a Bordeaux right bank-modeled wine, with Cabernet Franc from To Kalon, Merlot from Newton on Spring Mountain and Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard in Calistoga. The Cabernet Sauvignon takes its inspiration from Bordeaux’s left bank. The first vintage for Carte Blanche is 2008. The 2008 Proprietary Red emerges from the glass with espresso, cedar, graphite, spice box, earthiness and dark red fruit. Smoke, scorched earth and a host of darker aromas and flavors emerge from this sumptuous yet elegant, mid-weight wine. A fine, pointed finish rounds things out in style. This is polished, refined and totally first-class. In 2008 the blend is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
