2016 Prince of Hearts Red
Buying options
Tasting notes
Lastly, the 2016 Prince of Hearts Red is based on 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot, all aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. It’s another seamless, elegant wine from the estate that has remarkable complexity in its sandalwood, spice box, chocolate, and cassis and blueberry-like fruits. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and ultra-fine tannins, it can be drunk today or cellared for 15+ years. It’s another beautiful wine from this team that has both power and finesse.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Blankiet's 2016 Prince of Hearts is bright, lifted and precise, especially for a wine at this level. The higher presence of Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage gives the Prince of Hearts a slightly more tense feel than has been the case in some recent years. Bright red cherry, rose petal, mint and blood orange all run through this super-refined, brilliant entry-level offering. Readers who can find the 2016 are in for a real treat, as the wine is truly special. From a stylistic perspective, Prince of Hearts is more closely aligned with the rest of the range than it has been in the recent past. Prince of Hearts remains the largest production wine at the estate and a reminder of Claude and Katherine Blankiet's total commitment to bottling only the best in their flagship wines.
The 2016 Prince of Hearts Paradise Hills Vineyard is composed of 53.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.1% Merlot, 4.9% Cabernet Franc and 3.2% Petit Verdot aged 19 months in French oak. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it features flamboyant black cherries, warm plums and black berries notes with touches of Indian spices, menthol, rose hip tea and red earth. Medium to full-bodied, firm and with a beautifully ripe texture, it is opulent, soft and seductive through the long, earth-laced finish. 1,610 cases produced.