2009 Blackbird Paramour Auction Napa Valley Cuvée

(61% cabernet franc, 25% merlot and 14% cabernet sauvignon): Bright red-ruby to the rim. Musky dark berries and espresso on the nose. Smooth and fine-grained but youthfully backward, even medicinal, in the middle palate, with sexy flavors of black cherry, coffee and spices. Perhaps the longest of this set of 2009s, finishing with broad tannins that coat the incisors and front teeth. This very well balanced wine blossomed beautifully in the glass but I'd give it at least a couple years in the cellar before pulling the cork. If the Illustration is Pomerol-like, this is more Saint-Emilion.