In 1996, Claude and Katherine Blankiet had the opportunity to view an undeveloped hillside property behind Dominus’ Napanook vineyard and purchased the site without hesitation, naming it Paradise Hills. The vineyard experiences a cooler terroir than other parts of Napa Valley due to its eastern exposure with bright sunny mornings and cool, shady afternoons, preserving natural acidity as temperatures rise later in the day, producing exquisitely balanced, focused fruit.

 

Viticulturist David Abreu and winemaker Helen Turley extensively studied the different soil compositions in the vineyard, dividing it into four distinct blocks with strategically selected rootstocks and clonal varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The 96 point 2016 Prince of Hearts captures the essence of this top estate, presented with a supple mouthfeel and exceptional balance made possible by the site’s complex terroir and the wine team’s diligence in the vineyard and cellar.