Lail's Blueprint wines are made as a modern interpretation of the most classical Bordeaux varieties, attempting and succeeding in capturing the ever-shining sunlight of the Napa Valley to transform it into robustly flavorful wines that drink beautifully upon release. The term 'crowd pleaser' comes to mind! "Blueprint" is named after Jon Lail's highly regarded architectural design achievements. The Cabernet Sauvignon is predominately Cabernet Sauvignon with additions of Merlot and Petit Verdot. The grapes hail from properties all throughout the Napa Valley AVA. The wine is aged for roughly 18 months in French oak, of which 55% is new.
ANTONIO GALLONI 94 POINTS - "Robin Lail is Napa Valley royalty. Her great-granduncle, Gustave Niebaum, founded Inglenook, while her father, John Daniel Jr., made the estate’s wines during its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s. Daniel later sold Inglenook, a decision that forced Lail to build her own career from scratch. It has not been easy, but rewards always come to those who are persistent in the face of adversity. Lail worked at Robert Mondavi Winery in the late 1970s, a pivotal time during which Robert Mondavi pushed her to build on her father’s legacy. Later, she co-founded Dominus with Christian Moueix and Merryvale with Bill Harlan. In 1995, Lail founded Lail Vineyards and began working with noted winemaker Philippe Melka."
"The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint is a fabulous entry-level offering from Robin Lail. Dark, ample and seductive, the 2023 delivers on all fronts. Blackberry, graphite, dried herbs, leather and chocolate are all dialed up. Blueprint is a blend from some of the top sites in Napa Valley. It's one of the very best Napa Valley Cabernets in its price range. The 2023 is perhaps the best vintage of this bottling ever."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "Lail's 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint—a blend of fruit from eight sites and aged in 50% to 60% new French oak—delivers an experience that's consistent with what readers have come to expect. It's inky in hue and emphasizes dark fruit, like black cherries and cassis, while remaining medium- to full-bodied yet silky, with fine-grained tannins and a balanced, elegant, softly dusty finish. It's a solid value, even more so if you find it discounted."
JEB DUNNUCK 92 POINTS - "Deep purple and ruby-hued, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint is sourced from a broad mix of sites across the valley, including Calistoga, Coombsville, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Stags Leap District, and Yountville. Based on 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot and aged 17 months in 65% new French oak, it offers deep blackcurrants, plums, chocolate, woodsmoke, and black cherry notes. It's medium to full-bodied, with spicy oak, a round, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. Drink 2025-2035."
ANTONIO GALLONI 94 POINTS - "Robin Lail is Napa Valley royalty. Her great-granduncle, Gustave Niebaum, founded Inglenook, while her father, John Daniel Jr., made the estate’s wines during its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s. Daniel later sold Inglenook, a decision that forced Lail to build her own career from scratch. It has not been easy, but rewards always come to those who are persistent in the face of adversity. Lail worked at Robert Mondavi Winery in the late 1970s, a pivotal time during which Robert Mondavi pushed her to build on her father’s legacy. Later, she co-founded Dominus with Christian Moueix and Merryvale with Bill Harlan. In 1995, Lail founded Lail Vineyards and began working with noted winemaker Philippe Melka."
"The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint is a fabulous entry-level offering from Robin Lail. Dark, ample and seductive, the 2023 delivers on all fronts. Blackberry, graphite, dried herbs, leather and chocolate are all dialed up. Blueprint is a blend from some of the top sites in Napa Valley. It's one of the very best Napa Valley Cabernets in its price range. The 2023 is perhaps the best vintage of this bottling ever."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "Lail's 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint—a blend of fruit from eight sites and aged in 50% to 60% new French oak—delivers an experience that's consistent with what readers have come to expect. It's inky in hue and emphasizes dark fruit, like black cherries and cassis, while remaining medium- to full-bodied yet silky, with fine-grained tannins and a balanced, elegant, softly dusty finish. It's a solid value, even more so if you find it discounted."
JEB DUNNUCK 92 POINTS - "Deep purple and ruby-hued, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint is sourced from a broad mix of sites across the valley, including Calistoga, Coombsville, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Stags Leap District, and Yountville. Based on 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot and aged 17 months in 65% new French oak, it offers deep blackcurrants, plums, chocolate, woodsmoke, and black cherry notes. It's medium to full-bodied, with spicy oak, a round, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. Drink 2025-2035."
