I have been a fan of Blankiet for a while and am super excited about Graeme being there but this e-mail is just incredible:
Dear Robert,
We hope that you and your loved ones are safe.
Katherine and I are thinking of you and we would like to help. Please let us know the name of the relief organization that is important to you.
With our best wishes,
Claude and Katherine Blankiet
Blankiet Estate
Thank goodness we’re ok and did just fine with Irma. What incredible people. I never needed an incentive to buy, but this just takes my admiration of the Blankiet’s to a new level!!
Wow – a wonderful story of customer service – no, just pure humanity. Thanks for sharing it. They deserve all of the bump in reputation they get for such a move.
Houston, TX WBer here. Blankiet is a class act, but I’d like to acknowledge other that reached out with thoughts and prayers…namely, Seven Stones, Buccella, Realm, and Vincent Arroyo. More class acts in Napa!
I had the opportunity to taste at Blankiet yesterday with Claude and Graeme. Phenomenal experience with the nicest people. Incredible attention to detail and the craft is obviously so deep in their hearts. Such pride and passion. The vineyards are impeccable and the fruit looks amazing. Tasted the 14’s and all four wines are super fresh, expressive and vibrant. Really impressive. What a treat!
They just test drove their new optical sorter with their first pick of the 17 vintage, a block of merlot. Pretty excited about quality in 17. Hope mother nature hangs in there for another month.
I met the Blankiet staff at the charity release party for the 2009 vintage in Yountville. I do not remember exactly who I spoke to, but I was so impressed with the people that I ordered more Blankiet that day than any of the other massive number of wines being poured. I am also a Graeme fan, so it seems to make a good marriage.
What vintage did Blankiet hit their stride? I bought in the early to mid 2000s when they were new and the wines were very tough and unforgiving, all structure and no fruit. Tried a couple vintages and then dropped off the list.
I think they really figured it out in 2006 and to me have steadily improved with every vintage since. And I think with Graeme now as the winemaker, they may become even better.