Blueprint is a blend of Bordeaux varietals and the 2005 vintage is a cu-vee of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The wine is stylistically a blueprint of the early vintages of our flagship wine, J. Daniel Cuvee
Philippe Melka has been our winemaker at Lail Vineyards since our inaugural vintage in 1995. He notes, “The 2005 Blueprint is seductive and approachable. The wine reveals dark notes of blackberries intermixed with vanilla, cacao and coconuts. In the mouth it is round with a pure attack and good balance finishing with raspberry and cherry fla-vors and well-integrated sweet tannins.” - Philipe Melka
The expertise of our winemaker, Philippe Melka, is reflected in the beautiful balance of our wines. With degrees in geology, agronomy and enology and 15 years of experience in France, Australia, Italy, and the Napa Valley, Melka brings consummate knowledge of vineyards and winemaking and a passion for exploring the relationship between soil and wine quality. We believe the apex of his artistry is in the blends he creates. Each harvest, his wines express a continuity of style and the best the vintage year offers.
Founded and led today by Robin Lail, Lail Vineyard’s history reaches back five generations to 1879 when her great granduncle Gustav Niebaum founded Inglenook Vineyards. By the 1890’s, Niebaum and his wines had become legendary, and Inglenook was considered by many to be the finest wine producer in the country.
