Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 90 points

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint is made from fruit purchased from four separate vineyards. Composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot, it is an outstanding example of a Napa wine available at a more approachable price. As good as the outstanding 2007 Blueprint, the dark ruby/purple-tinged 2008 exhibits lots of black currant and black cherry notes intermixed with hints of licorice and roasted herbs. Round and supple-textured with silky tannins, this mid-weight Cabernet can be enjoyed over the next 5-7 years. Proprietors John and Robin Lail are among an increasing number of Napa Valley producers making two hierarchies of wines, a less expensive cuvee based on purchased fruit and their flagship offerings that are usually made from estate-owned vineyards. The objective of these programs is to give consumers and restaurants less expensive wines without sacrificing quality. Lails value priced offerings are sold under the Blueprint label.Tel. (707) 968-9900

Review date: December 2010