Robin Daniel Lail grew up among the vineyards of Inglenook, founded in 1879 by her great-granduncle, Gustave Niebaum, who pioneered fine winemaking in the Napa Valley. Inglenook was passed down to Robin’s grandfather and then to her father, John Daniel Jr., a true innovator (he was the first to put ‘Napa Valley’ on his labels, and pioneered varietal labeling) and wine industry leader who produced legendary wines. Robin launched her vintner career as Robert Mondavi’s personal assistant, who became her mentor in the wine business. In 1982 Robin co-founded Dominus with Christian Moueix, and in 1983 co-founded Merryvale Vineyards with Bill Harlan, where she served as president for twelve years.
In the mid-nineties, Robin sold out of her partnerships with a vision of bringing her family’s exciting legacy into the 21st Century. Her dream of creating her own extraordinary wines set flight in 1995 when she and her two daughters, Erin and Shannon, set out on their own by launching Lail Vineyards. Today, with legendary Consultant Pilippe Melka overseeing all of the winemaking, the venture carries forth over 135 years of winemaking in the Napa Valley.
Famed enologist Philippe Melka is the winemaker for this 2018 Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon. 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot grown in extraordinary and distinct Napa Valley sites including Calistoga, Coombsville, Diamond Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, Stags Leap District, St. Helena, Yountville. This multi-vineyards cuvée is aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. The 2017 was Wine Enthusiast Magazine's #1 Wine of 2020!
James Suckling scored this 94 points saying "Medium-to full-bodied with notes of dark fruit, berries, fresh herbs, menthol and ink. The palate is savory and dry with an ink feel and firm tannins that will be benefit from aging. Long, elegant finish. Try after 2024."
Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded this a "Cellar Selection" and scored it 96 points saying "From a range of sites and expertly blended by Philippe Melka and his team, this wine has 5% Petit Verdot and spent 18 months in French oak, half of it new. Black olive, pencil shaving, sage and cedar provide a savory context against which concentrated black cherry and plum play. Coffee makes an appearance on the finish. Enjoy 2028–2035."