Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 is a Napa Valley red wine blending Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petit Verdot in a standard 750ml bottle. Produced by Nicholas Allen Wines with acclaimed winemaker Luc Morlet at the helm, this vintage carries a 92-point average critics score and a 93.14 ranking from GlobalWineScore, placing it firmly among Napa's serious Cabernet bottlings.

Quick Facts: Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2010  |  Varietal: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot  |  Winemaker: Luc Morlet  |  Producer: Nicholas Allen Wines

Production & Heritage

Nicholas Allen launched the Carte Blanche project in 2008, enlisting Luc Morlet — one of Napa Valley's most sought-after winemakers — to shape the wine's identity from its earliest vintages. The 2010 is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, a combination that gives the wine a brooding, darkly concentrated structure uncommon even among premium Napa reds. The Petit Verdot component contributes depth of color, tannic grip, and a distinctive medicinal-floral undertone that sets this bottling apart from single-varietal expressions in the Allen portfolio and the broader appellation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with crushed blackberry and blueberry before revealing layers of minerals, bitter chocolate, and violet. There is a youthfully medicinal quality — likely amplified by the Petit Verdot — that adds intrigue and complexity.

Taste: On the palate, this wine is incredibly dense and virtually impenetrable in its youth. Blue and black fruit saturates the entry, while the mid-palate builds with grilled herbs, licorice, new leather, and menthol. Bitter chocolate and medicinal dark fruit anchor the wine's core, delivering serious weight without losing definition.

Finish: The finish is incisive, long, and layered with graphite, crushed rocks, and lingering tobacco. Substantial tannins frame the close, suggesting this wine rewards patience and continued cellaring.

How to Drink Carte Blanche 2010

This is a wine built for the glass, not the shaker — serve it at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and consider decanting for at least an hour to allow its dense layers to open. A large-bowled Bordeaux glass helps concentrate the aromatic complexity. Given its weight and tannic structure, it pairs best with rich, protein-driven dishes rather than cocktail applications.

Best For

• Cellaring alongside other age-worthy Napa Valley Cabernets
• Gifting a collector who appreciates boutique California wine
• Pouring at a special dinner featuring prime beef or braised short ribs
• Side-by-side tasting with other premium 2010 Napa Cabernets

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Carte Blanche 2010 taste like? The dominant profile is dense blue and black fruit layered with bitter chocolate, graphite, crushed rocks, and medicinal herbal notes. It is powerful and tannic with a long, mineral-driven finish.

How does Carte Blanche 2010 compare to Opus One? Both are premium Napa Valley Cabernet-based wines from the 2010 vintage, but Carte Blanche leans toward a more brooding, densely concentrated style with its 10% Petit Verdot addition, while Opus One typically displays a more polished, Bordeaux-influenced blend incorporating multiple varieties. Carte Blanche is a far smaller-production bottling from a boutique project, whereas Opus One is one of Napa's most widely recognized joint ventures.

Is Carte Blanche 2010 good for cellaring? Yes — its dense tannic structure, high acidity markers like graphite and crushed rock, and powerful fruit core indicate significant aging potential well beyond its release date.

Where is Carte Blanche 2010 made? Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Nicholas Allen Wines in Napa Valley, California. The 2010 vintage was crafted under the direction of winemaker Luc Morlet.

What foods pair well with Carte Blanche 2010? Grilled bone-in ribeye steak complements the wine's graphite and herb notes. Braised lamb shanks mirror its richness and tannic weight. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Gruyère echo its savory, mineral qualities. Dark chocolate desserts with 70%+ cacao align with the wine's bitter chocolate undertones. Roasted portobello mushrooms bring out the earthy, leather-tinged mid-palate.

What sizes does Carte Blanche 2010 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Carte Blanche 2010 worth the price? Carte Blanche positions as a premium, small-production Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with a respected winemaker pedigree and strong critical reception (92-point average). Within that tier, it represents a serious alternative to more established — and often more expensive — Napa cult labels.

Why Carte Blanche 2010?

The partnership between Nicholas Allen and Luc Morlet produced something genuinely distinctive with the 2010 vintage — a wine that draws much of its brooding personality from a deliberate 10% Petit Verdot addition rather than relying solely on Cabernet Sauvignon's own structure. With a 92-point average critics score and a 93.14 GlobalWineScore ranking, it has earned recognition among reviewers tracking Napa's best. The 2010 vintage in Napa Valley was widely regarded as challenging and cool, which tends to reward precise winemaking — and Morlet's hand is evident in the wine's defined layers and measured power. For collectors seeking boutique Napa Cabernet with real aging potential and a distinct point of view, this is a bottling that stands on its own merits.