Lail Vineyards Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Lail Vineyards Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at 15.2% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 94 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, this vintage showcases the multi-vineyard blending philosophy that defines the Blueprint series, drawing fruit from 12 separate Napa Valley sites and shaped by acclaimed winemaker Philippe Melka.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.2%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Winery: Lail Vineyards  |  Winemaker: Philippe Melka

Production & Heritage

Lail Vineyards is helmed by Robin Daniel Lail, a fourth-generation Napa Valley vintner whose family legacy traces back to Inglenook. The Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of nearly 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with a small addition of Petit Verdot, sourced from 12 vineyards across Napa Valley. Approximately 2,027 cases were produced of the 2019 vintage, with Philippe Melka—one of California's most sought-after consulting winemakers—overseeing the blend. The Blueprint label also carries significance beyond the bottle: it is tied to Robin Lail's commitment to the Porto Protocol, a climate initiative that places planetary health at the center of the winemaking conversation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with wild blueberries, Morello cherries, and red and black currant jellies. Secondary layers reveal dried mint, chocolate box, and cedar chest, adding aromatic depth and complexity.

Taste: Medium to full-bodied on entry, the palate bursts with crunchy black fruits joined by boysenberry and blackberry puree flavors. The mid-palate introduces blue and red fruit tones layered with cocoa, black olive, and sage. Fine-grained tannins provide structure without heaviness, and a thread of bold freshness keeps everything in balance.

Finish: The finish is long and lifted, carrying bright energy and richly layered fruit through a lingering, finely balanced close. It leaves a clean impression of dark fruit and subtle herbal nuance.

How to Drink Blueprint Cabernet 2019

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature—around 60–65°F—in a large-bowled glass that allows its aromatic complexity to fully open. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes will soften the fine-grained tannins and amplify the mid-palate fruit. Given its structure and concentration, the 2019 Blueprint is built for drinking now through the late 2020s and beyond.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Napa Valley wine collector
• Anchoring a seated dinner party with grilled red meats
• Cellaring for five to eight years of additional development
• Marking the 2019 vintage as one of Napa Valley's standout growing seasons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blueprint Cabernet 2019 taste like? It delivers crunchy black and blue fruits—blueberry, boysenberry, black cherry—woven with cocoa, black olive, sage, and fine-grained tannins. The overall impression is richly layered yet fresh and energetic.

How does Blueprint Cabernet compare to Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are approachable, fruit-forward Napa Valley Cabernets, but Blueprint draws from 12 individual vineyard sources and is produced in significantly smaller quantities (roughly 2,000 cases). Caymus is made in much larger volumes and tends toward a riper, more extracted style, while Blueprint emphasizes freshness and structural finesse under Philippe Melka's direction.

Is Blueprint Cabernet 2019 good for cellaring? Yes—its fine-grained tannins, bright acidity, and layered fruit suggest it will develop well over the next five to eight years, though it drinks beautifully upon release.

Where is Blueprint Cabernet made? Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Lail Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, using fruit sourced from 12 different vineyards across the appellation.

What foods pair well with Blueprint Cabernet 2019? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's herbal sage and dark fruit notes. Braised short ribs mirror its richness and weight. Aged cheddar or Comté cheese echo its cocoa and earthy undertones. Roasted portobello mushrooms with balsamic reduction tie into the wine's savory olive and cedar character. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage extends the finish.

What sizes does Blueprint Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Blueprint Cabernet 2019 worth the price? Blueprint positions as a premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 94-point score from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, limited production of roughly 2,000 cases, and the involvement of Philippe Melka as winemaker all support its standing in that tier. For collectors and drinkers seeking multi-vineyard complexity from one of Napa's legacy families, it represents strong value within its class.

Why Blueprint Cabernet 2019?

The 94-point rating from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate places this vintage among the strongest Blueprint releases. Philippe Melka's ability to unify fruit from 12 separate vineyards into a single, cohesive expression is the defining achievement here—no single site dominates, but the blend captures a broad cross-section of Napa Valley terroir. Robin Lail's four-generation winemaking heritage lends a depth of institutional knowledge that few Napa producers can match. Combined with a production run of just over 2,000 cases and the winery's active commitment to the Porto Protocol climate initiative, the 2019 Blueprint stands as a purposeful wine with genuine substance behind the label.