right-bank-blend
2014 YoungInglewood Right Bank Blend – Funambulism Perfected
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I have been an admirer of this winery since their inception and have always stated their label of the tightrope walker represents one of the best labels – the parallelism between showing how the tightrope walker reaching a their destination and the winemaker balancing so many facets of the production to arrive at the other side safely with a grand product.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This includes vineyard management, canopy trimming, dropping fruit, harvesting at the precise moment to extract the perfect juice, formulating the right blend, keeping tannins and fruit in check, etc. I seldom talk about wine labels but theirs is the exception. The label is one of the simplest yet says so much about their wine with the balancing of the tightrope walker. This is a paradigm for balance in the fruit, tannins, acidity and color. A little too much of any one item, and a misstep happens. Even deeper is their aspiring sense of balance in life, starting in the vineyards with organic and sustainable practices. All of this requires a firm grasp of balance and finesse summed up by a tightrope walker! Funambulism is the art of tightrope walking.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
It is a small family winery located in the southern edge of Saint Helena up against the western mountains in Napa Valley. Jim Young handling the administration, finances and the winemaking team is Jacky and Scott Young, a mother/son teaming up to make many exquisite wines. Currently they produce Aligoté, Chardonnay (Burgundian style), Vin Clair Rosé (lighter side of Malbec and Merlot), Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Right Bank Blend.
This boutique winery, which has consistently produced deep and concentrated red wines was voted one of the must visit wineries in California by the SF Chronicle: https://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/article/Young-Inglewood-an-organic-family-vineyard-with-15576338.php
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Opened last night a 2014 YoungInglewood Right Bank Blend. This wine is 39% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec. It is 14.5% alcohol and only 167 cases were produced. The percentages change yearly, and their current vintage is the 2020 at 130/bottle.
On the eyes an alluring and dark purple concentration of color with medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose aromatics of ripe raspberries and dark fruits. The blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot were harmonized to make a mellow presentation, yet still able to pick up the nuances of Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Sauvignon played its part to allow sufficient tannins to be presented as velvety and smooth. On the palate the Malbec provided a tinge of smokiness that was noted while sipping. A beautiful wine to enjoy alone or with a nice ribeye steak, tri tip or ribs.
This wine made my Best Wines Tasted in 2025 for sure. Only 5% of the 1500-1800 wines tasted during the year make my annual list. Treat yourself to a visit to YoungInglewood Winery as each wine is purposed and handcrafted by artisan winemakers.
Sláinte,
Michael