Cabernet sauvignon 2016 (Paradigm)

Drink now or cellar for up to 15 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. This Oakville winery was founded by Ren & Marilyn Harris whose families have been making wine in Napa for generations. The couple first started growing grapes in the valley in 1964 and are unusually still heavily involved today in the running of the winery. In 2021 Ren was selected as the Napa Valley Grower of the Year in recognition of his dedication to the industry, which has included founding the California Grower Foundation and serving as the Napa County Farm Bureau president. Their Paradigm Cabernet is a serious, powerful expression crafted from estate-grown fruit carefully selected from several top plots. Once in the winery the fruit is vinified and blended with a tiny amount of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The young wine is then matured in French oak barrels for 20 months before bottling, followed by another 20 months of ageing in the bottle. Aromatic black cherry, cassis and blueberry dominate the nose, along with undertones of baked earth, cigar box spice, and toasty vanilla from the oak ageing. On the palate there’s a punchy full body, firm structure and grippy tannins which will help this wine age beautifully in the cellar for another decade or so. The intense dark fruit character also makes it a natural partner for barbecued meats and hearty beef dishes should you wish to drink it now.