Paradigm Merlot 2018
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2017-
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Ren & Marilyn Harris have been growing grapes in Napa Valley for decades – in fact, the 2018 vintage marked Ren’s 55th harvest. They purchased their own vineyard in Oakville in 1975, and began selling grapes to neighboring wineries until making the first vintage of Paradigm in 1991. Heidi Barrett made the inaugural vintage and has been the Winemaker ever since.
Most of the 50 acre vineyard is now dedicated to making Paradigm’s own wines, but they still sell part of their crop to two neighboring wineries in the Oakville AVA. Paradigm specializes in Bordeaux varieties, with bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Stylistically, their wines are classic, elegant and well-balanced.
Marilyn is a third generation Napa Valley grape grower whose grandparents came to Napa Valley from the hills of Northern Italy to grow grapes in 1890, and Ren is a sixth generation Californian whose predecessors settled San Diego in 1769. His great, great, grand-uncle was General Mariano Vallejo; the last Mexican governor of California. Ren & Marilyn still run the day-to-day operations at the winery, and their daughter and grandchildren live on the property.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.