Paradigm Napa Valley Merlot 1999
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1998-
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Spectator
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.
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.