Paradigm Winery - Oakville Appellation

Hello Again!! Happy New Year!! As promised the news articles are coming at you fast and furious!!

I get alot of questions about how I choose wines for purchase. Well for starters I do ALOT of tasting, and this is the best way to find out what you like, and also what you DON"T like. You will taste the most wines when either out on a wine tour or at a tasting or promotional event. Remember many moons ago when speed dating was big? Big wine tastings are kind of like that, you only get to spend a brief moment or two with a small taste, then on to the next one, etc. Now say if you really like what you see and taste, you will want the opportunity to get to know the wine better. at this point I will purchase a bottle or two for later, when my palate and other senses are not being bombarded. After spending an evening with a friend and savoring the wine, I can form a decent opinion if this a) wine I want to buy. b) Is this wine to drink or cellar? c) how much to buy? This depends on your personal budget, storage capacity, etc.

Speaking of wines worthy of taking home for Mom, today's winery is Paradigm!! Located in Oakville, Napa, Paradigm is owned by Ren and Marilyn Harris. The Harris' started growing grapes in 1975, with their first Cabernet vintage being 1991. Their winemaker is Heidi Barrett and she has been at the winemaking helm since the first vintage. The Harris' have 55 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Petit Verdot grapes which yield approx. 220 tons of fruit. Their annual case production is about 6,000 cases.

Now let's get on to the wines, shall we?

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon - $68/btl, 4900 cases - 88% Cab Sauv, 10% Merlot, & 2% Cab Franc. This cab starts with an excellent aroma of chocolate and fruit. A full mouth feel, lush and velvety. Well balanced with solid finish. Start drinking now through 2015.

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - $62/btl, 4,100 cases - 94% Cab Sauv, 4% Merlot, & 2% Cab Franc. Big fruit, spicy oak nose. Full, voluptuous feel with cherry, slight wood vanilla tones. Much like the 05 but with a little more structure and firmness that makes Lou say hold until 2013 then drink thru 2020.

2006 Merlot - $44/btl, 1,200 cases - 92% Merlot & 8% Cab Sauv. This is an excellent drinkin', medium bodied Merlot. Nice spicy plum nose, soft on the palate with a slightly dusty finish that I find appealing (I drank a lot of Rutherford Cabs in my mis-spent youth).

2007 Merlot - $44/btl, 1,239 cases - 90% Merlot, 6% Cab Sauv, 2% Cab Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. DING DING DING!!! This one rings my bell!! This is a beautiful, big, fat slap you in the face wine with luscious fruit flavors all along the palate. Me thinks '07 is going to be a great one for Merlot lovers.

Paradigm also produces limited quantities of Zinfandel $38 a bottle and Cab Franc $48, but current vintages are almost sold out, so you better act quick or you will have to wait for the new releases.

Lou's News gives Paradigm WAY HIGH marks for producing excellent quality wines, and having a knowledgeable, friendly staff doing the tasting and vineyard tour. I also commend the Harris Family for keeping their prices reasonable (Very Reasonable considering their prime Oakville location, and a "Rock Star" wine maker). Other Napa "labels" charge Two and a half times Paradigm with out the quality. Great Job Paradigm!!! I will keep bringing my tours here as long as they keep letting me in!! Happy New Year Everybody!!!!



Lou