Blackbird Vineyards "Paramour" Proprietary Red Wine 2016
(Napa Valley, California) - [WA 94] [VM 94] [JD 93+]

About the Winery:
Blackbird Vineyards is one of the newer "Cult" wine superstars of Napa, making use of a superb vineyard in Yountville plus two superstar winemakers of Napa Valley and Bordeaux, Aaron Pott and Sarah Gott. Former and current employers for these stellar winemakers include Joseph Phelps, Newton, Quintessa, Fisher, Seven Stones, Château Troplong Mondot, Premier Grand Cru Classé St. Emilion and Château La Tour Figeac Grand Cru Classé St. Emilion.

Very conscious of the benefits of blending, Blackbird aims for a Pomerol style of wine, using distinct combinations of grapes for each of their four proprietary blends; the three higher-priced wines all have far more birds depicted on the label than Arise, the entry-level variation on the theme.

About this Wine:
Blackbird Vineyards’ Paramour possesses both sensuality and commanding structure. Cabernet Franc and Merlot have a fragile but irresistible chemistry that flourishes when climate, soils, and seasons align. Paramour reveals the passion and harmony embodied in this love affair.

Blend: 82% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Aging / Cooperage: 21 months in French oak barrels - 75% new, 25% seasoned.

Tasting Notes
"With a bright approach of blueberry, black cherry, cedar, porcini mushrooms, and mint, the wine shines on the nose of this Cabernet Franc dominant blend. Wonderful richness of violets, plum and chocolate and gives way to tight grain tanins with a supple finish on the palate. This wine is captivating and will continue to develop gracefully with long term aging in the cellar." - Winemaker, Aaron Pott

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Composed of 82% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Paramour Proprietary Red is deep garnet-purple colored and features notes of tar, tilled black soil, fungi and oolong tea over a core of red and black currants, black raspberries and crushed plums. Medium-bodied with a chewy, stewed tea-laced frame, it delivers loads of bright, refreshing flavors and a quiet, earthy intensity on the finish. 1,545 cases were made." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Oct 2018)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2016 Paramour is one of the best wines I have tasted from Blackbird. Dark, succulent and inviting, the 2016 possesses terrific depth and nuance. Chocolate, black cherry, spice, new leather and menthol build in this racy, vibrant Cabernet Franc-based blend. Most of this fruit is sourced from Stagecoach, Hudson and Crocker Starr." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2018)

93+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Lastly, the Cabernet Franc-dominated cuvée is the 2016 Paramour Proprietary Red Wine. Deep purple-colored, with fabulous complexity in its blackberry, cherry, strawberry, incense, and floral aromas and flavors, this beauty is medium to full-bodied, tight, and straight on the palate. Very much in the style of the other 2016s from this estate, it has enough structure to require 3-5 years of bottle age and should be long-lived." - Jeb Dunnuck (1/31/2019)