Alcohol: 14,5%
Grape(s): 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 12% Zinfandel, 11% Petit Verdot, 7% Syrah, 5% Malbec
Localization: Napa Valley, California, USA
Tasting Notes: Deep, dark and luxurious, this wine offers alluring aromas of blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, currant and cocoa powder, with underlying hints of saddle leather, cinnamon and clove. The voluptuous dark berry notes are echoed on the palate where they are framed by supple tannins and sophisticated layers of anise, vanilla, sweet tobacco leaf and fresh-cracked black pepper, all of which carry the wine to a juicy dark berry finish.
Food pairing:Enjoy with the first cut from a slowly-roasted prime rib.
The Domain: Every great tradition begins as an innovation. Paraduxx was created to allow the Duckhorn Vineyards' winemakers the freedom to explore other styles without detracting from the winery's focus on Bordeaux varietals. In 1994, Paraduxx sourced 4 tons of Zinfandel from the 100-year-old vines of Napa's Korte Vineyard and blended it with Duckhorn Vineyards' own estate Cabernet Sauvignon, along with smaller amounts of Merlot and Petite Sirah, creating the first Paraduxx vintage.
Paraduxx is founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn is the only Napa Valley winery devoted exclusively to making Napa Valley blends. Though taking inspiration from the great red blends of the world, Paraduxx is also committed to making wines that reflect the character and charm of Napa Valley. The debut vintage offers a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Petite Sirah. Artfully crafted by founding winemaker Tony Biagi, Paraduxx’s wines are made to appeal to the modern palate. The visionary blends of the Paraduxx quickly establish a reputation for their bold, expressive character and their food-friendly sophistication.
Believing in the importance of combining fruit from the finest Napa Valley winegrowers with their own Estate grapes, they acquired the 39-acre Rector Creek Vineyard in Yountville. Located along the Silverado Trail, Rector Creek Vineyard will later become home to their Paraduxx Winery. Rector Creek’s unique climate, combined with its rocky alluvial soils, create ideal growing conditions for Paraduxx’s first estate plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Franc.
As Paraduxx evolves, the boldness and intensity of mountain fruit become more and more integral to the Paraduxx style. To ensure access to phenomenal mountain fruit each vintage, they acquire the Stout Vineyard on Howell Mountain, one of Napa Valley’s most sought-after, ultra-premium wine-growing regions. The 36 acres of vineyard are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Grenache, and Syrah.
2003 - In celebration of their 10th anniversary, they break ground on a winery dedicated exclusively to Paraduxx and produce a special 10th-anniversary limited-production Paraduxx wine.
2005 - Construction on the Paraduxx Winery and Vineyard House is completed. Surrounded by their Rector Creek Vineyard, the dramatic centerpiece of the state-of-the-art winery is a unique 10-sided fermentation facility inspired by the area’s traditional round barns. Upon its completion, Dan Duckhorn comments, “The creation of a separate winery for Paraduxx is the realization of a long-standing dream. In addition to having a hospitality center where visitors can taste the wines, the highly efficient layout of the winery will allow them to take the quality of their Paraduxx blends to an even higher level.”
After spending ten years as an integral part of the Paraduxx winemaking team, Cardiff Scott-Robinson is named Paraduxx winemaker. An internationally trained winemaker with experience working at such respected wineries as Harvest Moon and Lewis Cellars, Cardiff is recognized for embracing the artistry of creating exceptional contemporary blends with a mastery of multiple grape varieties gained on two continents.
