Blackbird Vineyards Paramour Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2011

When the temperature goes down outside, the desire of a warmer styled beverage increases. Personally I don’t have a “go to” cold weather beverage. It honestly depends on my mood, my craving and/what I may be making that night. This particular evening was freezing cold in the northeast, so I reached for an impressive

Artisanal wine producer? Right Bank inspired wines? Terroir driven? Sustainable since day 1? Winery named in honor of Merlot (French patois for “little blackbird”? If you haven’t guessed already, I am referring to Blackbird Vineyards, located in Napa Valley, California. These ultra quality wines. They focus on Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in their blends. The 10 acre estate in Oak Knoll has similar qualities of the Right Bank in Bordeaux - soil composition and microclimate. Their wines are aged in 100% French oak for at least 20 months.

Blackbird Vineyards Paramour Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2011

Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, California

Their wines have the elegance of the Right Bank but the richness and polish of Napa. The blend is 71% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Deep garnet gem with a ruby center. Perfumed aromas of sweet tobacco, cedar, cocoa, sweet blue fruit, crushed red berries, blackberry jam, cola, and violets. Layers of texture - chocolate, nutmeg, fine grained tannins, velvety smooth with a persistent length ending on a coffee mocha note. A full bodied wine 14.2% abv, 11 years old it still had a youthfulness to it which could have easily aged for another 5+ years. Succulent, soft and seductive, perfect for cold weather or with a classic surf and turf.