Description
Located in the heart of the Oakville AVA’s famed red dirt in Napa Valley, Au Paradis is situated exactly where its name translates, “In Heaven.” Planted in the foothills on the east side of the valley on a raised gently sloping plateau, the Bordeaux varietals develop into a classic style with silky tannins and deep red fruit. The slope and hillside location provide ideal sun exposure during the day and help develop the lush, intense fruit one would expect from such a magnificent property. Always a Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend, Au Paradis is raised in a classically Bordeaux style, spending 18 months in French oak before being bottled without finining or filtration.
2016 was near perfect. Overall slightly cooler than average, it started early with a warm, dry spring and just enough rain to meet the vineyard’s needs. A long Indian summer gave us excellent ripening and flavour development. Moderate temperatures at harvest allowed gradual picking as each block achieved perfection, yielding a bountiful crop with excellent flavour development and slightly lower potential alcohol. The vintage produced delicate, classically styled wines with firm acidity and bright fruit. 2016 Au Paradis is elegant and packed with aromas of black currant and cassis with meaty nuances and touches of plum brandy, vanilla, caramel, clove and cinnamon. The mouth feel is round, refined and complex with plentiful, but fine-grained tannins and an incredible length of finish. Approachable now, the wine will handsomely reward five years of cellaring and will continue to age gracefully for two decades or more.