Search results for: 'paradis proprietary red white 2021'

Matthias Planchon is a talented and determined young winemaker, representing an old line of winemakers in Sancerre. He broke with the family tradition of selling his grapes to negociants or taking them to the Cave Cooperative in Sancerre. He took over the domaine in 2014 and, until 2018, collaborated with Alphonse Mellot by selling him his grapes. Alphonse Mellot confirmed his decision to work with organic and even biodynamic viticulture. The vines are located in Sancerre, with the superb limestone terroir of “Le Paradis” adjacent to the domaine's cellar. In total, the domaine covers 5.5 hectares, part of which is still sold to negoce Alphonse Mellot, leaving only 4,000 bottles of whites and 600 of reds bottled under the domaine's name. The white wines are bright, pure and intense in flavor, and after decanting reveal a rare saltiness and mineral-articulated length on the palate. These are wines built with a vertebrate column, the result of a huge amount of work in the vines to match the vines to the rock. Le Paradis brings the generosity of limestone, embraces the contours of the mouth and unfolds in length. Matthias vinifies 30% of the grapes in barrels of 500-600L, the rest in stainless steel.

94 Points! Blackberry, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and spices. Bright and vivid. Medium-bodied with firm, racy tannins and excellent length. There’s an energy and focused directness with lovely length. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 15% mablec, 7% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

92 Points! While the 2021 Proprietary Red could be released as a Cabernet Sauvignon (it's 75% Cabernet Sauvignon), they've opted to keep it as a Proprietary blend to allow for more flexibility in the future. It has a great nose of juicy blue fruits and subtle cassis as well as medium to full-bodied richness, some textbook Cabernet chocolate and tobacco notes, a round, mouth-filling texture, and outstanding length. It's a beautiful wine that will evolve for 10-12 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2011 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc is a rare and distinctive wine within the Palazzo portfolio, reflecting Scott Palazzo’s long-standing inspiration from the great white blends of Bordeaux. Crafted in very limited quantities, the wine is built around Sauvignon Blanc, supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, selected for their ability to bring texture, balance, and age-worthiness rather than overt aromatic intensity. As with the estate’s red wines, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been offered to the public, providing a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white designed for graceful evolution.

Tasting Note:
With more than a decade of bottle age, the wine opens with layered aromatics of preserved citrus, white peach, and subtle floral notes, accented by hints of almond, honey, and gentle spice. On the palate, it is textured and refined, showing stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by lively acidity and a creamy, integrated mouthfeel. Subtle mineral and savory notes add complexity, while the finish is long, poised, and quietly powerful. In magnum, the wine retains remarkable freshness and cohesion, highlighting both its aging potential and its unique place within the Palazzo lineup.

100 Points! Each year, the blend of Ovid wines varies depending on the vintage. Winemaker Austin Peterson prefers not to pre-plan the blend, instead approaching each vintage with a fresh perspective. Often, the wine needs more Cabernet Sauvignon to qualify as a Napa Valley varietal wine. The vineyard features an abundance of Clone 4, planted across four of its 17 blocks within the 6ha site. This clone contributes a distinctive savoury character and polish, evident in the 2021 vintage with its flinty minerals, green tobacco, and mulberry fruit, reminiscent of Napa Cabernets from the 1970s. Comprising 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, the wine is aged 20 months in 66% new French oak. It is full-bodied with ripe, chewy tannins that assert themselves on entry but gradually soften, revealing a beautifully layered wine with mineral-infused mulberry fruit and green tobacco aromas. The wine exhibits notable tension, supported by a pH level 3.78, ensuring vibrancy and freshness. It is a pedigreed wine characterised by balance, intensity, and complexity. - Decanter Magazine

100 Points! Moving to the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, it's 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the balanced 7% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Insanely pure, it offers kaleidoscope-like aromatics of black and blue fruits, spring flowers, chocolate, burning embers, and bouquet garni. Full-bodied on the palate, it doesn't get any better, and it's concentrated, has building tannins, and a monster of a finish. Offering more generosity and opulence than just about every other wine in the vintage, this is a killer bottle of wine! It will make your eyes roll back in your head today, yet will ideally be given 4-5 years of bottle age and will evolve gracefully over the following two decades. Bravo!

The 2013 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc comes from a highly regarded Napa Valley vintage known for structure, clarity, and balance. Continuing Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired approach to white wine, the blend is built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, chosen for their ability to add texture, depth, and age-worthiness. Produced in very limited quantities, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been offered to the public, providing a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white crafted for long-term evolution.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with focused aromatics of citrus zest, white peach, and subtle floral notes, layered with hints of almond and gentle spice. On the palate, it is precise and energetic, showing bright citrus and stone fruit flavors carried by vibrant acidity and a refined, creamy texture. Subtle mineral and savory nuances add complexity, while the finish is long, clean, and poised. In magnum, the wine retains impressive freshness and tension, highlighting both the strength of the vintage and the longevity of the blend.w

The 2014 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc comes from a warm, consistent Napa Valley vintage and reflects a confident expression of Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired approach to white wine. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend emphasizes texture, balance, and long-term aging potential. Produced in very limited quantities, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been made available to the public, offering a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white designed to evolve with grace and depth.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with expressive aromatics of ripe citrus, white peach, and pear, layered with subtle floral notes and a hint of honeyed richness. On the palate, it is generous yet composed, showing stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by bright acidity and a smooth, rounded texture. Notes of almond, soft spice, and gentle mineral nuance add complexity. The finish is long, polished, and harmonious, with the magnum format preserving freshness while allowing the wine’s richness and structure to unfold seamlessly.

The 2012 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc comes from a warmer, more generous Napa Valley vintage and represents a richer yet still finely balanced expression of Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired white wine philosophy. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend emphasizes texture, harmony, and the ability to evolve gracefully with age. Produced in very limited quantities, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been made available to the public, offering a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white designed with longevity in mind.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with inviting aromatics of ripe citrus, white peach, and pear, layered with subtle floral notes and a hint of honeyed richness. On the palate, it is broader and more generous than the 2011, showing stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by bright acidity and a smooth, rounded texture. Gentle notes of almond, soft spice, and mineral nuance add complexity. The finish is long, balanced, and polished, with the magnum format preserving freshness while allowing the wine’s richness and depth to unfold seamlessly.

97 Points! Hailing from Oakville, the 2019 Au Paradis is nuanced, with ripe redcurrant, fresh tobacco, and sweet baking spice. The palate is fully dry and has lift through its dark fruited profile. The midpalate is flush with roses and ripe red plum, giving way to a well-balanced, tannic structure. Drink 2024-2044. - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2018 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc Reserve comes from a generous and well-balanced Napa Valley vintage and represents a confident continuation of Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired white wine program. Drawn from the finest lots of the year, this Reserve bottling emphasizes depth, texture, and precision while maintaining freshness and long-term aging potential. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend was produced in very limited quantities and bottled in magnum exclusively for Palazzo’s private members. This marks the first time these Reserve magnums have been offered to the public, providing collectors a rare opportunity to experience a later-era Palazzo white at a compelling stage of evolution.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with expressive aromatics of ripe citrus, white peach, and pear, layered with subtle floral notes and a hint of honeyed richness. On the palate, it is generous yet refined, delivering stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by vibrant acidity and a smooth, integrated texture. Gentle notes of almond, soft spice, and mineral nuance add complexity. The finish is long, polished, and harmonious, with the magnum format preserving freshness while allowing the wine’s richness and structure to unfold gracefully.

The 2017 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc Reserve reflects a mature and confident chapter in Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired white wine program. Crafted from the finest lots of the vintage, this Reserve bottling emphasizes precision, structure, and long-term aging potential while maintaining balance and restraint. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend was produced in very limited quantities and bottled in magnum exclusively for Palazzo’s private members. This release marks the first time these Reserve magnums have been made available to the public, offering collectors a rare opportunity to experience one of the estate’s most refined white wines in its most age-worthy format.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with focused aromatics of citrus zest, white peach, and subtle floral notes, layered with hints of almond and gentle spice. On the palate, it is precise and composed, showing bright citrus and stone fruit flavors carried by vibrant acidity and a refined, creamy texture. Subtle mineral and savory nuances add depth and tension, while the finish is long, clean, and poised. In magnum, the wine retains remarkable energy and clarity, underscoring its elegance and long-term aging potential.

93 Points! Made by Geneviève and Luc Janssens, the 2016 Proprietary Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that spent 30 months in French oak. Revealing a dense purple color as well as Old World notes of dark currants, tobacco, chocolate, and spring flowers, this rich, medium to full-bodied effort has ripe tannins, a rounded, elegant texture, and a great finish. It shows the classic, balanced style of this vintage nicely. It's terrific today yet should evolve for 15-20 years as well. - Jeb Dunnuck

97 Points! Pouring an opaque red, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis is lush and refined with aromas of cassis, espresso, violets, and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, this refined profile continues on the palate, with a ripe, velvety texture, fine tannins, and notes of black cherry liqueur and mocha, as well as floral oils that last long on the palate without feeling heavy. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

The 2015 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc Reserve represents the most focused and expressive white wine in the Palazzo portfolio. Drawn from the finest lots of the vintage, this Reserve bottling reflects Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired approach at its most deliberate, emphasizing depth, texture, and long-term aging potential. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend was crafted in very limited quantities with the intention of extended evolution in bottle. As with all Palazzo magnums, this format was reserved exclusively for private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these Reserve magnums have been offered to the public, providing collectors a rare opportunity to experience the pinnacle of Palazzo’s white wine program in its most age-worthy form.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with a layered and confident aromatic profile, showing ripe citrus, white peach, and subtle tropical notes, accented by hints of almond, honey, and gentle spice. On the palate, it is richly textured yet precise, delivering stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by vibrant acidity and a creamy, integrated mouthfeel. Savory mineral undertones add complexity and length, while the finish is long, polished, and quietly powerful. In magnum, the wine retains remarkable freshness and balance, signaling a long and graceful evolution ahead.

92 Points! The 2020 ‘Machete’ is a proprietary blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache that was stored in 34% new French oak for 14 months before bottling. A soft texture greets you as green peppercorns greet you alongside black currant jelly, cigar ash and dark chocolate shavings with kirsch cordial notes. Considering the vintage, this is a really good effort. - Owen Bargreen

92 Points! A proprietary red blend of Petite Sirah, Grenache, Syrah, and Zinfandel aged eight months in 31% new oak. Orin Swift has opened a new, lovely tasting lounge in the town of St. Helena, CA and is worth a visit for those coming to the Napa Valley. Dave Phinney, the founder of Orin Swift, calls all the picks and continues working and honing these wines in the cellar. Rich black cherry, toffee, and caramel spices lead to a full-bodied wine with red berry fruit and chocolatey, robust, chewy tannins. The long fruit driven finish offers ample brown spices and toasty cedarwood. - Decanter Magazine

91 Points! Potent and dense, with brooding flavors of blackberry and cherry accented by bitter chocolate, cracked pepper and savory meat tones as this builds tannins on the finish. Grenache, Syrah and Petit Sirah. Best after 2025. - Wine Spectator

The 2007 Proprietary Red comes from a standout Napa Valley vintage and reflects a moment when Scott Palazzo’s blending philosophy reached a new level of confidence and clarity. This wine builds on the foundation of earlier releases while showing greater depth and precision. Produced in very limited quantities, the magnum format was held exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and never released to the public until now, making this a rare opportunity to experience a fully mature Napa proprietary blend in its most age-worthy format.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with layered aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, and plum, accented by cedar, tobacco, and warm spice. On the palate, it is rich yet composed, with concentrated dark fruit framed by softened tannins and balanced acidity. Subtle notes of cocoa and savory earth add complexity. The finish is long and polished, showing depth and harmony enhanced by extended aging in magnum.

99 Points! The 2016 Au Paradis is borderline perfection in a glass and shows the incredible quality both of this estate and the vintage. Tons of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, savory spice, dried earth, and graphite notes all emerge from this full-bodied, structured, concentrated effort that reminds me of a First Growth Pauillac. With building tannins and incredible purity of fruit, it’s going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle and keep for three decades. - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2003 Proprietary Red stands as one of the earliest expressions of Scott Palazzo’s winemaking vision and reflects his long-standing admiration for the great blended wines of Bordeaux. Crafted during the formative years of the estate, this wine set the foundation for Palazzo’s later Master Blend philosophy, emphasizing balance, structure, and age-worthiness over sheer size. Produced in extremely limited quantities, the magnum format was held exclusively for Palazzo’s private members for more than two decades. This release marks the first time these mature library magnums have ever been made available to the public, offering a rare opportunity to experience an early Napa Valley proprietary blend with remarkable bottle age in the format best suited for longevity.

Tasting Note:
With over twenty years of evolution, the wine opens with complex aromatics of dried cherry, fig, and plum layered with cedar, leather, and warm spice. On the palate, it is smooth and fully integrated, showing savory red and dark fruit supported by softened tannins and balanced acidity. Secondary notes of tobacco, cocoa, and earth add depth and nuance, while the finish is long, resolved, and graceful. In magnum, the wine retains notable freshness and cohesion, highlighting both the strength of the vintage and the enduring elegance of Palazzo’s early blending philosophy.

93 Points! A proprietary red blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Syrah aged seven months in 32% new oak. Brambly red berry fruit, red spices, curry, coriander, cumin, and cedarwood were kissed with vanilla. Round, rich, silken red berry fruits, strawberry preserves, and grilled herbs are harnessed by intricate tannins of fine-grained cedarwood with a long saline mineral finish augmented by crunchy cinnamon-kissed red berry fruits. - Decanter Magazine

98 Points! Coming from Oakville, the 2018 Au Paradis gives up a deep ruby/purple hue as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, green tobacco, lead pencil, sandalwood, and dried flowers. Flawlessly balanced, full-bodied, with silky yet present tannins, it's one of those elegant, seamless wines that surprise you with its richness and depth. It reminds me of a great vintage from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou and is a brilliant, elegant, complex Cabernet that will evolve for two decades or more. - Jeb Dunnuck