1hr+ decant and needed much more as my last glass was the best. Red/Purple color. Chewy wine. Blue and black fruit on the nose with a hint of tobacco. Classic Napa sweetness on the palate with ample fruit and integrated oak. Medium plus finish. Quite lovely!
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From a pristinely-cellared magnum, this deep ruby blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (96%), Merlot (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%) was double-decanted, allowing three hours in decanter prior to funneling back into the cleansed bottle. It was then taken to a dinner party, where it was serially tasted over approximately two hours. Still very youthful, it remains aromatically loaded with dark bramble fruits, cassis, licorice, bittersweet chocolate and tobacco. Full-bodied, freshly acidic and proportionately oaked, it delivers flavors mirroring the aromas and stays solid on the mid-palate. The wine's 14.6% alcohol is well-integrated and the tannins are polished. Finishing long and smooth, this Cab is aging gracefully. Those holding comparably cellared magnums can expect another 10+ years of enjoyment. Drink now-2033.
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Always solid! Still reserved on the nose and palate after 10yrs. Medium plus depth. Dark fruit with hints of vanilla and oak. Surprised it faded fairly rapidly.
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Tannins have softened considerably and still a pretty concentrated wine. Bright cherry intermingles with blackberry, toasted oak, and cedar. Long finish.
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Wow, worth the wait. Full body, ruby color, med tannin, med- acid, mostly dry finish, more than many Napa Cabs. Blackberries, cassis, chocolate, herbs, plum.
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First time trying Paradigm, it had some character, eg subtle eucalyptus. Certainly drinkable but not impressive or even a crowd pleaser, especially for a 2012. Does not have good QPR priced at 75$+
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This one really surprised me. First time trying Paradigm hut was impressed. Big fruit but not so overwhelming that it felt like a fruit bomb. Very balanced. Some earth and tobacco and leather and chocolate notes. Smooth. Very good stuff.
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Impressed with this wine. Wasn't expecting to like it so much. But there it was, a classic new world cabernet that does nothing wrong. Black fruited, graphite, cedar, a tiny bit of vanilla. Not overwhelming in the heat nor oak nor residual sugar areas. A quality wine in all ways. This will appeal to a broad spectrum. 2012 napa has yet to disappoint.
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When I first opened it, it was about a 91-92. But, after breathing for an hour, sipping on some, recorking, uncorking after a few days, it improved a bit.
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Light nose, black fruit driven, classic new world cabernet. Slightly tannic medium finish. Seems like some additional time would help bring this all together. Enjoyable but missing the wow factor at this price point.
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PnP. Big wine. Deep dark purple color. A ton of alcohol, tannins, vanilla, oak, cedar, wood and some dark fruit. Very California in style. Not quite brooding but close to it. Well made and good balance. Needs time - very primary and still a lot of oak to work off. Wait 5 years.
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Yup, this is pretty damn good! Nose of dark fruit and dusty earth. The fruit is blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry with a wonderful core of dark chocolate, cocoa, earth, cedar, and some subtle leather notes. Opened up very nicely after a couple of hours. Well balanced wine, beautiful structure, smooth tannins, and a great long finish.
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Maybe I should have waited a few years in my cellar, but I treated myself since we are dealing with a Hurricane and I've been stuck all day. Still very nice. Bright cherry and nice tannins. Will be smoother in a few years, but I may decant the rest for a few hours. Very promising!
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Too early to score. Just opened it but can already say, this is a very good wine. Smooth caramelly aromatics but restrained. Needs to open up more. Stay tuned.
Follow up note: Got bigger and better days 2-3. Hindsight I'll give it 90 on day 1 , but definitely on the upward swing. 93+ potential.
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Dark fruits and deep red color greet you initially. Wine has medium acidity, medium body but still needs another 18 months in bottle to hit stride fully
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Dark blue and black fruits out of the gate, black currant, really nice extraction with oak building in the mid palate and diminishing by the finish. The balance is very good, needs a bit more complexity and flavors building throughout the finish for a mid-90 score but it's very good and drinks well right now without a decant. However it does open well with air.
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Wow. This was more than I expected for a wine at this price point (Bought @ $84/bottle). Love the meaty mouthful, velvety tannins, and the burn from the oak on the finish. Very bold, and delicious. Beautiful dark purple.
Quite a surprise. Found out these grapes are sourced from same vineyard Screaming Eagle is produced from. Must try!
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A favorite of mine, and it didn't disappoint! A little young, so a decant is in order. Lovely nose, bold, a tad bit smokey; and a finish of velvet! Wish I could find more around!
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The 2012 iteration of Paradigm's estate-bottled Cabernet Sauvignon includes dollops of Merlot (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%). It is an opaque crimson, concentrated wine packed with blackberries, cassis, anise and cocoa, framed with plentiful sweet tannins and well-proportioned toasted oak. There is no heat from the wine's (reported) 14.6% alcohol and the flavors gain traction on the mid-palate. Closing with impressive length, this is an outstanding Cabernet that should show well for another decade or more. Drink now-2026.
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Recommend a decant at this stage. Drank from 1/2 bottle and was still tight at the open but softening and gaining some complexity an hour in. The nose jumps out of the glass - blackberry, blueberry and dark fruits. Lots of freshness. Dark inky purple. Quite nice but interestingly I have preferred the 2011 to the 2012 thus far.
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Drinking really well at this young age. Typically Paradigm CS requires more time. I felt like this wine will definitely get better but is very good right now.
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Tasted at the winery. Big up front black cherry and blackberry fruit with subtle caramel and milk chocolate notes. Nice balance here with long finish and firm tannins. A great wine here, sit some down for a few.
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The best of the 2012 ihaveopened so far. Drinking great now but still has lots of age left. Berries, currant with cherry essence but a great smokey finish with soft tannins. Heidi Barret is a great wine maker the First Lady of Napa Cabernet and she does not disappoint in this effort.
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Bright, intense and highly aromatic on the nose, showing elements of blackberry, violets, and cassis. The palate continues crisp, with minty blackcurrant and black raspberry flavors that are laced with hints of tea, and turn chalky on the finish.
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9/9/2023 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 94 Points
1hr+ decant and needed much more as my last glass was the best. Red/Purple color. Chewy wine. Blue and black fruit on the nose with a hint of tobacco. Classic Napa sweetness on the palate with ample fruit and integrated oak. Medium plus finish. Quite lovely!
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6/1/2023 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
From a pristinely-cellared magnum, this deep ruby blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (96%), Merlot (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%) was double-decanted, allowing three hours in decanter prior to funneling back into the cleansed bottle. It was then taken to a dinner party, where it was serially tasted over approximately two hours. Still very youthful, it remains aromatically loaded with dark bramble fruits, cassis, licorice, bittersweet chocolate and tobacco. Full-bodied, freshly acidic and proportionately oaked, it delivers flavors mirroring the aromas and stays solid on the mid-palate. The wine's 14.6% alcohol is well-integrated and the tannins are polished. Finishing long and smooth, this Cab is aging gracefully. Those holding comparably cellared magnums can expect another 10+ years of enjoyment. Drink now-2033.
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5/13/2023 - Mr NC wrote:
Perfect
Top of its game
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12/26/2022 - Blackwa Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking really well now. Big tannins have softened nicely. I will probably way 2 years before drinking the next.
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7/7/2022 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Always solid! Still reserved on the nose and palate after 10yrs. Medium plus depth. Dark fruit with hints of vanilla and oak. Surprised it faded fairly rapidly.
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1/19/2022 - Dan_K wrote: 91 Points
Deep purple. Oak, cocoa, wet earth. Soft red fruit, balanced - good integration. This is in a great window now but no rush.
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9/6/2021 - Blackwa Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tannins have softened considerably and still a pretty concentrated wine. Bright cherry intermingles with blackberry, toasted oak, and cedar. Long finish.
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9/5/2021 - debauchery tea party wrote: 95 Points
Ready to rock now and for 5 or so years. So deep.
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2/21/2021 - Brentwjohnston1932 wrote: 94 Points
Depth for days!
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12/7/2020 - downpantera Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow, worth the wait. Full body, ruby color, med tannin, med- acid, mostly dry finish, more than many Napa Cabs. Blackberries, cassis, chocolate, herbs, plum.
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11/27/2020 - Blackwa Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious
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5/17/2020 - TheRhoneranger Likes this wine: 93 Points
Soft tannins with lovely nose of cherries and spice. A little heat on the pallet
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3/13/2020 - Blackwa Likes this wine: 93 Points
Aging very well.
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1/18/2020 - Topsoil wrote: 89 Points
First time trying Paradigm, it had some character, eg subtle eucalyptus. Certainly drinkable but not impressive or even a crowd pleaser, especially for a 2012. Does not have good QPR priced at 75$+
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9/20/2019 - shaftlet Likes this wine: 89 Points
Walnut, blackberry, cassis, eucalyptus, graphite with some Caramelly, lactic notes too. Med -full body. Decent structure.
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7/8/2019 - ev3rthesame Likes this wine: 93 Points
Leathery subtle fruit, graphite, and a hint of green bell pepper. Yummy.
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3/14/2019 - soyhead wrote:
tasted blind - charcoal, toasty, tobacco, caramel, smooth and round.
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1/18/2019 - tcarter Likes this wine: 94 Points
This one really surprised me. First time trying Paradigm hut was impressed. Big fruit but not so overwhelming that it felt like a fruit bomb. Very balanced. Some earth and tobacco and leather and chocolate notes. Smooth. Very good stuff.
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10/27/2018 - Geaux Tigers wrote: 87 Points
Subdued and disappointing. Could have been so much more
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9/17/2018 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 92 Points
Impressed with this wine. Wasn't expecting to like it so much. But there it was, a classic new world cabernet that does nothing wrong. Black fruited, graphite, cedar, a tiny bit of vanilla. Not overwhelming in the heat nor oak nor residual sugar areas. A quality wine in all ways. This will appeal to a broad spectrum. 2012 napa has yet to disappoint.
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9/11/2018 - K&J Likes this wine: 93 Points
When I first opened it, it was about a 91-92. But, after breathing for an hour, sipping on some, recorking, uncorking after a few days, it improved a bit.
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3/10/2018 - csklsc Likes this wine: 91 Points
Light nose, black fruit driven, classic new world cabernet. Slightly tannic medium finish. Seems like some additional time would help bring this all together. Enjoyable but missing the wow factor at this price point.
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2/27/2018 - OWC wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with previous notes. A pretty and very satisfying wine.
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12/5/2017 - Kemo Sabe wrote: 90 Points
PnP. Big wine. Deep dark purple color. A ton of alcohol, tannins, vanilla, oak, cedar, wood and some dark fruit. Very California in style. Not quite brooding but close to it. Well made and good balance. Needs time - very primary and still a lot of oak to work off. Wait 5 years.
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11/29/2017 - peeno wrote: 91 Points
Very floral. Lighter body cab. Not as much length as expected.
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11/4/2017 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Was very pleased with this supermarket purchase...Plenty of dark fruit and mocha, with no hard edges. Drank very smoothly.
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10/9/2017 - OWC wrote: 92 Points
Very pretty brambly fruit with overtones of blackberry leaf and earth. Full bodied but not heavy. A graceful wine, accessible and well framed.
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10/1/2017 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Yup, this is pretty damn good! Nose of dark fruit and dusty earth. The fruit is blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry with a wonderful core of dark chocolate, cocoa, earth, cedar, and some subtle leather notes. Opened up very nicely after a couple of hours. Well balanced wine, beautiful structure, smooth tannins, and a great long finish.
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8/26/2017 - Sabishop wrote: 92 Points
Maybe I should have waited a few years in my cellar, but I treated myself since we are dealing with a Hurricane and I've been stuck all day. Still very nice. Bright cherry and nice tannins. Will be smoother in a few years, but I may decant the rest for a few hours. Very promising!
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8/7/2017 - Tonythefish wrote: 91 Points
See prior notes
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7/21/2017 - Wine G Likes this wine:
Too early to score. Just opened it but can already say, this is a very good wine. Smooth caramelly aromatics but restrained. Needs to open up more. Stay tuned.
Follow up note: Got bigger and better days 2-3. Hindsight I'll give it 90 on day 1 , but definitely on the upward swing. 93+ potential.
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5/16/2017 - Tonythefish wrote: 90 Points
Opened by mistake. The one I need to know are you in the bottle and should be 2 to 4 points higher by then
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5/12/2017 - phynes wrote: 91 Points
A bit young but may develop.
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4/27/2017 - Tonythefish wrote: 92 Points
See prior notes
My three bottles will wait for a year now
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4/11/2017 - Tonythefish Likes this wine: 92 Points
See prior notes -- Going to let my other bottles be, as I think there is a lot of potential in this wine by cellaring
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3/12/2017 - Wbharris wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful wine. Needs at least an hour of decanting. Lovely finish.
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2/22/2017 - Tonythefish wrote: 89 Points
Dark fruits and deep red color greet you initially. Wine has medium acidity, medium body but still needs another 18 months in bottle to hit stride fully
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1/2/2017 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark blue and black fruits out of the gate, black currant, really nice extraction with oak building in the mid palate and diminishing by the finish. The balance is very good, needs a bit more complexity and flavors building throughout the finish for a mid-90 score but it's very good and drinks well right now without a decant. However it does open well with air.
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12/21/2016 - Blackwa Likes this wine: 91 Points
Quite a bit of oak on this one but still tasty
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11/18/2016 - Trader79 wrote: 91 Points
Silky, lighter weight with just a tad of heat on the end. Good wine for sure, not sure I'd pay $80 again, though.
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8/17/2016 - ev3rthesame Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow. This was more than I expected for a wine at this price point (Bought @ $84/bottle). Love the meaty mouthful, velvety tannins, and the burn from the oak on the finish. Very bold, and delicious. Beautiful dark purple.
Quite a surprise. Found out these grapes are sourced from same vineyard Screaming Eagle is produced from. Must try!
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7/28/2016 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 93 Points
A favorite of mine, and it didn't disappoint! A little young, so a decant is in order. Lovely nose, bold, a tad bit smokey; and a finish of velvet! Wish I could find more around!
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7/2/2016 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 92 Points
Elegant wine. Soft, yet bold. Great expression of oakville.
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4/28/2016 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 94 Points
The 2012 iteration of Paradigm's estate-bottled Cabernet Sauvignon includes dollops of Merlot (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%). It is an opaque crimson, concentrated wine packed with blackberries, cassis, anise and cocoa, framed with plentiful sweet tannins and well-proportioned toasted oak. There is no heat from the wine's (reported) 14.6% alcohol and the flavors gain traction on the mid-palate. Closing with impressive length, this is an outstanding Cabernet that should show well for another decade or more. Drink now-2026.
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4/28/2016 - Kemo Sabe Likes this wine: 92 Points
Recommend a decant at this stage. Drank from 1/2 bottle and was still tight at the open but softening and gaining some complexity an hour in. The nose jumps out of the glass - blackberry, blueberry and dark fruits. Lots of freshness. Dark inky purple. Quite nice but interestingly I have preferred the 2011 to the 2012 thus far.
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3/25/2016 - Encinitas_Joe wrote: 94 Points
Drinking really well at this young age. Typically Paradigm CS requires more time. I felt like this wine will definitely get better but is very good right now.
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3/18/2016 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at the winery. Big up front black cherry and blackberry fruit with subtle caramel and milk chocolate notes. Nice balance here with long finish and firm tannins. A great wine here, sit some down for a few.
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11/26/2015 - jperez68 wrote: 94 Points
The best of the 2012 ihaveopened so far. Drinking great now but still has lots of age left. Berries, currant with cherry essence but a great smokey finish with soft tannins. Heidi Barret is a great wine maker the First Lady of Napa Cabernet and she does not disappoint in this effort.
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11/13/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Hey, that is styling Cabernet.
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10/30/2015 - Al Doughty wrote: 91 Points
Bright, intense and highly aromatic on the nose, showing elements of blackberry, violets, and cassis. The palate continues crisp, with minty blackcurrant and black raspberry flavors that are laced with hints of tea, and turn chalky on the finish.
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