Parador
1998 Vintage Data
Production: 21 barrels regular blend / 1 bottle Reserva
Vineyards:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Hossfeld Vineyard – Steep, terraced planting on eastern Napa Valley hillside bowl in Soda Canyon. Historically late-ripening vineyard with extremely low yields. Typically higher pH fruit; deeply colored, with faint mountain-thistle and dark berry character.
Sangiovese
Weitz Vineyard – Adjacent to Dalle Valle, which shares the fruit. Also located on eastern Oakville hillside. Excellent high-toned fruit with naturally bright acidity; Sangiovese perfectly pushes the higher flavor pitches of the blend spectrum.
Tempranillo
Rhinefarm Vineyard – 7 acre planting just north of Carneros. Very cool-climate vineyard producing color-extracted berries. Imparts typically broad mouth-feel and interplays with the Sangiovese & Cabernet to create Burgundy-like spice in the bouquet.
Mixed oak program:
Cabernet Sauvignon undergoes m/l fermentation in small, tight-grain French cooperage.
Sangiovese undergoes m/l fermentation in 130 gallon French oak puncheons.
Tempranillo undergoes m/l fermentation in small tight-grain American oak barrels.
Blend is assembled within 3-5 months, upon completion of m/l.