Blackbird Vineyards Paramour 2016

82% Cabernet Franc; 15% Merlot; 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. 21 months in French oak barrels, 75% new. From Shiflett Vineyard, Crocker & Starr, Hudson Vineyard, and Stagecoach Vineyard.

In the words of Blackbird's wine-making team: "Cabernet Franc and Merlot have a fragile but irresistible chemistry that flourishes when climate, soils and seasons align. Paramour reveals the passion and harmony embodied in this love affair." This is dark in colour, rich and dense but at the same time really rather lovely, possessing a little of the elegance and tomato leaf character we look for in Cabernet Franc but rarely find outside of the Loire Valley, alongside a much more considerable density than is typical of that part of the world. With a bright approach of blueberry, black cherry, cedar, mushrooms, and mint, the aromas of this wine really shine. On the palate, richness of violets, plum and chocolate gives way to tightly-grained tannins with a supple finish.