Production:

2 Puncheon Barrels

(150 6-pack cases, 33 Magmun bottles)

 A wine influenced by Vega Sicilia’s Unico, the great Tempranillos of Spain and blends of Europe,

Parador is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo (sourced directly from the Ribera del Duero and Rioja).

Founded in 1998, Parador wines have evolved from the early blends which included Sangiovese, striving for the balanced flavors of the old world

utilizing world-class fruit grown in the Napa Valley.

Gran Reserva was determined possible in 2001,

selected from two new Taransaud French oak puncheon barrels.

Aged a total of 6 years prior to release: three years in barrel and three years in bottle.

Blend: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon / 25% Sangiovese / 14% Tempranillo

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 (7.92 tons on 3 acres). Typically higher pH mountain fruit; deeply colored, with faint mountain-thistle and dark berry character. (4.49 tons) - (46%)

Luce-Abbey Vineyard – Prime St. Helena hillside vineyard. One ton of Classic Napa Cabernet; broad, complex structure / Fantastic Aromatics. (1.47 tons) - (15%)

Sangiovese

Caldwell Vineyard – John Caldwell’s Coombsville vineyard is quite well known and not by accident. This is an area cooler at times than Carneros. The Sangiovese here is a small planting of Grosso clone on a hillside bowl. The resulting fruit is very high pitched - cherry-like character with amazing naturally high acidity. Here, the high frequencies soar. (2.49 tons) - (25%)

Tempranillo

Rancho Chimiles Vineyard – This virgin vineyard site was cleared and planted especially for the Parador project, from cuttings and plants originating from the Ribera del Duero and Rioja. – The vineyard is planted at an elevation of 1000 feet and on a slope filled with sandstone rock. When observed by Alejandro Fernandez he remarked the site ‘looks like that which one would find in Spain’.   (.52 ton) (6%)   <2001 is the first crop from this recent planting>

Rhinefarm Vineyard – Small planting just north of Carneros. Very cool-climate vineyard, producing color-extracted berries. Imparts typically broad mouthfeel and interplays with the Sangiovese & Cabernet to create Burgundy-like spice in the bouquet.  (.71 ton) (8%)