Tom Garland

9.2

1 hour decant(decent fine/cloudy sediment). A wonderful dark magenta color. On the nose: mellow notes of dark black/blue fruit, pencil shavings, smoked meat, pine, tobacco leaf. Taste: silky wine with blackberry, currants, graphite, earth, and a spiced mineral-mocha medium plus slightly astringent finish. YUM! — 3 days ago

Ericsson

9.4

Myth or Truth? Curious what you all think. — 18 days ago

Scot Walker

9.1

Red fruit, cream and raspberry. Very smooth and balanced. Paired with chartreuse. — 18 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

2 hour decant(little fine sediment). A striking dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: very aeromatic notes with perfumed dark berries, forest floor, spearment, smoked meat, truffles. Taste: silky, layered, plush wine with dark plum/cherry, milk chocolate, smokey cedar, earth, and a peppery graphite medium plus dry finish. YUM! Drinks well with the decant and time to go. — a month ago

with Brenda

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Paradigm – Cabernet Franc 2009
Oakville, Napa Valley – USA 🇺🇸

Overview:
From one of Oakville’s benchmark estates, this 100% Cabernet Franc delivers the kind of depth and structure only Napa’s prime vineyards can produce. A bold yet refined expression of the grape, showing its potential well beyond the Loire style.

Aromas & Flavors:
An outstanding concentration of ripe red fruits, cherry compote, plum, and raspberry, interwoven with savory tobacco leaf, leather, and a dusting of cocoa powder. Subtle notes of dried herbs and graphite linger in the background, giving it a Bordeaux-like complexity with Napa ripeness.

Mouthfeel:
Full-bodied and powerful with a rich, velvety texture. The tannins are firm yet polished, supporting a long, layered finish. Still vibrant and holding beautifully at this stage, showcasing the longevity of the 2009 vintage.

Food Pairings:
Perfect alongside grilled lamb chops, venison, or braised short ribs. Earthy mushroom risotto or truffle pasta would also highlight its savory elegance.

Verdict:
Superb Cabernet Franc with boldness, intensity, and finesse. A wine that reaffirms Oakville as one of Napa’s crown jewels for structured reds. Cheers!

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight:
2009 remains a standout vintage for collectors, this bottle is superb today but still has a few more years of life. Paradigm produces Cabernet Franc in very limited quantities, making it a gem worth seeking out and cellaring. — 2 days ago

Mark Mannebach

9.3

Dark cherry, boysenberry upfront with a long finish with tobacco and chocolate notes. — 10 days ago

John Malcolm

9.9

Gave this a 9.7 in 2022. The description still matches, but it’s even better know after a two-hour decant. — a month ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

Cork came out perfect.

Blasted it with wine2pro for some oxygen and then it really became expressive within about 30 mins.

Good grip and dark structure. Showed some savory notes

Fruit came later on as it mellowed with more airtime. Little blueberry and some black fruits. — 16 days ago

Bob Boyle

9.3

Nose is faint, fully resolving into the body. Body is soft and supple but wonderful experience on the palate with medium finish. Great wine. Tannins are still there, but holding the body with gossamer gloves. — a day ago

Rob Brobst III

9.8

2013 Ontogeny Proprietary Red is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, coming from some of Russell Bevan’s favorite vineyard sources – Sugarloaf Mountain, Two Dogs, Tin Box and Tench. Quite flavorful, it is exhibiting slightly more new oak than some of the other cuvées, but is still sexy and opulent, with voluptuous texture, low acidity, and oodles of juicy, succulent black and red fruits, licorice, underbrush and a touch of vanillin. An already irresistible beauty, it can be drunk over the next 20 years. — a month ago