Paradigm Merlot Oakville Napa Valley 2018

Heidi Barrett’s been making wine for Paradigm from the outset in the early 1990s, making them one of Napa’s most reliable top producers. Winery notes: “The wine is a medium garnet color with lovely aromas of red and dark plums, black cherry, and a little cranberry-like fruit. There is a savory spice element of Chinese 5 spice and some sweet toasty French Oak. Across the palate it is soft, elegant, with matching flavors to the aromatics.”