2005 Duckhorn Paraduxx-Finest Vintage to Date
A mixed box of the 2005 ("One of the finest vintages to date")
Duckhorn Paraduxx Zinfandel/Cabernet blend. 6-750 ML, 2-375 ML and
one 1.5 L (Magnum)...a superb assortment - $425.00 Total
(Price reflects Wineries S.R.P. less Discounts)
Para for "Para" and Duxx for "Duxx"...Paraduxx
The 2005 Paraduxx will be released November 1st. This Delicious red is
a one-of-a-kind synergistic blend of California's signature Zinfandel
"para" with top quality Cabernet Sauvignon by Duckhorn (Duxx) wineries
estimable enologist Dave Galzignato. Paraduxx can legitimately be
compared to the great and innovative Sangiovese/Cabernet and
Syrah/Cabernet blends of Tuscany and Australia. Every vintage
contains the luscious concoction described above enclosed in a
beautiful and collectable package featuring a unique interpretation of
two Pacific Flyway Quackers. The 2005 version is adorned with the
depiction of two Red-Head Ducks painted by Canadian artist Patrice
Wolput. As usual, the 2005 features a beautiful and colorful
rendering of a Drake and a Hen (pair-a-ducks) cuddled together on a
golden pond.
Duckhorn has long adhered to a policy of releasing their products to
the trade and public simultaneously, hence the wines rarely receive
any press prior to their introduction. The Paraduxx has consistently
enjoyed raves in many of the most respected wine journals in the
country...unfortunately by the time these reviews see the light of
day, this particular pair of Ducks has flown south for the winter.
A year ago we offered you guys the 2004 vintage of Paraduxx. At that
time, all I could provide in terms of reviews were my own notes which
I'd scribbled on a Duckhorn brochure at their annual tasting in the
City and the brief ratings of the 2003 vintage plucked from the
Connoisseur's Guide, Wine Spectator etc. I looked into my murky
crystal ball and predicted that the 2004 vintage would likely garner
unanimous praise from these publications and I'll be damned if I
wasn't right. (Those reviews are provided below). In looking over my
notes from this year's tasting, I can honestly tell you that I believe
the 2005 eclipses that great wine, setting a new high-water-mark for
this particular waterfowl.
*The latest in a string of perennial winners, the Paraduxx can be
criticized by purists for its idiosyncratic Cepage, but it is great
wine by any standard. Very rich from start to finish with a lovely mix
of cherries, ripe berries, cappuccino and cream showing at every turn,
it is long on ripeness but is not plagued by the heat or harshness
that such ripeness so often begets. It is supple yet never soft, and
its superior sense of balance brings high hope for several years of
improvement".
*"92" -Connoisseur's Guide..."Deeply fruited and redolent of ripe
currants, blackberries, briary spice and a wee bit of chocolate,
Paraduxx once again strikes out on its own unique path and comes up
something more than typical Zin. It is full and fleshy with fine
balance and a bit of Cabernet grip and its very deep, genuinely
complex flavors are as long as they are impressively layered. It has
a sense of refinement even if it is a touch tannic on finish, and
there is no question but that it will improve for four or five years".
*"90" California Grapevine...(1st in flight)..."Medium to medium dark
ruby color with purplish tinges; attractive, briary, plummy, dark
currant, black raspberry and black cherry fruit aroma with hints of
vanilla and black pepper; medium-full bodied; well focused, herbal,
briary, plummy, textured, ripe berry fruit flavors with notes of
toasty oak; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Enjoy
to drink now and will continue to develop with a few more years in the
bottle...VERY highly recommended."
*"92"/RC..."One of my favorite wines here, (The San Francisco Duckhorn
tasting is rather generous and consists the entire company portfolio
including the young Cabernets and Merlots (single-vineyard as well as
"Napa"), the single white wine (SB) and the spectacular Anderson
Valley Pinots...the Paraduxx tended to out-perform the much higher
priced Cabernet/Merlot and blends at this particular time due to its
fruit-forward, accessible and more youthful personality...in other
words it stuck out like a sore thumb).
*2005 was an IDEAL growing season which initiated with above average
rainfall. An ideal grape set produced abundant clusters and
exceptional fruit. The lengthy hang-time concluded in early November
with outstanding weather throughout harvest. The Paraduxx Zinfandel
is sourced from such outstanding properties as Korte Ranch and Rector
Creek.
Dave Galzignato's notes: "What really impresses me with the 2005 is
the way the aroma explodes with ripe fruit odors- strawberry,
boysenberry and plum complemented by hints of violets, spice,
wood-smoke and orange peel. The wine is medium-bodied with a chewy
texture, robust yet approachable tannins and a firm, lengthy finish.
Ripe flavors of raspberry, red cherries and boysenberries are balanced
by complex notes of dark chocolate, espresso bean and black licorice."
(You can Yahoogle Dave's tasting video on You-tube or by accessing
Duckhorn's web site)
*The 2005 is composed of 60% Zin, 32% Cabernet, 6% Merlot and 2%
Cabernet Franc...This is a classic pairing of the fruit-forward and
fun-loving nature of Zinfandel along with the grip and somewhat
serious attitude of Cabernet and Merlot...kind of a serendipitous
blind date between Christopher Walken and Zooey Deschanel...if you
will...whatever that means.
"A World Class" blend with a distinctly Californian personality
*100% Napa Valley fruit harvested between September 9th-October 20th.
The wine spent 18 months in oak barrels of which 40% were new.
Galzignato believes that the Paraduxx must "create its own benchmark".
To achieve this, he harvests and barrel ages each lot separately.
Next, individual Cab and Zin blends are made. Once a base blend of
these two varietals is achieved, several trial blends are made using
additional varietals "to see if they enhance the final wine".
Bottled-May, 2007...released November 1st, 2007
The 2005 Duckhorn Paraduxx is (in my humble opinion) the finest to
date. Your collection consists of three sized bottlings, 375, 750 and
1000 MLs'. Plan on tucking the little guys in your Picnic basket,
putting the 750s' in the kitchen rack to pair up with anything from
short-ribs to veggie Pizza and put the big boy in the "cellar" for a
few years to mellow and age. $425.00/Cs after discounts (individual
prices available on request, your price is below wineries suggested
retail)
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