Gamble Family Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) 2017

 After being a grape grower before starting his own family brand a few years back, Tom Gamble appears to be taking the path paved by Cakebread, Duckhorn, Silver Oak and Caymus, among others, in both upgrading it an expanding it considerably.  A few years ago, he launched the Paramount red blend brand and has currently in release both the 2017 and 2018 vintages.  The blend is almost a third each of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a smattering of Petit Verdot.  The 2017 is elegantly lean, not an edgy lean, and has a very floral and airy finish with flavors of cassis, raspberry and blackberry with some baking spices mixed in and with moderate tannins.