Birkenhead Pride

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2024

Pale lemon in color.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing citrus, green apples, grapefruits, herbs and earth.

Tangy finish with limes and almonds.

This is a delicious Chardonnay from Napa Valley. Feels very young and fresh. Fruit forward and rich. Nicely balanced with nice complexity.

Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself as a sipping wine.

100% Chardonnay grapes were aged in (10% new) French oak barrels for 9 months.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50.
— 6 hours ago

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Sonoma County/Napa County Cabernet Franc 2023

2023 vintage. Medium body. A clear and firm, not loud, voice. Drinking nicely currently. 4.8.26. — 3 months ago

Dave, Ted and 9 others liked this

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Napa County Merlot 2007

I have a lot of these and most have been ok but this one was further along in its development. Knew I needed to drink these. Faster is the word of the day. — 5 months ago

Dave, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Sonoma County Cabernet Franc 2000

Dark fruit, iodine, red candy and espresso. — 9 months ago

Juan liked this

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

West Bank Golf League Party — 10 months ago

Paloma

Napa Valley Syrah 1997

So, Barbara and Jim Richards (RIP) planted 5 acres back in 1991 (1990?) of Syrah on the northeast (downslope) corner of their Paloma vineyard on Spring Mountain in what visually looked like a “low spot” (partially shaded and also maybe an area that maybe occasionally got standing water back in the days when California got enough rain). The rest of the vineyard was of course Merlot and also some Cabernet Sauvignon used mostly for blending with their fantastic mountain Merlot. The vineyard is just east of Pride Mountain and across the road from what used to be (??) Schweiger Vineyards.

Anyway, Bob Foley, who was making the wines for Pride in those early days, was consulting for Barbara and Jim early on, but I have ZERO information as to what involvement he had with the Syrah, if I recall correctly, the first Syrah in 1995 was less than a barrel (12-15 cases), and was aged in a super OLD, neutral barrel. My Chicago friends, who knew the Richards, dragged me along to taste that fateful day. That 1995 Syrah, first wine they ever made from those young Syrah vines, was, frankly, eye-opening and FANTASTIC, as I told Jim Richards that day. After tasting the INCREDIBLE 1995 Syrah, which was so northern Rhône-like and so pure, I begged Jim to sell me a bottle or two, but he politely declined. Later that day, after tasting the rest of their great wines, as we were leaving, Jim GAVE me a 4-pack box of that 1995 Syrah, which he wouldn’t accept any $$$ for, and that 1995 Syrah still in my memory remains the GREATEST CA Syrah I’ve ever tasted!!

As you can probably tell, I adored Jim and Barbara Richards, amazing people and generous to a fault!! Amazing people!!! I don’t think I ever met their son, Sheldon, but from all accounts he is continuing the tradition of great Paloma wines, though that great Syrah vineyard was pulled out in the early 2000s — Sheldon, if you happen to see this post, I welcome any corrections if I got any details wrong!!

Oh, and this Syrah is pretty dang good as well!!!
— 2 years ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Scott@Mister, John and 7 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

Ira Schwartz Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Doug Powers so enjoyed! Thanks
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Love the story!
Aravind A

Aravind A Premium Badge

This is what great wine is all about.

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot 2023

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black fruits with cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, earth, chocolates, tobacco leaf, vegetables, herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot from Napa Valley. Rich and fruit forward. Elegant and nicely balanced.

Still young, but already showing beautifully, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Complex and interesting.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of 89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in (40% new) French oak barrels for 20 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$72.
— a month ago

Ira, Doug and 12 others liked this

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Reserve Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

2019 vintage. Light-medium body. The prettier side of dirty/earthy. 4.8.26. — 3 months ago

Ted, Paul and 7 others liked this

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Perfect after 11 years. Smooth and lite fruit. Taste of vanilla and berries. Great with our gnocchi with ossobuco — 5 months ago

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Vintner Select Cuvee Sonoma County Merlot

Great red - had with Anaita Pete and Shireen after magic show — a year ago

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Napa County Chardonnay 2021

Fruit but not too much. Maybe pear. Very smooth and long finish. A delicious wine and will age. — 4 years ago

Shay, Tom and 5 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Nice! Trying to finalize a wine dinner with Pride Mountain in March. Everything they make is top-notch, unique and great QPR.

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Napa Valley Reserve Claret 2017

Simply delicious. Wonderful cab aroma. I prefer claret . This is a gem. Lingering dark fruit, well balanced . I’m not sharing! — 5 years ago

Tom, Jason and 11 others liked this

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Mountain Top Vineyard Merlot 2023

What a great tasting Merlot! — a month ago

Renee Kemmer
with Renee

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Sonoma County - Napa County Viognier 2025

2025 vintage. Medium body without being unctuous. Florals. Stone fruit. Minerals. A little crispy and clean but definitely a good time. Picked some up in both 750ml’s and 375ml’s (!!!!!). 4.8.26. — 3 months ago

Ted, Paul and 8 others liked this

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Sonoma County Syrah 2023

2023 vintage. Light-medium/medium body. On the more feminine side of Syrah. 4.8.26. — 3 months ago

Ted, Paul and 8 others liked this

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Sonoma County/Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Paul J
9.6

1hr+ decant. Dark red color with some garnet. Very similar to the Continuum from the prior night. Great fruit integrated with sweetness and cedar. Juicy wine, with nice depth and medium finish. — 5 months ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Andrew, Tom and 6 others liked this

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Sonoma County Merlot 2006

Still performing well. — a year ago

Shay, Bob and 7 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Looks like Delectable called it wrong
Norman

Norman Premium Badge

Missed that @Dave Clinton thanks.

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon

What you expect. Saturated dark fruit, med tannins, chocolate, cherries — 3 years ago

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Vintner Select Cuvee Sonoma County Merlot 2020

Deep color. Took hour to open up and was delicious and well balanced . Hints of dark chocolate. DaRk berries.long finish. I’m a fan! — 4 years ago

Tom, Skip and 6 others liked this