Donelan

Richards Family Vineyard Syrah 2008

9.4

Beautiful high alcohol warm-climate Syrah. Fruity and jammy. Blueberry followed by a spicy finish. Great with Chinese beef and peppers. — a month ago

Tom liked this

West Sandy Creek Winery

Richards Sweet Blanc Du Bois

Ashlyn Fleener

9.5

Very smooth, a sour apple taste, and full bodied! — 5 years ago

Highway 12 Winery

Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Nora Scheller

9.2

Great cab for ~$15! Bought at Richards Fine Wines and Liquors. — 6 years ago

Milagro

Napa Valley Syrah 1996

Doug Powers

9.4

Lovely older Syrah fruit, plums mostly, also some pine notes, first commercial vintage of the Paloma Syrah (and only one labeled Milagro, a legal issue), medium-long finish, neutral oak, love it!! A tribute to the greatness of Barbara and Jim Richards!! — 6 years ago

Ira liked this

Paloma

Napa Valley Syrah 1997

Doug Powers

9.3

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!!! — a day ago