Paloma
Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
A slow build that showed up after 90 minutes in the decanter, the Spring Mountain strength is evident with bold sweet purple fruit, cassis and chewy tannins. Plenty of road ahead.
A slow build that showed up after 90 minutes in the decanter, the Spring Mountain strength is evident with bold sweet purple fruit, cassis and chewy tannins. Plenty of road ahead.
Jan 20th, 2021
Developed, handling its structure and oak very nicely, good integration while still holding onto that deep, plummy merlot fruit.
Developed, handling its structure and oak very nicely, good integration while still holding onto that deep, plummy merlot fruit.
Jul 13th, 2020
Bright fresh raspberry with a back end of dark plum, drinking great.
Bright fresh raspberry with a back end of dark plum, drinking great.
Sep 30th, 2019
Alongside the ‘08 I opened, this had tons of candied red and black fruit! Raspberry gummies, baked blackberry pie, and rhubarb tart. Killer aromatics. Perfumed. Mainly fruit dominated on the palate...fresh squeezed blackberries, ripe plum, currant and a touch of cedar. Will age! Thanks, @Mark Flesher .
Alongside the ‘08 I opened, this had tons of candied red and black fruit! Raspberry gummies, baked blackberry pie, and rhubarb tart. Killer aromatics. Perfumed. Mainly fruit dominated on the palate...fresh squeezed blackberries, ripe plum, currant and a touch of cedar. Will age! Thanks, @Mark Flesher .
Jun 8th, 2019This was my bottle, and it was opened alongside a ‘15 for comparison sake. Aromatics were similar to the ‘15 (red and black fruit) but less candied. More dirty, but not off putting. However, the finish on this was very unique...it turned very umami/earthy/herbal. Maybe an odd phase as it wakes up? Structure was still very solid (as expected for mountain fruit) so this may hold a while...
Almost two hours later: Better with air. Became more dark chocolate covered. Wow. The savory notes have faded and it’s showing a more rich and dark cocoa type finish. Very enjoyable.
This was my bottle, and it was opened alongside a ‘15 for comparison sake. Aromatics were similar to the ‘15 (red and black fruit) but less candied. More dirty, but not off putting. However, the finish on this was very unique...it turned very umami/earthy/herbal. Maybe an odd phase as it wakes up? Structure was still very solid (as expected for mountain fruit) so this may hold a while...
Almost two hours later: Better with air. Became more dark chocolate covered. Wow. The savory notes have faded and it’s showing a more rich and dark cocoa type finish. Very enjoyable.
Time for my #MerlotThursday . Here is a beautiful one from Napa Valley.
Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.
Fruity nose with black currants, blackberries, cherries, vanilla, earth, wood, spices, chocolates, tobacco, graphite, dark coffee and black pepper.
Full bodied and smooth with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet plums, light vegetables, pencil lead, dark coffee, tobacco leaf, earth, herbs, spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with firm tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a great Napa Merlot. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel. Interesting, powerful and bold.
I had this vintage 2 years ago, and loved it just as much.
The 2012 was a great vintage, and it is showing. Would easily be 94+ points in 5 years from now, so this would be a good cellaring candidate.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up.
Had it blind, and it felt like a Napa Syrah, actually.
Thanks DJ for sharing this wonderful wine with me.
Delicious and yummy. I had it all by itself.
14.8% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$60.
Time for my #MerlotThursday . Here is a beautiful one from Napa Valley.
Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.
Fruity nose with black currants, blackberries, cherries, vanilla, earth, wood, spices, chocolates, tobacco, graphite, dark coffee and black pepper.
Full bodied and smooth with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet plums, light vegetables, pencil lead, dark coffee, tobacco leaf, earth, herbs, spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with firm tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a great Napa Merlot. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel. Interesting, powerful and bold.
I had this vintage 2 years ago, and loved it just as much.
The 2012 was a great vintage, and it is showing. Would easily be 94+ points in 5 years from now, so this would be a good cellaring candidate.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up.
Had it blind, and it felt like a Napa Syrah, actually.
Thanks DJ for sharing this wonderful wine with me.
Delicious and yummy. I had it all by itself.
14.8% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$60.
Followed a pretty big cab and held its own. Very fruit forward with flavors of plum, blueberries, vanilla, chocolate and an herbal touch to the finish.
Followed a pretty big cab and held its own. Very fruit forward with flavors of plum, blueberries, vanilla, chocolate and an herbal touch to the finish.
Nov 26th, 2017Always a great merlot and despite being slightly more restrained from their norm, this particular vintage is one of my favorites. Bright and light, big flavors of cherries and raspberries, some Oak and a really nice minerality that I haven’t noticed in prior vintages.
Always a great merlot and despite being slightly more restrained from their norm, this particular vintage is one of my favorites. Bright and light, big flavors of cherries and raspberries, some Oak and a really nice minerality that I haven’t noticed in prior vintages.
Oct 9th, 2017