Paloma
Napa Valley Syrah
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA
One thing the pandemic has provided is the opportunity to organize the collection . I was shocked when I found this, the last bottle of 6 purchased on release. I was very happy when the well preserved cork came out with zero issues. A subdued nose of leather,plum and old furniture. Restrained fruit on the palate but some satisfying spice, and herbal notes that were swimming in a wave of acidity. No doubt the acidity was the life saving backbone for this bottle. I must be honest sentimentality added a point or two to my score.
A visit to Paloma and then off to Pride was one of the highlights of my early wine years.
One thing the pandemic has provided is the opportunity to organize the collection . I was shocked when I found this, the last bottle of 6 purchased on release. I was very happy when the well preserved cork came out with zero issues. A subdued nose of leather,plum and old furniture. Restrained fruit on the palate but some satisfying spice, and herbal notes that were swimming in a wave of acidity. No doubt the acidity was the life saving backbone for this bottle. I must be honest sentimentality added a point or two to my score.
A visit to Paloma and then off to Pride was one of the highlights of my early wine years.
Aging well. In memory of Barbara.
Aging well. In memory of Barbara.
Jun 5th, 2016
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!!!
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!!!
This vintage of the Syrah has always shown more of a new oak influence than the earlier vintages of this Syrah, still very good.
This vintage of the Syrah has always shown more of a new oak influence than the earlier vintages of this Syrah, still very good.
Jan 12th, 2024Shows just a touch of oak, lovely dark fruits, nice balance, medium-long finish, less alcohol shows on this one, though it’s the same as the Amphora.
Shows just a touch of oak, lovely dark fruits, nice balance, medium-long finish, less alcohol shows on this one, though it’s the same as the Amphora.
May 14th, 2022New oak dominates initially, rich, ripe Syrah, good balance, medium-full, very good, I SO miss Barbara and Jim!!
New oak dominates initially, rich, ripe Syrah, good balance, medium-full, very good, I SO miss Barbara and Jim!!
Nov 20th, 2021Nice wine, somewhat sweet, and trace of tannins!
Nice wine, somewhat sweet, and trace of tannins!
Aug 8th, 2021I love the rich Syrah fruit, just a tad too much oak for me, but awfully fine mountain Syrah, holding nicely!!
I love the rich Syrah fruit, just a tad too much oak for me, but awfully fine mountain Syrah, holding nicely!!
Oct 29th, 2020Dark ruby-purple color, this shows too much oak for my taste, both aromatically and on the palate, definitely a departure from the earliest versions of this lovely mountain-grown Syrah (1995 home version was fantastic), kudos to Jim and Barbara Richards (sure miss them)!
Dark ruby-purple color, this shows too much oak for my taste, both aromatically and on the palate, definitely a departure from the earliest versions of this lovely mountain-grown Syrah (1995 home version was fantastic), kudos to Jim and Barbara Richards (sure miss them)!
Apr 7th, 2020
Not sure where all the bad scores come from but this was quite nice. Good color, medium acidity, long finish. Very well done wine. Probably has a few more years left
Not sure where all the bad scores come from but this was quite nice. Good color, medium acidity, long finish. Very well done wine. Probably has a few more years left
Jan 4th, 2019