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
Beautiful Syrah from Spring Mountain, savoury aromas and flavors, very French-like if served blind, still has lots of primary redfruits showing, tannins have largely receded, from a partially-shaded 5-acre portion at the bottom of the Paloma vineyard, long finish, I believe the Syrah vines were planted in 1992 and pulled out after the 2001/2002(?) vintage, Barbara and Jim Richards said the farming was more difficult than the Merlot (and smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon) that Paloma is known for and thus they elected to replant (graft? Not sure) more of the other varieties into that plot. While the first vintage of the Syrah (1995) was never commercially released (12 cases produced from 3 year old vines), Jim was kind enough to send me home with 4 bottles, that wine was the best Syrah to EVER come off that vineyard, I was forever in his debt, it was AMAZING. I miss Barbara and Jim, some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in the wine business (I’m NOT in the business myself)!!
Beautiful Syrah from Spring Mountain, savoury aromas and flavors, very French-like if served blind, still has lots of primary redfruits showing, tannins have largely receded, from a partially-shaded 5-acre portion at the bottom of the Paloma vineyard, long finish, I believe the Syrah vines were planted in 1992 and pulled out after the 2001/2002(?) vintage, Barbara and Jim Richards said the farming was more difficult than the Merlot (and smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon) that Paloma is known for and thus they elected to replant (graft? Not sure) more of the other varieties into that plot. While the first vintage of the Syrah (1995) was never commercially released (12 cases produced from 3 year old vines), Jim was kind enough to send me home with 4 bottles, that wine was the best Syrah to EVER come off that vineyard, I was forever in his debt, it was AMAZING. I miss Barbara and Jim, some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in the wine business (I’m NOT in the business myself)!!
Aug 24th, 2025Black fruits, definite oak influence, this is still on the upswing, nice balance and depth, lingering finish, really a lovely mountain Syrah!!
Black fruits, definite oak influence, this is still on the upswing, nice balance and depth, lingering finish, really a lovely mountain Syrah!!
Mar 12th, 2025So, 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, 2020