REVIEWS
“We thought it would be interesting for you to see all the reviews that we are aware of, not just the good ones. So here they are, the good, the bad and the ugly. If you see any others, please send them to us. The reviews are unedited, if they make a mistake, we leave it in”. – Barbara and Jim Richards
CURRENT REVIEWS
2004 Wines
Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s
The WINE ADVOCATE
December 26, 2006
Issue 168
PALOMA 2004 MERLOT NAPA ($50.00)
Score: 91
Review:
A big, sweet perfume of chocolate fudge, toffee, caramel, black cherry, and
coffee beans jump from the glass of this flamboyant, exotic, plush Merlot.
Medium to full-bodied with low acidity and ripe tannin, it represents a hedonistic
blast of fruit, glycerin and soft tannins. Enjoy over the next 7-8 years.
Tel. And Fax (707) 963-7504
WINE SPECTATOR
Wine: 2004 Paloma Merlot Spring Mountain District
November 30, 2006
Rating: 93
Price: $54
Review:
A supple, graceful style. Complex aromas of red currant, plum and black cherry
carry over to the palate, offering depth, richness and layers of flavors that
unfold gradually. Tightly wound now, with firm but ripe tannins. keeps revealing
subtle flavor nuances, with hints of mineral, sage and dusty berry. Best from
2008 through 2013. 1,135 cases made. —James Laube
2003 Wines
Robert M. Parker,
Jr.'s
The WINE ADVOCATE
December 26, 2005
Issue 162
PALOMA 2003 MERLOT NAPA ($55.00)
Score: 89
Review:
An elegant, soft, velvety example of Paloma, with deep ruby/purple-tinged
color, attractive notes of caramel, mocha, sweet cherry and berry fruit, this
2003 Merlot is round and medium-bodied with no hard edges. Drink it over the
next 5-6 years. Tel. And Fax (707) 963-7504
WINE SPECTATOR
Wine: 2003 Paloma Merlot Spring Mountain District
December 15, 2005
Rating: 90
Price: $51
Review:
Impeccably balanced, with rich, vibrant, intense currant, fresh earth, black
cherry and blackberry fruit that’s well focused. The tannins and cedary
nutmeg-laced oak add a firm edge on the finish. Best to cellar short-term
or decant. Drink now though 2001. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,930
cases made. —James Laube
2002 Wines
Connoisseurs'
Guide to California Wine
March 2005, Merlot pg. 81
PALOMA
2002 Merlot-Spring Mountain District Napa Valley
Score: 93, Two
Puffs
Review:
Here is a tight but delicious Merlot whose mountain-side grapes have contributed
a level of sinew not often seen in the variety. Its aromas start off with
expected notes of ripe red cherries before picking up more concentrated suggestions
of currants and black cherries. In the mouth, it currently shows less of Merlot's
early juiciness and, instead, relies on the depth of its still nascent fruit
as the convincing offset to its blanket of youthful tannins. This one will
reward cellaring.
Robert M. Parker,
Jr.'s
The WINE ADVOCATE
February 28, 2005
Issue 157
PALOMA 2002 MERLOT NAPA ($50.00)
Score: 90
PALOMA 2002 SYRAH NAPA ($45.00)
Score: 90
Review(s):
Paloma's 2002 Merlot is a worthy successor to their brilliant 2001, but it
is not as rich, complex, or deep as the latter vintage. The dense ruby/purple-tinged
2002 possesses lovely aromas of chocolate-infused coffee intermixed with berry
and currant fruit. This lush, medium to full-bodied Merlot is ideal for drinking
now and over the next 7-8 years.
Even better is the 2002 Syrah (which I believe will be the final vintage of
this cuvee). It boasts an inky/purple color in addition to a big, sweet nose
of blackberries, licorice, currants, and smoke. Opulently-textured, ripe,
and hedonistic, this is a Syrah to enjoy over the next 5-7 years.
WINE
SPECTATOR
Wine: 2002 Paloma Merlot Spring Mountain District
December 31, 2004
Rating:
93
Price: $51
Review:
Jim and Barbara Richards follow their stunning 2001 (Wine Spectator’s
Wine of the Year in 2003) with this complex, elegant 2002 from their 15-acre
vineyard on a steep ridge on Spring Mountain in western Napa Valley. It includes
17 percent of estate cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged in a combination
of new and used French oak barrels for 19 months before release. 1,650 cases
made. —James Suckling.
WINE
SPECTATOR WEEKLY
Wine:2002
Paloma Syrah Spring Mountain District
Closing date: September 23, 2004
Rating: 93
Price: $42
Review:
This wine quickly accelerates, with smooth, rich wild berry, sage, mocha,
espresso bean and minerally flavors that are dense and concentrated, showing
but a glimpse of what lies ahead as it sails on, relying on its fruit character
to carry the long, rich finish. Best from 2005 through 2012.
From California.— J.L.
WINE
SPECTATOR
Wine:2002
Paloma Merlot Spring Mountain District
Closing date: September 2004
Rating: 93
Price: $51
Review:
A delicious Merlot that's a worthy successor to the stellar '01. Ripe, rich,
juicy and polished, with layers of currant, black cherry and plum that are
deeply concentrated, elegant and lively. A light overlay of toasty, mocha-scented
oak adds another flavor dimension, and the flavors linger on a long, zesty
aftertaste. Drink now through 2009. 1,650 cases made. From California.—J.L
2001 Wines
WINE
SPECTATOR
Wine:2001
Paloma Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District
Closing date: March 31, 2004
Rating: 95
Price: $45
Review:
A deep, intensely concentrated style, packed with layers of opulent spice,
currant, blackberry, mineral and expresso that keep unfolding, revealing new
flavor facets by the second. Holds a tight focus, with firm but rounded tannins,
exhibiting kirschlike cherry aftertaste. Best from 2005 through 2013. 70 cases
made. — J.L.
WINE SPECTATOR
Wine: 2001 Paloma Merlot, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley
WINE OF THE YEAR
Wine Spectator Editors Select the Most Exciting Wines of 2003
Rating: 95
Price: $45 California
Review:
By JAMES LAUBE
In the outstanding 2001 vintage, Paloma sets a new benchmark for California
Merlots. Jim and Barbara Richards prove what can be accomplished by this classic
grape variety when planted in a unique site high above the Napa Valley. Our
highest-rated California merlot ever is also an exceptional value at $45 a
bottle, holding the line in market glutted with high priced wines. (Click
here for entire article)
ROBERT
M. PARKER, JR'S THE WINE ADVOCATE
Wine: 2001 Paloma Merlot, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley
Closing Date: 12-23-03,Issue 150
Score: 94
Recommended New Releases – Northern California
A spectacular Merlot from proprietor Jim Richards, Paloma’s full-bodied
2001 offers up a gorgeous display of black currant and mocha-infused fruit
that cuts a large swath across the palate. Unctuously textured, with no hard
edges, gorgeous aromatics, and loads of fruit, it will provide immense enjoyment
over the next 7 – 8 years. P.S. This is the Wine Spectator’s wine
of the year for 2003. Tel. (707) 963-7504
NEWSWEEK ARTICLE
Wine: 2001 Paloma Merlot, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley
WINE SPECTATOR WEEKLY-INTERNET EDITION
Wine: 2001 Paloma Merlot, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley
Date: October 23, 2003
Score: 95
points
Price: $45 / 2,510 cases made
Review:
“This week’s issue circles the globe to bring you top wines and
great values. Fans of French grape varieties will find winners made in the
United States and Australia from Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah. In German Riesling,
senior editor Bruce Sanderson is Excited about the 2002 Kabinets, finding
outstanding whites from all of the country’s major wine regions. Those
looking for excellent values can depend on Chili’s expanding and improving
Odfjell winery, profiled by lead taster of the South American wines by James
Molesworth. And don’t miss our Hot Wines, on page 4.” (below)
Hot Wines
These are the most exciting discoveries from our editor’s most recent
tastings, published exclusively in the Wine Spectator Weekly. They are high-scoring,
low production wines from around the world that may be difficult to find,
but are worth seeking out.
A magnificent Merlot – about as good as it gets from California (or
anywhere else), with gorgeous fruit that’s ripe, rich and distinctive,
with a bounty of complex flavors, rangin from enticing black cherry, currant,
blackberry, spice and finishing with a smooth chocolate aftertaste. Run, don’t
walk for this one! Drink now through 2012. From California. –J.L.
James Laube Senior editor, Napa
Joined Wine Spectator in 1983. Tasting beat: California
Wine Spectator’s 100-Point Scale
95-100 Classic
90-94 Outstanding
85-89 Very Good
70-79 Average
50-69 Not Recommended
CONNOISSEURS’
GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA WINE
Wine: 2001 Paloma Merlot, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley
Reviewed: November 2003
Rating: 91, Two Puffs
15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Review:
“This big, bold, distinctly chocolately Merlot offers a quintessential
look at California ripeness and will never be mistaken for a mannerly “claret”,
but its mouthfilling fruit and compelling oak sweetness add up to an opulent
wine that is easy to like. While plush and fleshy, it finds a welcome bit
of firming tannin as it progresses, and its trim of finishing heat is virtually
inconsequential as its wealth of fruit extracts beautifully buffers its ample
alcohols.”
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