4th Saturday Brown Bagger (EBCC): Blind. Faded garnet color with some bricking. Tobacco, earth, currants and licorice notes. Medium-bodied and fully-integrated, showing black fruit and spice flavors. Picks up a molasses quality as it breathes in the glass. WOTF for a few of the group. I did not pick this out as our Paloma. 92-93 pts.
A terrific showing, having been gently double decanted off its sediment and placed back under cork 2.25 hours before the flight was poured. This took another 10-15 minutes in the glass to really hit its stride.
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Opaque cherry red. Cherries and blueberries on the nose. Plush but still well defined on the palate, cherries, plums, bit of tobacco, anise. Fine tannins, nice acidity and balance. A slight hard edge on the mid-palate softens beautifully with a bit of air. Some warm spice as it crosses the palate. Finishes long with plums and black pepper. Becomes more red-fruited with air. Has held up remarkably and should still drink well for a couple of years, but I wouldn't wait.
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Black cherry, cassis, plum, forest floor, loam, and a nice beam of raspberry on the nose. Tart cherry, black cherry, plum, earth, herbs, and some barrel notes on the palate. Tart, stirring acidity, integrated tannin, longish finish, med-full body. This is big and fruity, but the acidity really keeps it in check. It almost resembles a big Cali pinot as much as a merlot. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable.
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The Empire Strikes Back! I take back everything said in our last bottle notes in Sep/2016. This bottle was in beautiful condition in the best Paloma style. Dark red color, black fruit aromas immediately upon opening. Dense ripe black cherry, black current, fruit, a hint of chocolate all in perfect balance with a very long finish. Hope our next (and last bottle of 1999) is as good as this one.
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Second Sunday Group: Paloma Merlot Vertical (Our house): Cherry and chocolate notes. Flavors of cherry, currants and plum with a long finish. Takes on a somewhat greenish Cab Franc-like quality as it sits, which I rather enjoy.
My #3, Domino's #7 Group #6, 47 pts
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Agree with Schwarzer Hund down below - not techically off in any way and still quite drinkable but almost all the fruit is gone leaving acid and some interesting secondary and tertiary flavors - pretty far over the hill and given how really good the Paloma merlots generally are at this point of maturation this wine is a mere shadow of it's former self. Still paired pretty reasonably with steak but lacked the anticipated punch - the food actually improved the wine some. Hard to recommend this wine at this point - probably rated 90 - 91 even 2-3 years ago. Do not wait to drink up further holdings - rapidly becoming more of a cooking then drinking wine.
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The 1999 is still a decent wine. Dark red color, dark berry fruit aromas, medium weight but the fruit seems to be fading out now. It may be just this bottle since it is unusual for a Paloma merlot. The 1996 vintage is great shape still.
Mind blowing bouquet; filled the kitchen with black fruit, dark plums. Very exciting Miles would have held this up as an example of the worst of merlot. Crazily rich, heavy, and a fruit bomb, not to my liking, at all. You could drink this stuff with a fork.
Quick story: I had this wine in my backpack along with a pinot noir, and walked by Paul Giamatti in Brooklyn Heights. The thought crossed my mind to have him sign the pinot noir and warn against the merlot. It would have been perfect, given the pinot was the 2005 St. Innocent. I respected Giamatti's privacy, this time.
2 on the AF scale.
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Opened by Allred at Anvil Club. I thought this wine morphed during the evening. Initially loads of chocolate and very fruit forward. During the evening, it developed the herbal qualities that Allred referenced in his note, also becoming more Bordeaux like. No surprise, I preferred it upon initial opening.
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A well-stored bottle, opened just before dinner. Not decanted though could have used it. Inky crimson color, opaque nearly to the meniscus. Aromas of cherry, chocolate, plum, blackberries and mint. Medium- to full-bodied, with flavors of mint, grilled herbs, chocolate-covered cherries and dark fruit. Still youthful, with some tannin to resolve. Developed an old world earthy quality as well. An excellent showing for this wine and should last a good while yet. 93 pts for me, 93-94 for Domino.
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Huet, Paloma, Guiraud: Opened for air for a few hours. Once we started drinking, it still got better all night long. OMG, what a nose. Deep, earthy, complex layered earth, dark cherries, burnt wood. On the palate, this took a bit longer to get going, but then it was fantastic. Layered with dark cherries and earthiness. Actually, very right bank like. Ever so slightly on the thin side, if I had to nit pick. Really went well with food though.
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Wonderful merlot, round with terrific balance. Deep purple, cherries, blackberries ..wonderful fruit up front, but good backbone and long finish. At its prime but no hurry..this will last for another 5 yrs easily
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drinking perfectly, still concentrated with refined tannins and a youthful vibrant feel of rich raspberries, cherries, black pepper but revealing that distinctive paloma touch of dark chocolate powder on the finish with a nice tinge of acid to compliment dinner of softshell crab, squab, and lamb - fantastic!
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Gorgeous deep maroon with slight hints of brown in the glass. Showing some nice signs of age around the rim. Nose is bursting of dark cherries, laether, barnyard and some awesome dark chocolate on the back end. Palate shows more of the above. Tastes like a horse saddle was taken from a barn and covered in ripe cherries and dark cocoa powder...now lick it! That's what I am getting on the palate. Finish shows very nice balance with lively acidity and extremely well integrated tannin structure. Drink this now. Singing beautifully.
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Chocolate and cherries on the nose, slight vegetable quality. Palate is smooth with integrated tannins. Not my favorite vintage of Paloma but still good.
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Some initial off or funk on the wine when first opened but after abotu 2 hrs this really came around. Classic fruit concentration and Paloma chocolate notes, but it what seems a slightly more structured style. This is still holding up pretty well.
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Did not decant but the second glass opened up considerably, would decant if I had another bottle. Currant, raspberry fruit, almost Zin-like with a very tangy pepper nose and finish. Lovely wine, has not lost anything with age. Fully integrated, Tannins still present but not overpowering.
I would think this Merlot is at it's peak but I did not detect any downside.
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black and red currants and a bit of weird funkiness on the nose. Can't tell if this bottle is a little off or this is what an aged Paloma Merlot is like. Very different from some of the 01-04 Palomas I have had. Corked? poor storage? heat damaged? not sure, but there is something off about this bottle
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Not decated. Chocolate, tobacco and dark bery dominated the nose and palate. Tannins in check despite no aeration. A touch of oak but not distracting. A typical paloma with some age - a great wine at its peak. I do not see any firther development but I do not invision a rapid decline. I would recommend drinking over next 1 -2 years.
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Allred opened this at a recent offline. Very different than what these taste like young. Perhaps they just made this wine differently back then. I did not take extensive notes but this is a very smooth wine and is drinking very well. Great match with the medium rare tenderloin LostVerse cooked. 92 points.
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Decanted briefly for sediment. Notes of dark fruit and plums. Sweet dark fruit, plum and chocolate flavors. Nice lengthy finish. More fruity than the '97, which makes it a bit better on its own. My preference is for the 1997, but just barely.
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Chicago Wine Geeks taste Merlot (Chicago, IL): Dark ruby with a killer nose of dark fruits, chocolate, herbs, smoke with a touch toasty vanilla nuance. Palate has great concentration and vibrancy of fruit. Savoury tannins provide texture and balance. Seamless and long. Powerful and elegant. My WOTN, group's WOTN.
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Purple/black. User-friendly nose of sweet casis, dark chocolate. Sweet but short finish, soft tannins. After-taste is a bit harsh. Still, easy drinking.
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as soon as i tasted this tannic beast, i splash decanted it. about a 1/2 hour later, the wine was just terrible. i likened the finish to 'tussin. i was going to use it to treat my papilloma virus. but, i digress.
over an hour after the decanting, the wine blossomed, and i had put in a call to my family physician about the other.
the wine has a long life ahead of it. i hadn't had any paloma for some time, so i thought it would be fun to investigate this vintage. i did have this in january, the only merlot thrown in with 29 other cabs. this producer has much to recommend it. the wine is full bodied for a merlot, and has super structure and balance.
i've dropped off the list for personal reasons, but that won't compromise my objective belief that this is the highest standard of napa merlot. well done, and recommended.
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Bob Foley Wine Tasting Results (My Home): Tasted Blind Rustic nose of barnyard with ripe pleasant blackberry fruits provided a puzzling aroma. On the palate, soft entry with flavors of chocolate and rich dark berries that lead to a satisfying finish. A seamless wine with notes of drier fruits indicating some older qualities not found in younger wines. My guess was Merlot with a touch of age and I was right.
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A typical Paloma Merlot nose showing plum and spicy dark chocolate and vanilla notes. Not a large-scaled wine in the mold of the more recent releases, and lacking the build that characterizes the 1999 vintage. Still, an enjoyable wine, especially for fans of this style, which it does remain true to.
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This wine actually seems quite out of balance. Alcohol is obtrusive with a woody and tarry quality. Drank the remainder the next day and there was no improvement; actually just more of the same. Quite a disappointing showing, glad it was my only bottle.
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Long Island Wine's VS. The World... Who was the winner? You will be surpriced (Paumanok Vineyards, North Fork, Long Island, New York): I picked this blind amongst the reds, as it possessed an opaque purple hue that looks like it would glow under a black light. It's big beastly almost Aussie style was clearly out of place amongst it's childish siblings. This is a freak show Merlot with gobs of big fat black fruit and sticky tar like qualities. The tannins are sweet and the oak is bold. It grabs you by the shirt and holds you on the 15+ finish.
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My least favorite bottle so far - way too much tar with a sickly sweet note intermingled. Plenty of tannin, so these should wait at least another year or two.
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N - The nose is tar, licorice, earth, dark fruit, Chambord, toast.
P - Medium to full bodied, lots of mineral w/ a touch of acidity that leads into a medium length, smooth round finish of coffee, chocolate covered cherries, blackberries, and caramel.
On day 2 the wine was virtually unchanged. This wine should have many years of enjoyable drinking ahead and it is a damn fine wine today. One of the top 3 CA merlots I have ever had and look forward to trying the '01 version in 2-3 years.
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even though i've been on the mailing list since the 97 vintage, it had been a while since i had opened one. this was my first taste of the 99.
a tannic beast. my first impression was that it had been a mistake to open. i quickly decided to decant, and see what the night would bring. good move. 30 minutes later the wine was at least budging, and it just kept opening up over almost 4 hours.
powerful merlot. i know they blend in some cab, and the added structure is readily evident. tannins are still present, but the fruit integrates nicely, and smooths out the mid palate rather well. chocolate, mocha, blackberry. it's a classic california merlot with enough oak to possibly scare off the truly oak intolerant. but i found the wine to be delicious. my wife drank more than her share which i found interesting. her all time favorite red is rudd jericho canyon. however, she was very partial to this wine.
for the points-a-philes, i would score this 92. another year or two of bottle age is going to beef this up. it's a nice wine to savor for the future. boy, the 01 is probably going to be chunky.
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Rareshides tasting at Maguire's: Deep red fruit. Mocha. Rich smelling. Eucalyptus. Nice. Balanced, big, but still has a pleasant softness on the palate.
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Yeast, raspberry, whisky barrel – rich, with a texture that reminds me of the Amarone. Tannins. Tasted again later, this seemed heavily dominated by the oak. Tasted day two it opened up again with lots of caramel, toasted oak, soy, graphite. Inky. Scary-big Merlot. Bit surprised it wasn’t showing more fruit.
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2/24/2024 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (EBCC): Blind. Faded garnet color with some bricking. Tobacco, earth, currants and licorice notes. Medium-bodied and fully-integrated, showing black fruit and spice flavors. Picks up a molasses quality as it breathes in the glass. WOTF for a few of the group. I did not pick this out as our Paloma. 92-93 pts.
A terrific showing, having been gently double decanted off its sediment and placed back under cork 2.25 hours before the flight was poured. This took another 10-15 minutes in the glass to really hit its stride.
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5/5/2023 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opaque cherry red. Cherries and blueberries on the nose. Plush but still well defined on the palate, cherries, plums, bit of tobacco, anise. Fine tannins, nice acidity and balance. A slight hard edge on the mid-palate softens beautifully with a bit of air. Some warm spice as it crosses the palate. Finishes long with plums and black pepper. Becomes more red-fruited with air. Has held up remarkably and should still drink well for a couple of years, but I wouldn't wait.
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1/23/2022 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious. Many years of life ahead of it if stored properly from release. Wish I had bought cases of it. Tons of sediment.
Tannins fully resolved. Beautiful back end that sneaks up on you and says hey pay attention, I’m really good. Very nice wine.
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1/4/2019 - ipp Likes this wine: 91 Points
aged well. but on the back end of the slope. good time to finish last bottle. Thanks Mrs. Richards.
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11/18/2018 - rmh66 wrote: 92 Points
Black cherry, cassis, plum, forest floor, loam, and a nice beam of raspberry on the nose. Tart cherry, black cherry, plum, earth, herbs, and some barrel notes on the palate. Tart, stirring acidity, integrated tannin, longish finish, med-full body. This is big and fruity, but the acidity really keeps it in check. It almost resembles a big Cali pinot as much as a merlot. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable.
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6/7/2018 - Frijole wrote:
deep dark burgundy red, cloudy, little clarity, amber hue
Nose: plum, raspberry, silver, wet earth, cigar, tobacco, dirt, chocolate, clove, oak
Pal: plum, raspberry, cases, silver, wet earth, cigar, tobacco, dirt, dark chocolate, clove, green pepper, minerals, oak, touch complexity
Feel: full, medium, savory, acidic
Finish: long
T9
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2/3/2017 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:
The Empire Strikes Back! I take back everything said in our last bottle notes in Sep/2016. This bottle was in beautiful condition in the best Paloma style. Dark red color, black fruit aromas immediately upon opening. Dense ripe black cherry, black current, fruit, a hint of chocolate all in perfect balance with a very long finish. Hope our next (and last bottle of 1999) is as good as this one.
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11/13/2016 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Second Sunday Group: Paloma Merlot Vertical (Our house): Cherry and chocolate notes. Flavors of cherry, currants and plum with a long finish. Takes on a somewhat greenish Cab Franc-like quality as it sits, which I rather enjoy.
My #3, Domino's #7
Group #6, 47 pts
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10/29/2016 - ikkaariainen wrote: 88 Points
Agree with Schwarzer Hund down below - not techically off in any way and still quite drinkable but almost all the fruit is gone leaving acid and some interesting secondary and tertiary flavors - pretty far over the hill and given how really good the Paloma merlots generally are at this point of maturation this wine is a mere shadow of it's former self. Still paired pretty reasonably with steak but lacked the anticipated punch - the food actually improved the wine some. Hard to recommend this wine at this point - probably rated 90 - 91 even 2-3 years ago. Do not wait to drink up further holdings - rapidly becoming more of a cooking then drinking wine.
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9/8/2016 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:
The 1999 is still a decent wine. Dark red color, dark berry fruit aromas, medium weight but the fruit seems to be fading out now. It may be just this bottle since it is unusual for a Paloma merlot. The 1996 vintage is great shape still.
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8/8/2014 - Dgames wrote: 91 Points
Very good. Sad it was my last one.
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1/15/2013 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 79 Points
Mind blowing bouquet; filled the kitchen with black fruit, dark plums. Very exciting
Miles would have held this up as an example of the worst of merlot. Crazily rich, heavy, and a fruit bomb, not to my liking, at all. You could drink this stuff with a fork.
Quick story: I had this wine in my backpack along with a pinot noir, and walked by Paul Giamatti in Brooklyn Heights. The thought crossed my mind to have him sign the pinot noir and warn against the merlot. It would have been perfect, given the pinot was the 2005 St. Innocent. I respected Giamatti's privacy, this time.
2 on the AF scale.
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10/3/2012 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Opened by Allred at Anvil Club. I thought this wine morphed during the evening. Initially loads of chocolate and very fruit forward. During the evening, it developed the herbal qualities that Allred referenced in his note, also becoming more Bordeaux like. No surprise, I preferred it upon initial opening.
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10/3/2012 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
A well-stored bottle, opened just before dinner. Not decanted though could have used it. Inky crimson color, opaque nearly to the meniscus. Aromas of cherry, chocolate, plum, blackberries and mint. Medium- to full-bodied, with flavors of mint, grilled herbs, chocolate-covered cherries and dark fruit. Still youthful, with some tannin to resolve. Developed an old world earthy quality as well. An excellent showing for this wine and should last a good while yet. 93 pts for me, 93-94 for Domino.
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7/29/2011 - S. Lorin wrote: 93 Points
Similar to previous tasting note - well stored and it showed!
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3/25/2011 - cpdwines wrote: 90 Points
Paloma is one of my favorites. However, start drinking the older bottles, as their time seems to be hitting their peak.
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1/2/2011 - GR8PNUT wrote: 90 Points
Excellent
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9/15/2010 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 93 Points
Huet, Paloma, Guiraud: Opened for air for a few hours. Once we started drinking, it still got better all night long. OMG, what a nose. Deep, earthy, complex layered earth, dark cherries, burnt wood. On the palate, this took a bit longer to get going, but then it was fantastic. Layered with dark cherries and earthiness. Actually, very right bank like. Ever so slightly on the thin side, if I had to nit pick. Really went well with food though.
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8/2/2010 - 1800kidney wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful merlot, round with terrific balance. Deep purple, cherries, blackberries ..wonderful fruit up front, but good backbone and long finish. At its prime but no hurry..this will last for another 5 yrs easily
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5/1/2010 - S. Lorin wrote: 94 Points
drinking perfectly, still concentrated with refined tannins and a youthful vibrant feel of rich raspberries, cherries, black pepper but revealing that distinctive paloma touch of dark chocolate powder on the finish with a nice tinge of acid to compliment dinner of softshell crab, squab, and lamb - fantastic!
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8/29/2009 - bambam wrote: 91 Points
This bottle was better than the last. Soft cherries and chocolate. Smooth texture. Enjoyed.
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5/25/2009 - beezer6 wrote: 93 Points
Gorgeous deep maroon with slight hints of brown in the glass. Showing some nice signs of age around the rim.
Nose is bursting of dark cherries, laether, barnyard and some awesome dark chocolate on the back end.
Palate shows more of the above. Tastes like a horse saddle was taken from a barn and covered in ripe cherries and dark cocoa powder...now lick it! That's what I am getting on the palate.
Finish shows very nice balance with lively acidity and extremely well integrated tannin structure. Drink this now. Singing beautifully.
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2/19/2009 - bambam wrote: 90 Points
Chocolate and cherries on the nose, slight vegetable quality. Palate is smooth with integrated tannins. Not my favorite vintage of Paloma but still good.
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12/27/2008 - Ekoostik wrote: 90 Points
Some initial off or funk on the wine when first opened but after abotu 2 hrs this really came around. Classic fruit concentration and Paloma chocolate notes, but it what seems a slightly more structured style. This is still holding up pretty well.
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2/16/2008 - dtirsell wrote: 92 Points
Did not decant but the second glass opened up considerably, would decant if I had another bottle. Currant, raspberry fruit, almost Zin-like with a very tangy pepper nose and finish. Lovely wine, has not lost anything with age. Fully integrated, Tannins still present but not overpowering.
I would think this Merlot is at it's peak but I did not detect any downside.
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12/7/2007 - texaswino wrote: flawed
decanted to remove sediment
black and red currants and a bit of weird funkiness on the nose. Can't tell if
this bottle is a little off or this is what an aged Paloma Merlot is like. Very different from some of the 01-04 Palomas I have had.
Corked? poor storage? heat damaged? not sure, but there is something off about this bottle
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6/8/2007 - Afrazer wrote: 94 Points
Not decated. Chocolate, tobacco and dark bery dominated the nose and palate. Tannins in check despite no aeration. A touch of oak but not distracting. A typical paloma with some age - a great wine at its peak. I do not see any firther development but I do not invision a rapid decline. I would recommend drinking over next 1 -2 years.
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4/22/2007 - RussW wrote:
This bottle is drinking at peak and is just delicious. I would recommend opening one as I do not see this getting any better.
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1/4/2007 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
Allred opened this at a recent offline. Very different than what these taste like young. Perhaps they just made this wine differently back then. I did not take extensive notes but this is a very smooth wine and is drinking very well. Great match with the medium rare tenderloin LostVerse cooked. 92 points.
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12/30/2006 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Decanted briefly for sediment. Notes of dark fruit and plums. Sweet dark fruit, plum and chocolate flavors. Nice lengthy finish. More fruity than the '97, which makes it a bit better on its own. My preference is for the 1997, but just barely.
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12/28/2006 - Nanda wrote: 94 Points
Chicago Wine Geeks taste Merlot (Chicago, IL): Dark ruby with a killer nose of dark fruits, chocolate, herbs, smoke with a touch toasty vanilla nuance. Palate has great concentration and vibrancy of fruit. Savoury tannins provide texture and balance. Seamless and long. Powerful and elegant. My WOTN, group's WOTN.
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11/26/2006 - sw92130 wrote: 90 Points
Compared this w/the 99 Pride Merlot on Thanksgving. Both were delickious, but the Paloma was quite a bit drier.
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10/11/2006 - KPB wrote: 89 Points
Purple/black. User-friendly nose of sweet casis, dark chocolate. Sweet but short finish, soft tannins. After-taste is a bit harsh. Still, easy drinking.
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6/30/2006 - jeff nowak wrote: 93 Points
14.3% alcohol. spring mountain, napa.
as soon as i tasted this tannic beast, i splash decanted it. about a 1/2 hour later, the wine was just terrible. i likened the finish to 'tussin. i was going to use it to treat my papilloma virus. but, i digress.
over an hour after the decanting, the wine blossomed, and i had put in a call to my family physician about the other.
the wine has a long life ahead of it. i hadn't had any paloma for some time, so i thought it would be fun to investigate this vintage. i did have this in january, the only merlot thrown in with 29 other cabs. this producer has much to recommend it. the wine is full bodied for a merlot, and has super structure and balance.
i've dropped off the list for personal reasons, but that won't compromise my objective belief that this is the highest standard of napa merlot. well done, and recommended.
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2/11/2006 - KenK wrote: 92 Points
Bob Foley Wine Tasting Results (My Home): Tasted Blind
Rustic nose of barnyard with ripe pleasant blackberry fruits provided a puzzling aroma.
On the palate, soft entry with flavors of chocolate and rich dark berries that lead to a satisfying finish. A seamless wine with notes of drier fruits indicating some older qualities not found in younger wines. My guess was Merlot with a touch of age and I was right.
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1/20/2006 - psmith wrote: 87 Points
A typical Paloma Merlot nose showing plum and spicy dark chocolate and vanilla notes. Not a large-scaled wine in the mold of the more recent releases, and lacking the build that characterizes the 1999 vintage. Still, an enjoyable wine, especially for fans of this style, which it does remain true to.
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11/27/2005 - rayphillips wrote: 84 Points
Second bottle opened due to first bottle resembling corked wine. Better, but not by much.
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11/27/2005 - rayphillips wrote: 80 Points
Disappointing. Almost tasted corked, but it wasn't. Opened a second bottle and although better, not by much.
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11/21/2005 - rcantelm wrote:
Drank at home. For a merlot it still needed a bit of time to unwind. Pleasant wine.
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11/7/2005 - M&D24 wrote:
This wine actually seems quite out of balance. Alcohol is obtrusive with a woody and tarry quality. Drank the remainder the next day and there was no improvement; actually just more of the same. Quite a disappointing showing, glad it was my only bottle.
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11/3/2005 - andrew wrote: 91 Points
very good, soft and pleasant.
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7/5/2005 - jonphillips wrote: 88 Points
The synthetic tar and licorice is bumming me out!
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6/20/2005 - cck wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 1 hour, this wine is huge -- black fruit, leather and a strong backbone. The finish is there for a full 30 seconds +.
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2/19/2005 - buckeye76 wrote: 93 Points
STILL YOUNG, WITH DEEP BERRY FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR WITH HINTS OF CHOCOLATE AND LICORICE. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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2/13/2005 - jamiekutch wrote:
Long Island Wine's VS. The World... Who was the winner? You will be surpriced (Paumanok Vineyards, North Fork, Long Island, New York): I picked this blind amongst the reds, as it possessed an opaque purple hue that looks like it would glow under a black light. It's big beastly almost Aussie style was clearly out of place amongst it's childish siblings. This is a freak show Merlot with gobs of big fat black fruit and sticky tar like qualities. The tannins are sweet and the oak is bold. It grabs you by the shirt and holds you on the 15+ finish.
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1/1/2005 - jonphillips wrote: 90 Points
My least favorite bottle so far - way too much tar with a sickly sweet note intermingled. Plenty of tannin, so these should wait at least another year or two.
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2/9/2004 - RussW wrote:
This was decanted for 1.5 hours.
C - Opaque purple turning ruby red at the rim.
N - The nose is tar, licorice, earth, dark fruit, Chambord, toast.
P - Medium to full bodied, lots of mineral w/ a touch of acidity that leads into a medium length, smooth round finish of coffee, chocolate covered cherries, blackberries, and caramel.
On day 2 the wine was virtually unchanged. This wine should have many years of enjoyable drinking ahead and it is a damn fine wine today. One of the top 3 CA merlots I have ever had and look forward to trying the '01 version in 2-3 years.
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1/27/2004 - jeff nowak wrote:
even though i've been on the mailing list since the 97 vintage, it had been a while since i had opened one. this was my first taste of the 99.
a tannic beast. my first impression was that it had been a mistake to open. i quickly decided to decant, and see what the night would bring. good move. 30 minutes later the wine was at least budging, and it just kept opening up over almost 4 hours.
powerful merlot. i know they blend in some cab, and the added structure is readily evident. tannins are still present, but the fruit integrates nicely, and smooths out the mid palate rather well. chocolate, mocha, blackberry. it's a classic california merlot with enough oak to possibly scare off the truly oak intolerant. but i found the wine to be delicious. my wife drank more than her share which i found interesting. her all time favorite red is rudd jericho canyon. however, she was very partial to this wine.
for the points-a-philes, i would score this 92. another year or two of bottle age is going to beef this up. it's a nice wine to savor for the future. boy, the 01 is probably going to be chunky.
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6/3/2003 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Rareshides tasting at Maguire's: Deep red fruit. Mocha. Rich smelling. Eucalyptus. Nice. Balanced, big, but still has a pleasant softness on the palate.
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8/2/2002 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Yeast, raspberry, whisky barrel – rich, with a texture that reminds me of the Amarone. Tannins. Tasted again later, this seemed heavily dominated by the oak. Tasted day two it opened up again with lots of caramel, toasted oak, soy, graphite. Inky. Scary-big Merlot. Bit surprised it wasn’t showing more fruit.
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