This wine is holding its weight gracefully, I tried this wine a few years ago and its evolution is amaizing. Love it full of ripen straberries among with hints of mint and velvety tannins.
94-95 pts.
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This was our last bottle of the '07 vintage, but it was enjoyed by all at the family gathering on the day after Christmas. No formal notes but it was very nice.
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My last bottle….made me reminisce about some of the tastings I had with Barbara in her home. Really terrific wine that tasted just like my last bottle. A complex Cab lovers Merlot with a deep and dark color, Chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and a complex finish were the notes I got on the palate. This was wonderful…wish i bought more.
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My last 2007 and glad to finish 2021 on a positive note, in a year significantly lacking in positives. I was thinking about our spending several visits with Barbara years ago. These memories make a wine ever more special and personal. Her enthusiasm for her product and her land always rang loud, as we enjoyed the hummingbirds while we enjoyed the wine. Bless you Barbara and best wishes to Sheldon for a prosperous 2022!!!
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Disjointed wine. Big mistake not to drink this 5-10 years ago. I left this in the decanter hoping it would come together but it just fell apart even more. I finally dumped it out. I need to try a young vintage.
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Blackberry and black cherry. Wife says hint of leather, I say menthol and oak. Zero vanilla, toast, or richness and no old notes. Still carries nice acidity and very slightly drying, which makes me say drink now to maximize the fruit.
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Drank with Jay, Nathan, and Clare. Lush, rounded and ripe blueberries and blackberries, flowers, and hint of herbs on the nose. Palate is similar with ripe blue- and blackberries, dark chocolate, with hints of black tea. Still with nice acids to balance all the ripe fruit. Full bodied with dense, lush palate that lingers on the palate. 14.8% abv but carried the alcohol well. Very well made for the style. Too much power for me though.
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Decanted and drank over 3 hours. Fresh blackberries and a hint of earthiness in this now 11 year old Merlot. Perfectly integrated at this point, possibly peaking now, but with no sign of age it could, it could live on for a long time.
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A surprisingly fresh-tasting wine despite over a decade in the bottle. Beautiful red fruit and cassis plushness on entry. A dollop of mineral/saline acidity in the midpalate that leads to a medium length finish with porcelain tannins and a few secondary flavors (cedar and baking spices). Probably the best Paloma I've ever tasted. A beautiful time to drink the '07 if you have 'em.
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Not super complex, but still most enjoyable. Needs 1-2 hours of air. Very nice chocolate liquer essence without being overly sappy. And I echo recent notes, not sure this improves from here. I'd say drink 'em if you got 'em...and enjoy 'em!
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Surprised that this 11 year old Merlot was not anywhere near over the hill. Beautiful fruit and complexity w tamed tannins and nice finish. Don’t think it will improve w more cellar time but drinking nicely now.
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Dark purple color. No sign of bricking but clearly the jamminess has subdued after 10 years. Blackberries, plum and oak. Tannins are subdued. Young Paloma is too sweet and jammy for my taste, but this vintage is well-integrated and in a good place. I don’t think it improves with age.
This is still in its prime. Very smooth. Indicative of the legacy of excellence in making Merlot - which Paloma does better than most and at approachable price point.
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We took a 07 Paloma and a 10 Euclid Cabernet with us to Barcelona. Always love both but it was fun/special to enjoy them in Europe!! Barbara, we are toasting you and Paloma while we are thrilled by Barcelona. Glad that I have plenty left back home.
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Second Sunday Group: Paloma Merlot Vertical (Our house): Opens with dark fruit, plum and chocolate notes. Perhaps also just a hint of VA, perhaps not. Good fruit on the palate but the acid is a bit sharp. Develops notes of florals and tobacco and the acidity becomes less angular.
My #4, Domino's #1 Group #2, 28 pts
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On track with 92 point average but considering how it's evolved in the cellar, one more deserving point! Pouring into the decanter I got the black cherry, berry right off the batt, but as the wine opens fruit takes a back seat to cedar, tobacco and mineral notes. This is a powerful merlot by all standards and is a joy to consume. Spicy. Lovely. Complex.
To quote Barbara: "Mountain fruit is the best"
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We discovered after opening this bottle and reading a previous note that Barbara had passed. We knew previously that her health was declining.
I often note that half the joy of popping a bottle from the cellar is the wine itself; fully the other half of the experience is reliving the time and place of the tasting and subsequent purchase. Visiting with Barbara was a uniquely wonderful time. Her sweet personality and wit was so memorable, and her hummingbirds were an amazing spectacle. We especially loved her telling us about the deer and turkeys that loved to poach her grapes. And when we asked what she did about that, she quickly replied "We eat them."
Cheers, Barbara!
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Paloma is a special place and Barbara was a special person. Visited several times and brought friends back for the experience. When we enjoy one of our many bottles, it's a trip back to Spring Mountain and Barbara's hummingbirds. God bless!!
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This is an elegant and aging Merlot from Paloma. Initially, I got a whiff of dark fruit but soon followed by stronger notes of tobacco and sage. With further aeration, there was that underlying dark fruit and maybe some dark chocolate. Medium bodied with well integrated soft finish. Drinking well. Probably has a couple more years of retaining the primary fruit before officially moving into "aged wine" territory.
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Took until the second day to come together but still a bit tense on the finish. Tannins never completely blended in -- they distracted but much less so on second day. Nice fruit that deepened and darkened on second day. Really good with food. Medium bodied with typically red merlot fruit. Some bitter chocolate, black tea and cedar. Somewhat disappointing
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Ripe plum, rasins, dark berry, still some vanilla coming through, lots of ripe fruit on the palate, with nicely integrated sweet tannin, medium length finish
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This wine is holding together well. Hasn't started to brick at all. Classic Paloma. Special bottle that I bought from Barbara Richards years ago. I stopped by her house when she was pruning the vineyard. Such a friendly and classy lady.
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this was right in the middle of the Paloma merlot flight and while it was really very good, the better and worse were more memorable. I wish I had more to say but all the Paloma merlot were examples of fine CA Merlot that aren't too sweet or completely over the top.
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Notes of plums, dried fig, dark cassis and dried thyme, palate has some nice freshness with slightly bitter tannin popping from time to time and some decent bitter milk chocolate and cocoa notes , will revisit next year
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Cherries, cola, cedar with a touch of mocha. Smooth tannins and long finish. I think this will improve over the next few years. Paloma always delivers.
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Flavors of cherry pie and baking spice. Medium body feels a bit thin on the palate. Soft tannins and a touch of alcohol heat on the finish. Overall, though, a nice, enjoyable merlot.
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Nose - fresh blackberry, hint of coffee Mouth - fresh lively dark fruits, really delineated, fine, delicious dark fruit, zippy with good interplay of fruit, acidity, and tannins. Really drinking nicely at the moment. Slight char on the finish
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Decanted 1.5 hours, consumed over 1.5 hours. Paired with grilled ribeye, béarnaise, asparagus, spinach salad.
Terrific nose with a clove dominated spice then dark blue/black fruit. Moderate concentration with complex layered spice and berry on the palate followed by a medium-long finish of vanilla just beginning a tertiary transformation to leather and tobacco leaf. Effortlessly balanced and integrated. Better than expected.
Outstanding, drink now OK to hold.
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Haven't really had this wine since probably the 2001 vintage…..why? LOVE these big juicy Merlots like this and the likes of Pride Mtn, Pahlmeyer….because they drink like really super smoooooth Cabs! Pure silk and softness here, yet still has a firm spine with nice dusty spicy round tannins. Has the mocha, dark Mexican chocolate, cedar spice, white pepper, dried tobacco leaf….plump and ripe liqueured berry fruit…silky and sexy! And still able to buy this off the shelf around $50 bucks????…..W I N N I N G!!!
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Really beginning to sing, the nose offers an extensive array of coffee bean, vanilla, plum, black raspberry as well as some nice mineral undertones, palate is quite fresh with a nice finish
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Blueberry aromas. Smooth entry.red currants with a lingering dark chocolate finish. Some zest on the finish. This is going to continue to improve with age. Outstanding. 90
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Ruby color. Nose: red/black cherry and redcurrant with accents of roses, crushed rock, iron, anise, and roasted grain. Medium body on the palate: cherry, redcurrant, and Boysenberry framed by crushed rock, iron, anise, and dark chocolate. Medium+ acidity. Moderate/lighter tannins. Lingering crushed rock, dark chocolate, and berry skin on the long finish. Focused, pristine fruit and mineral tones. Gorgeous mountain structure. Poised and noble. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
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Still very tight. Bright, tart berry flavors and good acidity. Needs lots of time. Taste again in 2 yrs and hope there is adequate fruit to go the distance.
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Silky smooth very balanced. Paired very well with pork chops with tomato purée. Great finish on the back palate. Not a merlot fan but this makes me wonder
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What a gorgeous wine. This is the 2nd Paloma Merlot that really grabbed me - when you put the glass to your mouth for a taste your nose is filled with beautiful fruit and something earthy. (The 1st was a 2006). Beautiful nose, absolutely beautiful and delicious mid-palate. Rich fruit without being overpowering. Blackberry, briarberry, some spices, nice level of acidity, some tannins. The finish could have been longer in the beginning. Now at 3.5 hours the finish is getting longer with some tart cherry - which I like. (Went incredibly well with grilled lamb chops.)
Will the finish improve over the next few years???
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tasted blind, limited notes, at this point in the night i am writing downward at a 30 degree slant into a tiny nook on the page, if that tells you anything. mouth - minerality, broad strawberry midpalate [illegible] on finish. immature, young? potential.
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Outstanding again, great depth of delicious dark fruit: blackberries, hint of very nice soft tannins, low acidity (could be a bit higher maybe), very balanced, just a delicious wine to drink, went very well with a grilled rib-eye and reduced 5 oz of this for a sauce. What a nice fall meal.
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Barbara makes gorgeous wine! Opened and decanted at the restaurant. Dark fruit and sweet tobacco on the nose. Smooth palate of blackberries...noticed some cassis. Finish of red fruit. The wine put the dinner to shame.
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Dinner Valerie, Brian and Terri to celebrate the good news on Eli. Needed a few extra hours to open up = 5 or so Fantastic, bright red fruit on the nose, cherry, leather and earth tastes with a smooth feel from start to finish, almost slilk
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- Garnet color with medium forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of strawberry and blackberry with a medium/full body. Silky texture with a medium finish - I don't know what to say other than what a fantastic wine from a great producer. This has never disappointed. Decanted for about an hour. Great nose of strawberries, oak and vanilla. Always a cab drinkers merlot. Wish I bought more.
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The 2007 Paloma was a bit tight at first, but is opening up very nicely compared to my prior note (below). It is starting to drink well now, but will still improve.
"This Paloma helps restore confidence in California Merlot. It is still young and dominated by cassiss, cherry and plumb fruits, but also nice spiceness and moderate tannins. It is one of those few wines that work well with food or by itself, but I think it will be better starting in 2012 after the jamminess mellows."
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Decanted for 5 hrs and drank over the next 3. Silky smooth tannins and chocolate, cedar, and cherries on the nose. Same on the palate. This is your typical Paloma but maybe a bit lighter than usual. It's still a great wine but doesn't quite have the depth of the 02 or 03. It paired ridiculously well with Barely Buzzed cheese.
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I believe this is a serious sleeper. Tasted about a year ago and found it rather tight and ungiving, not a lot of promise. Opened another four nights ago and decanted. Six hours later it was a marvel of complexity and restraint, with the "Pridiness" I've come to expect from the appellation peeking through on the finish. I think it will be stunning in two or three years.
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Black cherry, cola, mocha, spice. Amazing finish. This clearly needs more time, but I really enjoyed this. I'm a sucker for the mountain merlot though.
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if you are a fan of the super ripe, pushed to the limit extraction and oak style that makes high elevation bordeaux varietals coat your tongue and pucker your lips, step right up. i know it's young, nevertheless this is too much of everything for me, and yet i understand why it's popular. however, a good idea gone haywire from my perspective.
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Perfumed nose of sweet black berries and rich raspberry tempting the senses. Pretty flavors of dark cherries and milk chocolate come to mind with a dash of brewed coffee in the background. Surprisingly approachable with soft tannins, this Merlot is light on it's feet and mild. Flashes of cola on a finish that also displays decadent mocha and charcoal. Granted, this was only from a half a glass sample, but I somehow found myself searching for more with this wine that just simply wasn't there to find. Wine Exchange tasting room
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Visited the winery and bought 4 bottles, 1 of which we consumed at Taylor's Refresher. I agree with the previous tasting notes. Lush fruit - blackberries, plum - with a bit of licorice, spice, and some toasty oak on the nose. Full bodied wine that coats your palate in a with a layer of jammy goodness. I don't think it's over the top like Zinfandel. It is young and highly recommend some bottle age. I've had the '02 and '06 this year, and felt the latter was more jammy than '07 while the '02 was very tasty and approaching it's optimal drinking window.
The '07 paired nicely with some juicy burgers at Taylors. I also highly recommend making an appointment with Barbara at Paloma if you are a fan of her wines. Very nice and informative woman and a beautiful location.
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This Paloma helps restore confidence in California Merlot. It is still young and dominated by cassiss, cherry and plumb fruits, but also nice spiceness and moderate tannins. It is one of those few wines that work well with food or by itself, but I think it will be better starting in 2012 after the jamminess mellows.
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Tasted this at the "winery" (the owner's home) with two friends and the owner. This is one of my favorite Merlots, very much like the Pride Merlot. Barbara talked to us for about 30 minutes before we tried her wine, talking about the history of the vineyards, neighboring vineyards, and her wine. A great way to start our Spring Mountain day trip.
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Tasted at Paloma from a freshly opened bottle, not decanted. Tighter and more tannic than the 06, it was somewhat closed down. Enjoy the 05s and 06s now and cellar the 07 for a year or two. If you do open now, I suggest decanting for a few hours.
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Nose of chocolate, tobacco and dark fruit. Flavors of casis, lots of cocoa, with a long smooth mouth feel finish. Very balanced and youthful and will get better with age. Had this wine with our Thanksgiving dinner, but I think the wine is better as a stand-alone.
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4/20/2024 - noni15 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Consistent with my previous notes.
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4/17/2024 - noni15 Likes this wine: 95 Points
This wine is holding its weight gracefully, I tried this wine a few years ago and its evolution is amaizing. Love it full of ripen straberries among with hints of mint and velvety tannins.
94-95 pts.
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12/26/2022 - Labrador Likes this wine: 89 Points
This was our last bottle of the '07 vintage, but it was enjoyed by all at the family gathering on the day after Christmas. No formal notes but it was very nice.
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10/14/2022 - travelme Likes this wine: 93 Points
My last bottle….made me reminisce about some of the tastings I had with Barbara in her home. Really terrific wine that tasted just like my last bottle. A complex Cab lovers Merlot with a deep and dark color, Chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and a complex finish were the notes I got on the palate. This was wonderful…wish i bought more.
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7/27/2022 - greg@newsomehh.com Likes this wine:
Opened for the Raid the cellar night Love it
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3/19/2022 - tiggerevnstn wrote: 91 Points
Drank a non-inventory bottle.
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1/1/2022 - clutj Likes this wine: 90 Points
Less fulsome than a year ago; I’d drink up
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1/1/2022 - Tarpon222 wrote: 90 Points
My last 2007 and glad to finish 2021 on a positive note, in a year significantly lacking in positives. I was thinking about our spending several visits with Barbara years ago. These memories make a wine ever more special and personal. Her enthusiasm for her product and her land always rang loud, as we enjoyed the hummingbirds while we enjoyed the wine. Bless you Barbara and best wishes to Sheldon for a prosperous 2022!!!
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10/23/2021 - drwine57@gmail.com wrote:
Disjointed wine. Big mistake not to drink this 5-10 years ago. I left this in the decanter hoping it would come together but it just fell apart even more. I finally dumped it out. I need to try a young vintage.
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12/26/2020 - tiggerevnstn Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good fruit. Drinking nicely still. Possibly nearing end of drinking window. I appreciated the maturity.
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12/12/2020 - clutj Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great
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12/8/2019 - Michigan Mostberg Likes this wine: 91 Points
Blackberry and black cherry. Wife says hint of leather, I say menthol and oak. Zero vanilla, toast, or richness and no old notes. Still carries nice acidity and very slightly drying, which makes me say drink now to maximize the fruit.
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7/7/2019 - shellylowen Likes this wine: 93 Points
Full body and mouth coating tannins. Dark fruit notes, leather, and earth, long finish. Wish I had more.
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6/1/2019 - mckillop Likes this wine: 92 Points
This bottle was even better than the last one. Rich and creamy with everything well integrated.
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3/9/2019 - cpdwines Likes this wine: 93 Points
drinking perfectly now.
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12/6/2018 - James Kim wrote:
Drank with Jay, Nathan, and Clare. Lush, rounded and ripe blueberries and blackberries, flowers, and hint of herbs on the nose. Palate is similar with ripe blue- and blackberries, dark chocolate, with hints of black tea. Still with nice acids to balance all the ripe fruit. Full bodied with dense, lush palate that lingers on the palate. 14.8% abv but carried the alcohol well. Very well made for the style. Too much power for me though.
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10/6/2018 - cawineaux wrote: 93 Points
Decanted and drank over 3 hours. Fresh blackberries and a hint of earthiness in this now 11 year old Merlot. Perfectly integrated at this point, possibly peaking now, but with no sign of age it could, it could live on for a long time.
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9/18/2018 - BadOyster wrote: 94 Points
A surprisingly fresh-tasting wine despite over a decade in the bottle. Beautiful red fruit and cassis plushness on entry. A dollop of mineral/saline acidity in the midpalate that leads to a medium length finish with porcelain tannins and a few secondary flavors (cedar and baking spices). Probably the best Paloma I've ever tasted. A beautiful time to drink the '07 if you have 'em.
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5/26/2018 - kdregister wrote: 92 Points
Delicious but time to drink up!
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5/26/2018 - ozziewine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not super complex, but still most enjoyable.
Needs 1-2 hours of air.
Very nice chocolate liquer essence without being overly sappy.
And I echo recent notes, not sure this improves from here. I'd say drink 'em if you got 'em...and enjoy 'em!
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5/14/2018 - Cellarseller Likes this wine: 90 Points
Surprised that this 11 year old Merlot was not anywhere near over the hill. Beautiful fruit and complexity w tamed tannins and nice finish. Don’t think it will improve w more cellar time but drinking nicely now.
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4/8/2018 - StainedGlass wrote: 92 Points
Dark purple color. No sign of bricking but clearly the jamminess has subdued after 10 years. Blackberries, plum and oak. Tannins are subdued. Young Paloma is too sweet and jammy for my taste, but this vintage is well-integrated and in a good place. I don’t think it improves with age.
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1/11/2018 - Basicgym101 Likes this wine:
2007 Was incredible.
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12/23/2017 - buckeye76 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking very well now, the 2007 Paloma is showing blackberries, black cherries, plums, and chocolate. Well balanced wine with a long smooth finish.
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8/21/2017 - Tarpon222 wrote: 92 Points
Terrific. Bold, rich, mountain fruit. Glad I have a number left.
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5/15/2017 - GingerBelle Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is still in its prime. Very smooth. Indicative of the legacy of excellence in making Merlot - which Paloma does better than most and at approachable price point.
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4/23/2017 - knlowery Likes this wine: 91 Points
Excellent Merlot that was better day two than day one. Not as powerful and the early 2000s but still delicious
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4/3/2017 - shellylowen Likes this wine: 90 Points
Plum and eucalyptus notes, silky with a medium finish. Went very well with mixed foods
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3/31/2017 - Tarpon222 wrote: 92 Points
We took a 07 Paloma and a 10 Euclid Cabernet with us to Barcelona. Always love both but it was fun/special to enjoy them in Europe!! Barbara, we are toasting you and Paloma while we are thrilled by Barcelona. Glad that I have plenty left back home.
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3/6/2017 - ddingley Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not usually a Cali Merlot guy. This changed my mind--just didn't find a good enough one. This was terrific
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12/31/2016 - pbredon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Absolute delight. No decant, opened for one hour. No reason to wait--wish I had more!
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12/24/2016 - travelme Likes this wine: 93 Points
An excellent bottle of Merlot. Cab lovers delight. A crowd pleaser for the Christmas Eve dinner party.
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11/13/2016 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
Second Sunday Group: Paloma Merlot Vertical (Our house): Opens with dark fruit, plum and chocolate notes. Perhaps also just a hint of VA, perhaps not. Good fruit on the palate but the acid is a bit sharp. Develops notes of florals and tobacco and the acidity becomes less angular.
My #4, Domino's #1
Group #2, 28 pts
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10/13/2016 - Drmarg Likes this wine: 93 Points
On track with 92 point average but considering how it's evolved in the cellar, one more deserving point! Pouring into the decanter I got the black cherry, berry right off the batt, but as the wine opens fruit takes a back seat to cedar, tobacco and mineral notes. This is a powerful merlot by all standards and is a joy to consume. Spicy. Lovely. Complex.
To quote Barbara: "Mountain fruit is the best"
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9/12/2016 - pdemaio wrote: 94 Points
Simply beautiful merlot, with great backbone and exquisite fruit. Full bodied. Hard to resist.
PDQ93+
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8/15/2016 - timdrex wrote: 92 Points
We discovered after opening this bottle and reading a previous note that Barbara had passed. We knew previously that her health was declining.
I often note that half the joy of popping a bottle from the cellar is the wine itself; fully the other half of the experience is reliving the time and place of the tasting and subsequent purchase. Visiting with Barbara was a uniquely wonderful time. Her sweet personality and wit was so memorable, and her hummingbirds were an amazing spectacle. We especially loved her telling us about the deer and turkeys that loved to poach her grapes. And when we asked what she did about that, she quickly replied "We eat them."
Cheers, Barbara!
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5/9/2016 - Tarpon222 wrote: 91 Points
Paloma is a special place and Barbara was a special person. Visited several times and brought friends back for the experience. When we enjoy one of our many bottles, it's a trip back to Spring Mountain and Barbara's hummingbirds. God bless!!
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4/6/2016 - goldenbadger wrote: 92 Points
Heard about Barbara's passing on Monday. Decided to drink one in her honor. One of my favorite vineyards I've ever visited.
Absolutely delicious as I knew it would be under it careful attention to every detail.
Beautiful deep red color and rich black cherry and some mocha. Nice and forward with a great finish.
Cheers Barbara
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1/10/2016 - juicejammer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Aromas of dark plum. cherry and cocoa powder. Soft on the palate with well integrated tannins. Well balanced, bright and juicy. Drink now-2025
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12/15/2015 - KenPlace wrote: 92 Points
Lots of chocolate notes, smooth, very good.
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11/29/2015 - J-Sho Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is an elegant and aging Merlot from Paloma. Initially, I got a whiff of dark fruit but soon followed by stronger notes of tobacco and sage. With further aeration, there was that underlying dark fruit and maybe some dark chocolate. Medium bodied with well integrated soft finish. Drinking well. Probably has a couple more years of retaining the primary fruit before officially moving into "aged wine" territory.
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11/29/2015 - iamandyc wrote: 90 Points
Took until the second day to come together but still a bit tense on the finish. Tannins never completely blended in -- they distracted but much less so on second day. Nice fruit that deepened and darkened on second day. Really good with food. Medium bodied with typically red merlot fruit. Some bitter chocolate, black tea and cedar. Somewhat disappointing
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11/24/2015 - pdemaio wrote: 94 Points
Lovely, smooth, and full bodied. Integrated, smooth tannins. Terrific mouth feel. Lovely and lush
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9/15/2015 - brubron Likes this wine:
Very polished California Merlot. Strong, delicious fruit with berry an some cheery. Smooth finish. In its prime.
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7/24/2015 - eoinhharkins wrote:
Ripe plum, rasins, dark berry, still some vanilla coming through, lots of ripe fruit on the palate, with nicely integrated sweet tannin, medium length finish
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6/2/2015 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine:
Lovely wine, notes of dark chocolate, plum, rasin, nice herb and rock component, palate has nice persistence, with elegant tannin and fruit feel
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5/11/2015 - Murf130 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine is holding together well. Hasn't started to brick at all. Classic Paloma. Special bottle that I bought from Barbara Richards years ago. I stopped by her house when she was pruning the vineyard. Such a friendly and classy lady.
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4/25/2015 - Champagneinhand Likes this wine: 91 Points
this was right in the middle of the Paloma merlot flight and while it was really very good, the better and worse were more memorable. I wish I had more to say but all the Paloma merlot were examples of fine CA Merlot that aren't too sweet or completely over the top.
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2/14/2015 - sfarwig Likes this wine: 92 Points
A cabernet lover's merlot. Drinking quite well now.
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1/8/2015 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was full of berry, currant, mocha and a touch of forest floor. It drinks very nicely and is fun to drink - would be a great party wine.
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12/11/2014 - eoinhharkins wrote: 93 Points
Notes of plums, dried fig, dark cassis and dried thyme, palate has some nice freshness with slightly bitter tannin popping from time to time and some decent bitter milk chocolate and cocoa notes , will revisit next year
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12/9/2014 - pdemaio wrote: 93 Points
aging wonderfully. Lovely wine with good balance. perfect for a steak.
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11/28/2014 - Jwd12 wrote: 94 Points
Extraordinary wine. Deep dark purple huge floral nose. Smooth velvet with long finish need mpre
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9/20/2014 - timdrex wrote: 92 Points
Limestone on the nose with a hint of coffee. Palate: medium tannins, blueberry, licorice. Silky and elegant. Med-long finish.
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8/1/2014 - KenPlace wrote: 92 Points
Some initial heat, but with half hour aeration it began to calm down. Still has good fruit, good integration of tannins, and a medium finish.
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6/10/2014 - TheRikker Likes this wine: 93 Points
Cherries, cola, cedar with a touch of mocha. Smooth tannins and long finish. I think this will improve over the next few years. Paloma always delivers.
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6/7/2014 - Surfdoc wrote: 90 Points
Flavors of cherry pie and baking spice. Medium body feels a bit thin on the palate. Soft tannins and a touch of alcohol heat on the finish. Overall, though, a nice, enjoyable merlot.
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6/4/2014 - soyhead wrote:
Nose - fresh blackberry, hint of coffee
Mouth - fresh lively dark fruits, really delineated, fine, delicious dark fruit, zippy with good interplay of fruit, acidity, and tannins. Really drinking nicely at the moment. Slight char on the finish
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5/12/2014 - Empirate wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 1.5 hours, consumed over 1.5 hours. Paired with grilled ribeye, béarnaise, asparagus, spinach salad.
Terrific nose with a clove dominated spice then dark blue/black fruit. Moderate concentration with complex layered spice and berry on the palate followed by a medium-long finish of vanilla just beginning a tertiary transformation to leather and tobacco leaf. Effortlessly balanced and integrated. Better than expected.
Outstanding, drink now OK to hold.
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3/29/2014 - jinks Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fabulous drop. not a ton of depth, but this is a decadent wine nevertheless. Pure, rich, deep fruit and plenty of structure. drinks like a cab.
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3/22/2014 - Tarpon222 wrote: 94 Points
Simply awesome. A killer, perfumed, floral nose that just doesn't quit. Beautiful color and super smooth
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2/25/2014 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Haven't really had this wine since probably the 2001 vintage…..why? LOVE these big juicy Merlots like this and the likes of Pride Mtn, Pahlmeyer….because they drink like really super smoooooth Cabs! Pure silk and softness here, yet still has a firm spine with nice dusty spicy round tannins. Has the mocha, dark Mexican chocolate, cedar spice, white pepper, dried tobacco leaf….plump and ripe liqueured berry fruit…silky and sexy! And still able to buy this off the shelf around $50 bucks????…..W I N N I N G!!!
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2/17/2014 - jhieb Likes this wine: 94 Points
Absolute silk. This just keeps getting better. Definitely one of my Merlots.
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1/3/2014 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 93 Points
This puppy is just coming into its own. Wonderful nose, a lot of texture.
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12/12/2013 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really beginning to sing, the nose offers an extensive array of coffee bean, vanilla, plum, black raspberry as well as some nice mineral undertones, palate is quite fresh with a nice finish
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12/7/2013 - jhieb Likes this wine: 93 Points
Much smoother than it was a few years ago. Beautiful mountain fruit.
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10/27/2013 - oklota wrote: 94 Points
Amazing and agreed more like a cab. Opens well as the night goes on even after a 12 hour decant. Subtle blueberry tones on nose and throughout.
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9/22/2013 - jhieb Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is really coming around. Rich, decadent, chocolate, velvet, and blueberry.
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8/16/2013 - jaxpaj wrote: 92 Points
Much better than the first bottle. Drank over 2 days and on day 2 the wine at its best.
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6/24/2013 - swade wrote: 90 Points
Blueberry aromas. Smooth entry.red currants with a lingering dark chocolate finish. Some zest on the finish. This is going to continue to improve with age. Outstanding. 90
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6/2/2013 - zueter Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still not ready
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5/18/2013 - kbhiggins wrote: 90 Points
This is a cab lover's Merlot. However, it was silky smooth and balanced right out of the bottle.
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4/16/2013 - vinomex wrote: 93 Points
Napa Merlots for Cab Lovers -NYC Wine Tasting Group (New York, NY): More cab like than all other merlots tonight. It has some minerality and firmer tannins. Extremely drinkable now with the potential of going a few more years. Great merlot
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3/17/2013 - cpdwines Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still very young. Can go for several more years.
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2/14/2013 - jsums wrote: 93 Points
Ruby color. Nose: red/black cherry and redcurrant with accents of roses, crushed rock, iron, anise, and roasted grain. Medium body on the palate: cherry, redcurrant, and Boysenberry framed by crushed rock, iron, anise, and dark chocolate. Medium+ acidity. Moderate/lighter tannins. Lingering crushed rock, dark chocolate, and berry skin on the long finish. Focused, pristine fruit and mineral tones. Gorgeous mountain structure. Poised and noble. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
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2/6/2013 - jhieb wrote: 91 Points
At this stage, the alcohol seems to be overpowering the fruit.
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1/29/2013 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 89 Points
Still needs time
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1/2/2013 - tfharris Likes this wine: 91 Points
this is just a great, full bodied merlot.
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10/20/2012 - Fishboy wrote: 90 Points
Great merlot
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8/28/2012 - WillametteWonders wrote: 90 Points
Still very tight. Bright, tart berry flavors and good acidity. Needs lots of time. Taste again in 2 yrs and hope there is adequate fruit to go the distance.
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4/15/2012 - Tparker wrote: 93 Points
- Garnet color with medium forming legs. It's balanced with a medium/full body. Smooth texture with a long finish.
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4/13/2012 - Richgoza wrote: 90 Points
Silky smooth very balanced. Paired very well with pork chops with tomato purée. Great finish on the back palate. Not a merlot fan but this makes me wonder
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2/14/2012 - Giacomo wrote: 92 Points
What a gorgeous wine. This is the 2nd Paloma Merlot that really grabbed me - when you put the glass to your mouth for a taste your nose is filled with beautiful fruit and something earthy. (The 1st was a 2006). Beautiful nose, absolutely beautiful and delicious mid-palate. Rich fruit without being overpowering. Blackberry, briarberry, some spices, nice level of acidity, some tannins. The finish could have been longer in the beginning. Now at 3.5 hours the finish is getting longer with some tart cherry - which I like. (Went incredibly well with grilled lamb chops.)
Will the finish improve over the next few years???
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1/27/2012 - Castle Peak wrote: 92 Points
Donated to a merlot tasting. Fabulous as always.
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1/2/2012 - soyhead wrote: 90 Points
tasted blind, limited notes, at this point in the night i am writing downward at a 30 degree slant into a tiny nook on the page, if that tells you anything.
mouth - minerality, broad strawberry midpalate [illegible] on finish. immature, young? potential.
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11/20/2011 - Giacomo wrote: 91 Points
Outstanding again, great depth of delicious dark fruit: blackberries, hint of very nice soft tannins, low acidity (could be a bit higher maybe), very balanced, just a delicious wine to drink, went very well with a grilled rib-eye and reduced 5 oz of this for a sauce. What a nice fall meal.
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9/4/2011 - Mel-o-Vino wrote: 92 Points
Barbara makes gorgeous wine! Opened and decanted at the restaurant. Dark fruit and sweet tobacco on the nose. Smooth palate of blackberries...noticed some cassis. Finish of red fruit. The wine put the dinner to shame.
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8/9/2011 - mavericks wrote:
Dinner Valerie, Brian and Terri to celebrate the good news on Eli.
Needed a few extra hours to open up = 5 or so
Fantastic, bright red fruit on the nose, cherry, leather and earth tastes with a smooth feel from start to finish, almost slilk
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8/6/2011 - rerail84 wrote:
- Garnet color with medium forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of strawberry and blackberry with a medium/full body. Silky texture with a medium finish - I don't know what to say other than what a fantastic wine from a great producer. This has never disappointed. Decanted for about an hour. Great nose of strawberries, oak and vanilla. Always a cab drinkers merlot. Wish I bought more.
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6/20/2011 - StainedGlass wrote: 92 Points
The 2007 Paloma was a bit tight at first, but is opening up very nicely compared to my prior note (below). It is starting to drink well now, but will still improve.
"This Paloma helps restore confidence in California Merlot. It is still young and dominated by cassiss, cherry and plumb fruits, but also nice spiceness and moderate tannins. It is one of those few wines that work well with food or by itself, but I think it will be better starting in 2012 after the jamminess mellows."
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5/28/2011 - Share 67 wrote: 95 Points
This will be another classic by Barbara and the family
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5/22/2011 - TheRikker wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 5 hrs and drank over the next 3. Silky smooth tannins and chocolate, cedar, and cherries on the nose. Same on the palate. This is your typical Paloma but maybe a bit lighter than usual. It's still a great wine but doesn't quite have the depth of the 02 or 03. It paired ridiculously well with Barely Buzzed cheese.
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2/17/2011 - littlefoot wrote: 93 Points
I believe this is a serious sleeper. Tasted about a year ago and found it rather tight and ungiving, not a lot of promise. Opened another four nights ago and decanted. Six hours later it was a marvel of complexity and restraint, with the "Pridiness" I've come to expect from the appellation peeking through on the finish. I think it will be stunning in two or three years.
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11/26/2010 - cbkamp wrote: 91 Points
Black cherry, cola, mocha, spice. Amazing finish. This clearly needs more time, but I really enjoyed this. I'm a sucker for the mountain merlot though.
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11/25/2010 - jeff nowak wrote:
if you are a fan of the super ripe, pushed to the limit extraction and oak style that makes high elevation bordeaux varietals coat your tongue and pucker your lips, step right up. i know it's young, nevertheless this is too much of everything for me, and yet i understand why it's popular. however, a good idea gone haywire from my perspective.
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11/13/2010 - Chris1pr wrote:
Gift to hector Evertz
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10/24/2010 - wine maestro wrote: 88 Points
Perfumed nose of sweet black berries and rich raspberry tempting the senses. Pretty
flavors of dark cherries and milk chocolate come to mind with a dash of brewed coffee
in the background. Surprisingly approachable with soft tannins, this Merlot is light on
it's feet and mild. Flashes of cola on a finish that also displays decadent mocha and
charcoal. Granted, this was only from a half a glass sample, but I somehow found
myself searching for more with this wine that just simply wasn't there to find.
Wine Exchange tasting room
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10/13/2010 - DoubleD1969 wrote: 91 Points
Visited the winery and bought 4 bottles, 1 of which we consumed at Taylor's Refresher. I agree with the previous tasting notes. Lush fruit - blackberries, plum - with a bit of licorice, spice, and some toasty oak on the nose. Full bodied wine that coats your palate in a with a layer of jammy goodness. I don't think it's over the top like Zinfandel. It is young and highly recommend some bottle age. I've had the '02 and '06 this year, and felt the latter was more jammy than '07 while the '02 was very tasty and approaching it's optimal drinking window.
The '07 paired nicely with some juicy burgers at Taylors. I also highly recommend making an appointment with Barbara at Paloma if you are a fan of her wines. Very nice and informative woman and a beautiful location.
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8/22/2010 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
2010 Family Winemakers Tasting San Francisco; 8/22/2010-8/23/2010 (Fort Mason Festival Pavillon, San Francisco, California): Berry, black fruit nose; tasty, black fruit, berry, eucalyptus palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts.
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8/22/2010 - StainedGlass wrote: 91 Points
This Paloma helps restore confidence in California Merlot. It is still young and dominated by cassiss, cherry and plumb fruits, but also nice spiceness and moderate tannins. It is one of those few wines that work well with food or by itself, but I think it will be better starting in 2012 after the jamminess mellows.
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4/20/2010 - Frijole wrote:
dark inky plum, medium clarity, ruby hue
Nose: grapes, thyme, pepper, smoke, earth, cranberries, little nutmeg
Pal: stemmy, chalk, grape, cranberries, earth, dark chocolate, thyme, clove
Feel: medium, savory
Finish: long
TC8
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3/20/2010 - Mike Oxlong Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted this at the "winery" (the owner's home) with two friends and the owner. This is one of my favorite Merlots, very much like the Pride Merlot. Barbara talked to us for about 30 minutes before we tried her wine, talking about the history of the vineyards, neighboring vineyards, and her wine. A great way to start our Spring Mountain day trip.
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3/20/2010 - soyhead wrote: 91 Points
nose - intense blackberry liquer, cassis, dirt - gorgeous nose
mouth - juicy dark fruit, fully ripe, fine tannins, cocoa, mid bodied. Yum
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1/10/2010 - zinfidel wrote: 91 Points
Tasted at Paloma from a freshly opened bottle, not decanted. Tighter and more tannic than the 06, it was somewhat closed down. Enjoy the 05s and 06s now and cellar the 07 for a year or two. If you do open now, I suggest decanting for a few hours.
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12/19/2009 - salsipuedes wrote: 90 Points
I wasn't impressed by this wine. At 40+ dollars, theres plenty of far superior wines.
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11/26/2009 - Pierre Lim wrote: 92 Points
Nose of chocolate, tobacco and dark fruit. Flavors of casis, lots of cocoa, with a long smooth mouth feel finish. Very balanced and youthful and will get better with age. Had this wine with our Thanksgiving dinner, but I think the wine is better as a stand-alone.
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8/23/2009 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
2009 Family Winemakers Annual Tasting; 8/23/2009-8/24/2009 (Fort Mason, San Francisco, California): Lovely plum, black fruit, red plum nose; tart plum, berry palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (pre-release)
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