Paloma Merlot Spring Mountain District 2017

We all know the proverb - in Napa Valley, Cab is King - but it isn't the only Bordeaux variety that thrives here. While it may not get the recognition it deserves, Napa Valley Merlot also warrants a spot on our dinner table. And I'm here to steer you towards the most classic producer of this varietal in the valley - Paloma! Vintage after vintage, the wine continues to astound us, and we feel lucky to be able to share the wine and its story with you. 

Paloma Merlot has topped the charts for decades now, and the family has built quite the 'cult' following since its creation in the mid-80s. Jim and Barbara Richards were introduced to the property, five miles northwest of St. Helena atop Spring Mountain, by their dear friend Dan Duckhorn. After purchasing the land, they planted Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and eventually Syrah. These vineyards are eastern facing and start 2,060 feet above sea level at the bottom of their estate and reach up to 2,240 feet at the top! The soils are predominantly Franciscan sandstone, which is debris washed down from the ancient Sierra Nevada range and the younger Sonoma Volcanics. Eastern-facing vineyards are hailed as excellent growing sites because they receive gentle morning sun instead of the intense afternoon heat that many western-facing vineyards must manage. The morning sun quickly dries dew and rain in these vineyards, preventing rot and mold and allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and consistently. Greeted by the sunrise, Jim and Barbara would spend the last thirty years of their lives dedicated to their vineyard and the craft of winemaking and winegrowing. Though the loving couple has passed on, their only child, Sheldon, has taken the reins and continues to champion his family's legacy and wines. Because of his life-long dedication to the property and continued meticulous work, the quality of the Paloma wines has never missed a beat despite the loss of the founders. The Paloma Merlot has won just about every accolade a winery might hope to achieve through the years, Wine Spectator's Number One Wine of the Year chief among them. 

The 2017 bottling is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was fermented and aged in 33% new French oak for 18 months before being bottled. Once bottled, it was then further aged for 24 months before being released. The wine opens with aromas of dark plum, blackberry, and just a hint of thyme. The palate presents a rich and robust mouthfeel with further notes of ripe, black fruits before leading to an elegant and lingering finish. The wine is stunning in its youth but will age gracefully over the next 10 to 15 years.