Paloma Merlot Spring Mountain District 2019

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.

Estate Notes: 

The 2019 is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is fermented and then aged in French oak—33% new—for 18 months before being bottled in the spring and aged for an additional 30 months before release. A dense ruby-purple in color, the 2019 Merlot reveals notes of strawberry jam intermixed with black cherries, oak, herbs, and a touch of chocolate. This is a medium-bodied offering that shows moderately tight tannins and a touch of sweetness up front. The wine will benefit from aeration and will pair beautifully with stuffed mushrooms and roasted pork loin.