2001 Paloma Merlot- USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District (4/5/2016)
In honor of Barbara. Last had a bottle of this in 2010 right after my dad passed away…it has always been a favorite wine of mine…and the best domestic Merlot I’ve had. Cellared since release…open in bottle for 1 1/2 hrs…perfect cork…dark as a barrel sample, gorgeous nose of gooey chocolate brownies, dusty cherry, plum liqueur, exotic wood spices…in the mouth…such youth still…round and silky smooth, yet solid in structure with dusty dry tannins. Everything is in perfect place here…and tasty as ever…liqueured berries, white pepper spice, tilled earth, creme de cassis, tobacco leaves…just a tad bit of sour skin…long mouth coating finish with a nice acidic spice kick. Well stored bottles should drink well for many many more years…I hope all the wines you and Jim are now making in Heaven are as wonderful as this one. Cheers! (97 pts.)
I have 1 bottle left from my original 12. They are excellent, I’m not sure best California Merlot ever excellent. Pride Claret, and regular merlot from that year were also pretty terrific. I have to admit I did sell 2 bottles after the wine of the year. At $250 per bottle I could not resist.