Doug Powers

9.2

Earthy, meaty, definitely showing some Brett, but rich and complex flavors, excellent acidity, long finish, lovely Gigondas!! — 7 hours ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

8.7

Medium-ripe redfruit aromas and flavors, some oak as well, this is OK, but clearly lacks the depth and complexity (of course!?!?) of the 1986 Cos and 1987 Duckhorn Cab, clean, but too simple? — 5 days ago

with Monique and Jim

Doug Powers

8.8

Candied red cherry fruit, with a touch of sweetness, decent acidity, medium-long finish, solid Paso Robles Grenache! — 7 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.4

Aromas of bluefruits and earthy, mineral notes, similar flavors, like the 2009, this also shows lower ABV (13.4%), faint green bean/green olive note as well, both of these are close to showing as from the northern Rhône, really excellent Santa Rita Hills Syrah!! — a day ago

Doug Powers

8.8

Dark purple color, dark fruits, touch of cardboard initially, nice weight and balance, a little heat in the finish, solid! — 4 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

8.8

[Bottom of neck fill] This seems mature, just a little of a green note detracts, but otherwise nicely balanced fruit, medium-long finish, very good! — 5 days ago

with Jim and Monique

Doug Powers

9.3

So, Barbara and Jim Richards (RIP) planted 5 acres back in 1991 (1990?) of Syrah on the northeast (downslope) corner of their Paloma vineyard on Spring Mountain in what visually looked like a “low spot” (partially shaded and also maybe an area that maybe occasionally got standing water back in the days when California got enough rain). The rest of the vineyard was of course Merlot and also some Cabernet Sauvignon used mostly for blending with their fantastic mountain Merlot. The vineyard is just east of Pride Mountain and across the road from what used to be (??) Schweiger Vineyards.

Anyway, Bob Foley, who was making the wines for Pride in those early days, was consulting for Barbara and Jim early on, but I have ZERO information as to what involvement he had with the Syrah, if I recall correctly, the first Syrah in 1995 was less than a barrel (12-15 cases), and was aged in a super OLD, neutral barrel. My Chicago friends, who knew the Richards, dragged me along to taste that fateful day. That 1995 Syrah, first wine they ever made from those young Syrah vines, was, frankly, eye-opening and FANTASTIC, as I told Jim Richards that day. After tasting the INCREDIBLE 1995 Syrah, which was so northern Rhône-like and so pure, I begged Jim to sell me a bottle or two, but he politely declined. Later that day, after tasting the rest of their great wines, as we were leaving, Jim GAVE me a 4-pack box of that 1995 Syrah, which he wouldn’t accept any $$$ for, and that 1995 Syrah still in my memory remains the GREATEST CA Syrah I’ve ever tasted!!

As you can probably tell, I adored Jim and Barbara Richards, amazing people and generous to a fault!! Amazing people!!! I don’t think I ever met their son, Sheldon, but from all accounts he is continuing the tradition of great Paloma wines, though that great Syrah vineyard was pulled out in the early 2000s — Sheldon, if you happen to see this post, I welcome any corrections if I got any details wrong!!

Oh, and this Syrah is pretty dang good as well!!! — 8 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.3

Chalky, mineral aromas and flavors up front, cooler blue fruits show next, this was probably always my favorite of the Syrah vineyards Joey used, as it usually was the lowest in ABV (13.6% here) and thus showed more freshness and acidity, drinking beautifully tonight!! — a day ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Lovely sweet red cherry fruit and mineral notes as well, good acid and still quite youthful, medium-bodied, just a little bit of heat (14.9% ABV) shows in the medium-long finish, very good!! — 4 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.4

[Top neck fill level] This shows lovely red fruits, still pretty structured, fresh, very nice acidity, should continue to improve, long, lingering finish, really a super 1986 Bordeaux!! — 5 days ago

with Monique and Jim