Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2023 vintage. Medium/medium-heavy body. Musky/musty nose. Definite weight and beeswax in the front palate. Sweetness, acidity and stone fruit influences dropping in for a visit on the back end. 04.09..25. — 7 days ago

Ely Cohn

9.6

Lots of beautiful happenings on a bed of chocolate pudding, raisiny fruit leathery notes and creeping volatile acid for that elevating effect I love.

Soft, plush, chewy, has some weight with zero grip and satin texture.

Cocoa, coffee, cassis, lavender, fruit leather and cedar. Departing breakfast of bacon and blueberry sausage - so long and goodbye. — 2 months ago

K L

9.6

Excellent! New year’s treat and wow was this as good as expected. Would love to stock up. — 3 months ago

with Matt

Paul J

9.7

1hr+ decant. Dark red color with slightly brown rims. Absolutely insane nose containing cedar, herbs, and tobacco. I would have guess first growth Bordeaux by the nose. Deep, juicy, high quality wine on the palate. Great depth and very long finish. This rocks!! — 11 days ago

with Brooke

Paul J

9.6

Light gold color. Complex nose filled with beeswax, camomile, white flowers, and something subtle and sweet like apple Now-And-Laters. Well balanced on the palate with good acidity and medium depth, but not as expressive as the nose, maybe some stone fruit and butter. Very good! — 2 months ago

with Brooke

Samir Bhalla

9.4

Cinnamon, red cherry, raspberries, roses, lavender, spices. Caramel and other dark flavors/ tartness follow through. The aromas blare from the glass. Medium body with the intensity of something fuller, manageable tannins. Lingers and wants to be paired with lamb or complex cheese. Brilliant on its own. — 3 months ago

Rani Yadav

9.3

Great red - had with Anaita Pete and Shireen after magic show — 8 days ago

Paul J

9.5

1hr+ decant. Dark cherry fruit, plums, and sweetness on the nose. Same on the palate, which included an awesome texture! Could drink this everyday, all day. High quality and very enjoyable! — a month ago

with Brooke

Anne Holmes

9.6

Bday dinner — 3 months ago

with Thomas

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!!! — 5 months ago

with Jim