Laura's Tasting Notes: The 2004 Paloma Syrah

October 29, 2024
The 2004 Syrah pours a clear amber, hinting at the aging and refinement it has undergone over two decades. On the nose, its aromas are subtle, carrying a soft earthiness underscored by delicate cranberry notes that gradually unfold with each swirl. The palate offers a robust, savory profile, showcasing the vineyard's terroir with an unembellished honesty—a result of the Richards family's choice to age this Syrah exclusively in neutral French oak. This method allowed the vineyard's natural character to shine, producing a wine that embodies the essence of Spring Mountain's unique microclimate. Upon tasting, the wine exhibits a structured texture with tannins that settle toward the back of the palate, paired with a chewy acidity on the finish. This balance between tannin and acidity has granted the wine remarkable longevity, allowing it to develop into a complex and mature expression of Syrah.
Twenty years after harvest, this Syrah reflects the beauty and depth achievable with patience and respect for the land. This tasting experience holds special meaning for the family, Barbara’s handy work is on the label. Originally grown as the Richards “house spaghetti wine” and pulled from their personal inventory, this small production, 100% estate Syrah is the last estate vintage produced by the family.

Tasting Tip:  

Decant this wine, but not too long. Decanting older wines is a balance. Decant too much and the wine loses its flavor; decant too little and it is not as expressive as it could be. This 20 year old wine seems to show best around 45 min of decanting. This allows it to soften its hot nose and back pallet tannins. 
Syrah is a unique varietal in that it ebbs and flows through its life in the bottle. It is also known for its ageability! Syrah’s tend to cellar very well for longer periods of time. However, this Syrah is drinking well now, so we recommend opening it and enjoying it while the going is good! 
By caston August 18, 2025
At Paloma, Merlot is the soul of our story. It is the grape that founders Jim & Barbara fell in love with on their journey to Spring Mountain.  Picture this: it’s the late 1970s, and Barbara and Jim are visiting the Duckhorn vineyard, tasting their famed Three Palms Merlot. They lean into a sip and feel stirred—not just by the wine’s richness, but by its quiet elegance. That moment sparked something. They looked at each other and thought, “This is the wine we want to make. These are grapes we have to grow.” Before they even found the site, they had their hearts set on Merlot. By the time they found the raw land at the top of Spring Mountain, there was no changing their minds. Back then, planting Merlot at that elevation was almost unheard of—too cool, too risky. But they trusted their instincts and took the leap.
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