2021 Paloma Merlot Estate, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 95+ Points
Young and clearly age-worthy from the first sip, the 2021 opens with a focused medley of dark plum, blackberry and bright dark cherry fruit aromas in fine harmony with scents of licorice root, mocha, black truffle, coffee toffee and baking spice, everything poised above strong minerality. In the mouth it proves lean and racy in texture, as prominent notes of minerality, zest and tannic grip streamline focused, lingering flavors youthfully dominated by dark berry, plum and cherry. Well balanced for food service and more so as it airs, it is sure to grow steadily for the next three or four years and will likely hold nicely long after that.