Paloma Merlot 2009 – 96+ Points

I’ve been fortunate to sample every vintage of Paloma for the past decade and it always thrills but this 2009 is my highest rating ever. Complex aromas of black berry fruits, black stone fruits, semi-sweet chocolate, tobacco, spice and floral notes with a mineral overtone. On the palate the wine has a big silky mouth feel, well balanced, with flavors of berries, fruit, cocoa, cassis, and spice, and a long spicy finish that is tightly wound now with ultra-plush tannins. Enjoy now after decanting (pre-2013) or anytime until 2017, peaking in late 2015 in my estimate.

Buy this wine at Porthos.

Produced by Paloma.

Chateau Sergant Lalande de Pomerol 2005 – 93 Points

Deep in color and heady with the scents of cedar, crushed blackberry, and chocolate. Opulent and medium bodied, this wine exhibits a complex cache of flavors, including fresh berries, hints of violet. Medium-to-full body, with velvety tannins and a clean, fruity aftertaste. Fine, supple, and supremely elegant.

Buy this wine from Porthos.

The #1 “Cabernet Lovers Merlot”

Lewis Napa Merlot 2006 is the finest Merlot, guaranteed to thrill Cabernet lovers, of the vintage! When wine insiders describe a wine as “Merlot for Cabernet lovers” or “a Chardonnay that red wine lovers will enjoy” what does that mean? On one hand, it seems sort of silly because if you love Cabernet why bother purchasing or tasting Merlot? Our explanation is that wine collectors are inherently adventure seekers and always hoping for a new discovery to exhilarate the palate.
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PALOMA MERLOT 2006 = better than “Wine of the Year”!

INSIDER SCOOP: The owners of this tiny winery are old friends of Porthos.  We’ve been tracking their wine for 7 years now and the 2005 if their BEST YET featuring bold fruit and an ultra smooth texture! Ever since Wine Spectator rated this wine a “Classic” 95 points” and awarded it “#1 Wine of the Year” Paloma has soared to the top of the highly-sought-after Collector “must have” list! Funny ‘insider’ story is I’ll never forget when proprietor Jim Richards contacted me to enquire if I thought he should change the name of his wine to help boost sales since it was still undiscovered at that time. (more…)

VIDEO: Twomey Merlot 2004

Join us for a tasting of the new 2004 Twomey Merlot with Silver Oak/Twomey co-owner Tim Duncan and winemaker Daniel Baron at the winery’s new location on Westside Road in Sonoma County!
Click below to purchase any of the wines featured in this video:
Silver Oak’s Twomey Merlot 2004 – ($64)