More about the 2018 PALOMA SPRING MOUNTAIN MERLOT: Perched high on Spring Mountain above the fog line, Paloma Vineyard was founded in 1983 by Jim and Barbara Richards after a pivotal call from Dan Duckhorn encouraged them in their search for exceptional vineyard land. Over the next quarter century, the Richards family planted primarily Bordeaux varieties, establishing what would become one of Napa Valley’s most respected sources for Merlot. In 2003, their 2001 Paloma Merlot earned the #1 ranking on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, the first American Merlot ever to achieve that distinction, placing this Spring Mountain estate firmly in the national spotlight. Barbara’s connection to the vineyard was famously personal. She once remarked that she could name all 7,500 of her “children,” a reference to the vines she tended with unwavering attention. In 2003, their son Sheldon joined the estate full time, learning viticulture and winemaking alongside his parents and continuing the family’s hands-on approach to farming and production. The vineyard’s elevation and volcanic soils contribute to naturally structured fruit, shaped by cooler mountain temperatures and long growing seasons that preserve balance and depth. The 2018 Paloma Merlot reflects this lineage and site-driven discipline. As is customary for the estate, the wine incorporates approximately 15% Cabernet Sauvignon to reinforce structure and frame the fruit. Fermented and aged in French oak and bottle-aged prior to release, the 2018 vintage shows the hallmark integration for which Paloma is known: mountain-grown intensity supported by refined tannins and composure. It stands as a continuation of a legacy built patiently on Spring Mountain, where elevation, family stewardship, and a singular focus on Merlot define the estate’s identity.