Pahlmeyer was founded in the mid-1980s when Jayson Pahlmeyer, a Bay Area lawyer, decided he preferred thinking about wine over reading legal briefs. Pahlmeyer produced its debut vintage in 1986. Bibiana González Rave is the current winemaker. Wines produced at Pahlmeyer include the flagship Proprietary Red, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec from a collection of vineyards including Caldwell, Thorevilos and Madrona Ranch. I decanted the wine for 30 minutes.
Crimson in color. 14.7% ABV. Breathtaking nose of cassis liqueur, scorched earth and molten licorice. Incredibly rich and concentrated. Currants, cassis, espresso and dark chocolate on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long. Truly about as good as a Cabernet Sauvignon based wine from Napa Valley gets. A timeless wine from an epic era for Pahlmeyer. Drink over the next 2-4 years.
My rating: 99 points.
The 2015 version of this wine, although pricey, is worth considering at about $150 per bottle
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