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. The winemaking team is comprised of Kale Anderson who is Director of Winemaking for the Napa Valley vineyard and operations, and Bibiana González Rave as Consulting Winemaker overseeing the Sonoma Coast vineyard and operations.
This bottle was opened the evening of the American Canyon earthquake. The devestation in the Napa Valley is truly heartbreaking. Show your support for Napa Valley by opening a bottle from your favorite producer.
Dark crimson in color. 15.2% ABV. Incredible nose of red and blue fruits, cocoa powder and baking spices. Great mouthfeel. Almost like liquid silk. The palate has flavors of currants, cassis, chocolate truffle and blueberries. The finish is long and silky. Hitting its stride at 10 years of age but probably best over the next 2-3 years. Fantastic showing from one of the best Merlot producers in California.
My rating: 95 points.
Pahlmeyer wines are readily available at retail and via the winery. The 2011 Pahlmeyer Merlot should set you back about $75. I’ll be looking for a few bottles.
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Nice tasting note, Tom! I find it interesting that Jayson Pahlmeyer use to be a lawyer. There have been other lawyers who decided to pursue careers within the wine industry. For example, Robert Parker jumped from being a corporate attorney to starting the Wine Advocate. Jess Jackson use to be a real estate attorney and litigator before finding himself in the wine industry growing Chardonnay grapes, then making his own wine. Wine and law seem to go together in an odd sort of way.
I think you have found your calling!
You might be right! Cheers!