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.
89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon from Pahlmeyer Estate and Rancho Chimiles vineyards.
Purple in color. 15.2% ABV. Sublime nose of black and blue fruits, licorice, violets and smoke. Full bodied, rich, plush and well balanced. Currants, cassis liqueur, plum sauce and black raspberries on the palate. The finish is long and seamless. Just a stunning Merlot that is drinking at its peak right now. About as good as California Merlot gets. Drink over the next 1-2 years.
My rating: 94 points.
The 2017 version of this wine, although pricey, is worth considering at about $90 per bottle