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. Jennifer Williams is the current winemaker. Wines produced at Pahlmeyer include the flagship Proprietary Red, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In late 2019 Pahlmeyer was purchased by Gallo.
Purple in color. 15.5% ABV. Decanted for two hours. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and small parts Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Sublime nose of black fruits, molten licorice, Whitman Sampler box and leather. Full bodied and notably well balanced. Impressive concentration and power. Black currants, cassis liqueur, coffee and chocolate on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Even at 18 years of age the potential for the wine to get better in the years to come is undeniable. Best over the next 3-5 years.
My rating: 97 points.
The 2017 version of Proprietary Red is available at the winery and retail for around $200.