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 Gallo purchased Pahlmeyer.
Purple in color. 15.2% ABV. Sublime nose of black and blue fruits, Whitman Sampler Box, molten licorice and violets. Full bodied with tremendous acidity and balance. Dark and toasty with subdued fruits. It took some coaxing and airtime for the wine to start shining. Blackberry, blueberry, smoke and tobacco on the palate. The finish is long with gritty, drying tannins. Good wine but lacking the opulence I expect from Pahlmeyer. Best over the next 1-2 years.
My rating: 92 points.
I’ve always loved Pahlmeyer wines. The Proprietary Reds made by Helen Turley in the mid to late 90’s are benchmark wines for me.