Expect dense black cherry, plum, mocha, vanilla, and graphite with full body, ripe tannins, and a long, oak-framed finish. The 2015 Napa vintage was warm and produced concentrated, structured wines.
- Varietal
- Merlot-dominant (Pahlmeyer's Merlot typically includes small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec)
- Region
- USA / California / Napa Valley
- Body
- Full
- Style
- dry red, opulent, oak-aged, age-worthy
The producer
Pahlmeyer was founded by Jayson Pahlmeyer in 1986 with the goal of producing a "California Mouton" — a cult Bordeaux-style blend. The winery achieved fame partly thanks to Helen Turley's early winemaking and gained pop-culture recognition through the film "Disclosure."
What critics say
Pahlmeyer's Merlot is consistently rated among California's most ambitious examples of the variety, regularly drawing scores in the low- to mid-90s.
Pairing
Filet mignon, lamb chops, mushroom-stuffed eggplant