Pahlmeyer 2014 Merlot, Napa Valley

Produced under the discerning eye of Jayson Pahlmeyer the grapes for this 2014 Merlot were all sourced from his estate vineyards in Napa Valley. Grape clusters were gravity-fed onto a vibrating table where two screens sifted out materials other than grapes, and any fruit that did not pass visual inspection was removed  by hand. After gentle destemming, individual  berries were hand-sorted again to ensure that only the best grapes were delivered to the fermenters. The fruit underwent five days of cold maceration and two to six weeks of primary fermentation before gentle basket press. The wine aged in 85% new Seguin Moreau Icone and Taransaud French Oak barrels for 20 months.

Robert Parker scored this 94 points saying "The 2014 Merlot is a blend of 94.5% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. It has a dense purple color, although not as saturated as the 2015 or 2013, with a beautiful fruited nose of blackberry, plum, chocolate, mocha and espresso. The aromatics are killer and then the wine hits the palate with a medium to full-bodied lushness and an expression that says, 'Kiss me!' This is a delicious, front-end loaded, full-bodied Merlot to drink over the next 15 or so years. Pahlmeyer certainly has one of the most consistently superb resumés for the last 30 years that any winery could desire."

and James Suckling scored it 97 saying "Blackberries, blueberries, forest floor and hints of Spanish cedar. Full-bodied and tight with firm and silky tannins and long and beautiful focus. Goes on for minutes. Terrific wine. Drink or hold."