Pahlmeyer 2015 Proprietary Red, Napa Valley

Pahlmeyer Red is one of Napa Valley's most iconic wines. Produced under the discerning eye of Jayson Pahlmeyer and his winemaker Kale Anderson, it's a wine that continually receives rave reviews and accolades. This wine from the excellent 2015 vintage is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot sourced from the Pahlmeyer Estate, Stagecoach and Rancho Chimiles vineyards. The grapes were all triaged and selected by hand at the winery. The fruit underwent five days of cold maceration and two to six weeks of primary fermentation before gentle basket press. The wine then aged in 85% new Seguin Moreau Icone and Taransaud French Oak barrels for 20 months. James Suckling scored this 97 points saying "This is so balanced and articulated with precise aromas of currants, blackberries and cherries, as well as a mint character. Full body, firm and fine tannins and a juicy, subtle finish. Drink in 2021." and the Wine Advocate also scored it 97 points saying "The proprietary red wine blend has always been dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, but it includes other Bordeaux varieties as well. It is kept 22-24 months in 100% new oak. The 2015 Proprietary Red Wine, a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and the rest Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, has super concentration, a massive mouthfeel, heady, intense flavors of black and blue fruits, chocolate, wood spice and barbecue notes. It is a killer effort and, as so many of the 2015s, another magnificent vintage for Northern California."