2008 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red Napa Valley 1x750ml

Robert Parker 93

The 2008 Proprietary Red Wine blend (essentially a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec blended in) has a more opaque/purple color. With more graphite, blueberry and lilac notes, sweet tannin, medium to full body, and an elegant, gracious feel, it is more restrained than previous examples but has no shortage of richness and concentration. It looks to be a beauty in a Bordeaux style, with sweet tannins but loads of fruit ” unmistakably California but French in structure. Drink it over the next 15+ years. Tel. (707) 255-2321; Fax (707) 255-6786 [23/12/2010]

Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025

Vinous 93

(cabernet sauvignon with 8% merlot, 6% cabenet franc, 3% petit verdot and 1% malbec): Good deep ruby-red. Complex nose melds briary black raspberry, black cherry, licorice, bitter chocolate and wild herbs. Concentrated, lush and intense, with very good purity to the nicely delineated dark fruit, spice and floral flavors. A hint of wild herbs adds complexity. The serious, broad tannins are sweeter than those of the merlot and arrive late. Winemaker Erin Green notes that the 2008 reds have some light herbal qualities, "but nothing like the 2005s or 2003s, which were both more complex after five years in the bottle." [Stephen Tanzer, 05/01/2011]