2017 Pahlmeyer, Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 1x750ml

Robert Parker 94

The 2017 Pahlmeyer, bottled at the beginning of September, contains no Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc this year, as that fruit was smoke tainted. Only Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot made the cut this year. Very deep garnet-purple colored, it delivers provocative blueberry preserves, baked plums and black forest cake scents followed by creme de cassis, dark chocolate, cedar chest and pencil lead with a waft of camphor. Medium to full bodied, the palate delivers impressive intensity with earthy layers offering lots of interest to the intense black fruit preserves, framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing long with loads of energy. [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 15/10/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2020-2038

Vinous 93+

The 2017 Proprietary Red is succulent, racy and quite promising. Sweet red cherry, plum, pomegranate and exotic spice notes are front and center. Radiant and open-knit, with tremendous fruit intensity, Pahlmeyer’s Proprietary Red could turn out to be one of the surprises of 2017. This is the only red wine Pahlmeyer will bottle in 2017. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. [Antonio Galloni, 14/12/2018]