Pahlmeyer Napa Red 2018

Exquisitely cellar-worthy, the 2018 Proprietary Red Napa Valley will reward patience over the next decade or more. This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend opens with aromas of wild blackberry, cocoa and supple leather. Deep and beautifully structured, with elegant, lengthy tannins matched by ideal balance. Dark and opaque, the concentrated, complex palate brings generous notes of forest berries and black currant, layered with hints of freshly turned earth, aromatic herbs and dark spices, evolving into a long, energetic finish.Blend: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 1% Cabernet FrancDeep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red Blend is fairly shut down to begin. With swirling, it delivers vibrant scents of fresh blackcurrant and black berries plus hints of wild thyme, damp soil, black olives and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound with loads of herbal and mineral sparks among the crunchy black fruits, with a firm, grainy texture and a lively backbone, finishing with tons of energy and persistence. 96 pts RBDark and winey, with cassis, plum reduction and blackberry paste flavors allied to a singed alder and apple wood backdrop. Delivers dark tobacco and espresso crema accents that line the finish, as the fruit moves through slowly. For fans of the powerful style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 94 pts WA