Pahlmeyer Merlot Napa Valley(1995)

Tasting Notes: Intense purple color, with chocolate, raspberry and cherry-like flavors. Full bodied with depth and a long, rich finish. These red grapes are picked fully ripe, brought to the winery in small bins, and destemmed only. The whole berries are then fermented with wild yeasts. This is followed by malolactic fermentation with indigenous yeasts in small French oak barrels. The Merlot is aged in a combination of new (80%) and one-year-old barrels for approximately 18 months and then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Interestingly, this red grape regime of whole berry fermentation read more...in small lots softens tannins and magnifies fruit flavors.

Ratings:

The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker, Jr. 94 "This is an awesomely-endowed full-bodied, pedal to the metal style of Merlot with richness in addition to a knock-out nose of blackberry, raspberry, mocha and smoky aromas that soar from the glass. The wine has a sweet attack (from its formidable glycerin and extract level, not sugar) full body, extraordinary layers of concentrated fruit, and a blockbuster finish. Amazingly, the wine, like its 1996 counterpart, possesses gorgeously integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol. Can California Merlot get any better than this? Both of these Merlots will drink well when released, and last for 15-20 years." Also rated in barrel (92-96) "The 1995 Merlot appears to be a worthy rival of the exquisite 1994. The 1995 displays an opaque, deep purple color, sweet, mocha, chocolately, raspberry and cherry-like flavors, full body, gorgeous sweetness and depth, and a long, richly layered finish. This wine should drink well for 15+ years."    (hide)