Pahlmeyer

Napa Valley Merlot

9.352 ratings
9.210 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Chris McClellan

Soft, velvety chocolate, dark ripe berries, sweet espresso and vanilla. Easy to drink and delicious..

Soft, velvety chocolate, dark ripe berries, sweet espresso and vanilla. Easy to drink and delicious..

Mar 23rd, 2020
Shay A
9.4

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

Probably my WOTN. I guessed Napa merlot between 2012-2014. Really benefited from being decanted as it changed quite a bit. At first, it had some leather and herbal aromatics but after a while, it turned to more dark fruit and nutmeg. Very soft and round on the palate showing mocha and baked plums. Very enjoyable, but give it a decant if popping soon. Thanks
@Weston Eidson

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

Probably my WOTN. I guessed Napa merlot between 2012-2014. Really benefited from being decanted as it changed quite a bit. At first, it had some leather and herbal aromatics but after a while, it turned to more dark fruit and nutmeg. Very soft and round on the palate showing mocha and baked plums. Very enjoyable, but give it a decant if popping soon. Thanks
@Weston Eidson

Feb 13th, 2019
Patrick Derdeyn

A real cab drinkers merlot. Rich and lush, Cranked up to 15.2% but incredibly well balanced. Reminds me of the style of big paso wines, such big fruit but balanced by great acidity.

A real cab drinkers merlot. Rich and lush, Cranked up to 15.2% but incredibly well balanced. Reminds me of the style of big paso wines, such big fruit but balanced by great acidity.

Jan 20th, 2018
Andrew S

Deep, plush merlot which is drinking wonderfully already. Very soft and round and voluptuous in structure. Loads of dark berry fruit. Hints of coffee/cocoa. Had at the end of the evening, and fit very nicely there after several great bottles were opened with dinner. Thanks for hosting @Steven Aviles

Deep, plush merlot which is drinking wonderfully already. Very soft and round and voluptuous in structure. Loads of dark berry fruit. Hints of coffee/cocoa. Had at the end of the evening, and fit very nicely there after several great bottles were opened with dinner. Thanks for hosting @Steven Aviles

Jan 1st, 2018
Matt

Plush, rich, yet balanced by its muscular structure. Very deep and concentrated nose, palate is impactful and carries plenty of gras up front with breadth. Purple, round, weighty but just a joy to drink on xmas eve.

Plush, rich, yet balanced by its muscular structure. Very deep and concentrated nose, palate is impactful and carries plenty of gras up front with breadth. Purple, round, weighty but just a joy to drink on xmas eve.

1 person found it helpfulDec 25th, 2018
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Seventh of our seven year vertical tonight....Scratch that the 2014 and the 2003 came out too.

Deep ruby red. Notes of vanilla, gravel, cassis and floral herbs. Medium plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. A touch of coconut on the palate with some dark cocoa, cassis, blackberries and crushed gravel. Quite dry and long finish. Drink till 2028. (91+)

Seventh of our seven year vertical tonight....Scratch that the 2014 and the 2003 came out too.

Deep ruby red. Notes of vanilla, gravel, cassis and floral herbs. Medium plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. A touch of coconut on the palate with some dark cocoa, cassis, blackberries and crushed gravel. Quite dry and long finish. Drink till 2028. (91+)

1 person found it helpfulFeb 9th, 2018
Steven Sarkisian

Amazing wine for one as young as this, it tastes like a wine 10 yrs older.
95 merlot, 4% cab and 1% petit Verdot.
Intense color and concentrated flavors, this red is pretty stellar. The wine maker suggests this wine can be aged for 20 years.

Amazing wine for one as young as this, it tastes like a wine 10 yrs older.
95 merlot, 4% cab and 1% petit Verdot.
Intense color and concentrated flavors, this red is pretty stellar. The wine maker suggests this wine can be aged for 20 years.

1 person found it helpfulAug 31st, 2016
WC Fields

Great aromatics with layers of plums and blueberries. Decant did this nicely

Great aromatics with layers of plums and blueberries. Decant did this nicely

1 person found it helpfulJul 4th, 2016
William Feinstein

Patience has been rewarded. Still a big, fruit forward wine but the tannins have been well integrated. Blueberry, plum, cherry and dark chocolate dominate the palate. Great stuff. Should continue to drink well for 5+ years.

Patience has been rewarded. Still a big, fruit forward wine but the tannins have been well integrated. Blueberry, plum, cherry and dark chocolate dominate the palate. Great stuff. Should continue to drink well for 5+ years.

Jul 29th, 2021
Eric

Big, modern, varietally correct. A top Domestic Merlot IMO.

Big, modern, varietally correct. A top Domestic Merlot IMO.

Jan 26th, 2021