2006, 2009, 2012 Pahlmeyer Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, "Waters Ranch" Napa Valley Petit Verdot & Napa Valley Merlot Tasting Lot

“There are 1,600 cases of the 2006 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, a 100% destemmed cuvee made from Dijon clones 667, 828, and 777. It reveals classic Cote de Nuits aromas of damp forest floor, black raspberries, cherries, and spring flowers. With terrific fruit, full body, ripe tannin, and a round, generous, savory mouthfeel already displaying tremendous complexity, it should drink well for 7-8 years. Almost half of the fruit comes from Pahlmeyer's own 24-acre Pinot Noir parcel at his Sonoma Coast vineyard called Wayfarer. Things just seem to get better and better at Pahlmeyer, a long-standing, brilliant, remarkably consistent source for one of Napa's finest Merlots, Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs. (RP)” (12/2008)

“Pretty aromas of red cherry, strawberry and flowers. Supple on entry, then tight in the middle, even slightly hard-edged, with intriguing suggestions of spice and orange rind. Quite closed on the back end and a bit youthfully ungiving today. (ST)” (06/2008)

“Full and black with fruit, this is a soft, minty Pinot. It's rounded by a honeyed sweetness from the oak. A rich wine for rare roast beef.” (02/2010)

“Shows candied apple, cherry, wild berry and huckleberry flavors. Medium-weight, spicy and floral, with a clean, vibrant finish that offers depth and complexity. (JL)” (05/2009)

“This continues to be a benchmark for Napa merlots for me with soft and velvety tannins, earth, mushroom and meat character. White truffle too. Unique nose. Full body and a juicy, long, long finish.” (07/2015)

“An unapologetically plump and flamboyant style that offers pure pleasure. Blackberry and spicy toast aromas lead to rich, complex flavors of black cherry and mocha, with a hint of dry herb. The finish lasts forever. (TF)” (11/2014)

“Often one of the top three or four Merlots made in California is the 2012 Merlot (91% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon). This has always been a winner and continues to be so, and probably no winery in California has had such a long succession of brilliant Merlots as Jayson Pahlmeyer. He has had some brilliant talent working with him over the years, including one of the first jobs Helen Turley took, followed by one of her assistants Erin Green. This wine exhibits dense plum/ruby/purple color, plenty of mocha, cherry jam and cassis. I wouldn’t say it’s one of their all-time great Merlots, but it’s top-flight. Very rich, it shows a broad spectrum of flavors and an expansive mouthfeel. (RP)” (10/2014)

“Good red-ruby. Slightly jammy aromas of dark berries, chocolate and graphite. Sweet, plush and broad, with mouthfilling flavors of dark cherry, cassis, cocoa powder and caramel. Not especially brisk or sharply delineated but finishes with sufficient energy, ripe tannins and very good sweetness and length. In the copious 2012 vintage, the merlot crop was close to five tons per acre on these densely planted vines (3 feet by 6), cropped to one cluster per shoot, according to winemaker Kale Anderson.” (05/2014)

“White truffle, smoke, licorice, tobacco and iron are some of the notes that emerge from the 2012 Merlot. Today, it is the wine's ferrous/savory notes that are most prominent. On the palate, the wine is a bit less generous, with firm tannins that remain unyielding. Readers need to give the 2012 at least a year or two in bottle to soften. Dollops of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon round out the blend. This is a fabulous set of wines from Pahlmeyer. Jayson Pahlmeyer's daughter, Cleo, is now running the show. The 2012s are the first wines Kale Anderson made from start to finish here, and they are superb. As is the case throughout the valley, the 2012s are plump and fruit-driven in style, while the 2013s show a little more acidity along with darker tonalities of fruit. (AG)” (12/2014)