AJ McClellan
Dave Landis, the regional sales manager for Pahlmeyer, came in today to taste us on his lineup of Pahlmeyer, which has always held a special place in my heart. Pahlmeyer started its rise to fame under the control of legendary wine maker Randy Dunn, receiving a surprising 94 points from Robert Parker for its first vintage in 1986. After Randy left, another legend stepped up to take his place – Helen Turley. Under Helen’s guidance the vineyard become even more prestigious due to her rigorous standards for vineyard control and grape quality. Now Pahlmeyer is being directed by Erin Green, who has been Helen’s protégé since 1985, before she came to Pahlmeyer, and has continued her legacy of producing fantastic wines for us all to enjoy.
2007 Pahlmeyer Napa Chardonnay – Big green pear up front with a soft, rich butter in the background. Crisp green apple, orange peel, and citrus on the palate with a touch of popcorn on the back reminding me of a great Meursault. A surprisingly nice minerality on the finish and while the wine has gone through a significant amount of malolactic fermentation it has managed to keep a crisp acidity that keeps the wine in balance.
2006 Pahlmeyer Jayson Pinot Noir – Red raspberry cobbler and ripe red cherries up front, with a slight spice lingering on the back of the nose. Explosive on the palate with bramble, big spicy cherry, lavender, cinnamon, and sandal wood, and extremely expressive with a very aggressive mid-palate. Finish of cherry pith, plum extract, and a slight stemminess that adds a pleasant complexity.
2006 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red – Black raspberries and blackcurrant, with a dark brooding spice of clove, anise, and cinnamon intermingled with a slight back of cranberries. Tobacco, leather, clove, nutmeg, cigar box, and roasted blueberries on the palate, with a dose of barnyard giving the wine a earthy Old World feel.