2023
Pahlmeyer Savoir Faire

In the remarkable 2023 vintage, Block GM5 at Stagecoach Vineyard consistently emerged as the standout lot, earning its place as the vintage’s perpetual standout. This single 2.3-acre block of Old Wente clone, planted in 2015 at 1,600 feet elevation, showcased extraordinary expression throughout the cool growing season. After malolactic fermentation — during which the wine was stirred biweekly — it became evident that this was undeniably the very best of the vintage—one of those wines that, tasting it in the cellar as it evolved, truly thrilled. The wine was aged in 100% new François Frères heavy toast oak puncheons and one standard barrel for 17 months — allowing the oak to integrate more subtly, creating a textural element rather than dominant toasty or nutty characteristics. The wine was bottled in March 2024, unfined and unfiltered, representing our finest expression of this exceptional block and vintage. – Katie Vogt