Pahlmeyer “Les Élus”
Current Release
2021
The 2021 “Pièce de Résistance” is a commanding expression of mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, showcasing the profound concentration and intensity of the vintage. Inky dark crimson in the glass, the wine reveals captivating aromas of ripe plum, leather, and subtle tea leaf, underpinned by a delicate floral lift of violet and lavender. The palate is equally powerful: dark, concentrated, and incredibly rich, with layers of rich black plum, blackberry, and blueberry framed by thick, velvety tannins that evolve beautifully over time. A streak of vibrant acidity balances the bold structure and ensures exceptional aging potential. The finish lingers with an echo of cracked black pepper, graphite, and cocoa nib. Decanting is recommended for early enjoyment, but this wine will reward patience, revealing even greater depth and dimension over the next 25 years.
– Katie Vogt, Winemaker
Vintages
Current Release
2021
I’ve never tasted a Cabernet Franc like this — so finely detailed, harmonious, and complete. The wine opens with layered aromas of bramble berries, spicy, earthy clove, and freshly ground anise seed. The palate is full-bodied and plush, with a juicy, expansive fruit core and a touch of warming spice, underscored by savory notes of forest floor, crushed rock, and graphite. A beautiful floral lift of violet emerges mid-palate, accompanied by a persistent finish of macerated blackcurrant, plum, and cassis, as polished, well-integrated tannins counterbalance fresh acidity. While approachable now, the wine has the potential to age gracefully for the next two decades. A couple of hours in the decanter will enhance its already impressive complexity.
— Katie Vogt, Winemaker
Vintages
Current Release
2023
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
Vintages
Pahlmeyer Icons
Current Release
2024
The 2024 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay is quintessential Pahlmeyer: ultra-rich and concentrated, yet beautifully balanced with lively freshness. Intense aromas of orange blossom, orange zest, and neroli open into notes of tangerine and Meyer lemon, as a hint of crushed almond and baking spice adds complexity. On the palate, this Chardonnay delivers striking intensity and weight, broadening across the mid-palate with layers of citrus, ripe apricot, and a touch of green apple. Toasted brioche and vanilla bean emerge as the wine opens, while vibrant, mouthwatering acidity carries through to a long, lingering finish. This is mountain Chardonnay at its most expressive — opulent yet focused, built to evolve gracefully over the next decade.
– Katie Vogt, Winemaker
Vintages
Current Release
2023
The 2023 Pahlmeyer Merlot is dynamic and captivating: layered and nuanced, revealing its depth and power over time. Aromas of new saddle leather, violet, and a hint of Castelvetrano olive give way to brambly blackberry, fresh plum, and dark raspberry. On the palate, the wine is densely flavorful yet remarkably fresh, with a concentrated core of dark fruit — black plum, raspberry, blackberry — framed by fine grained tannins. Dusty cocoa and subtle earthiness emerge as the wine opens, while vibrant acidity drives expansiveness and energy. The finish is long and lifted, with echoes of dark chocolate and warm spice. While the fruit is tightly wound in its youth, this wine is drinking beautifully. Decant for several hours before serving or enjoy it over the course of a few days to experience how it opens and evolves. A collector’s vintage, this wine will age gracefully for up to three decades in the cellar. – Katie Vogt, Winemaker
Vintages
Current Release
2023
The 2023 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red opens with a rush of layered aromatics: deep herbal notes with lilac and lavender leading to a core of plum and dark cherry. Sagebrush and a fine thread of graphite minerality lend savory depth, a hallmark of the wine’s high-elevation mountain fruit. The palate reveals the paradox of the vintage: elegant and restrained on entry, then unfolding with building power and remarkable intensity. Fine tannins frame dark concentrated fruit bolstered by a beam of fresh acidity, as the long finish echoes with toasty spice and a dusty cocoa. Tightly wound in its youth, the 2023 promises exceptional evolution over the next two decades. – Katie Vogt, Winemaker
Vintages
