The 2021 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red captures the essence of this stellar low-yielding vintage: powerful yet refined, intense yet luscious. Aromas of lingonberry and boysenberry interplay with flickerings of green peppercorn, saddle leather, and forest floor, culminating in a beautifully lifted bouquet. The tightly wound palate frames a core of intense plum and cassis layered with licorice spice. Polished tannins give way to a mid-palate rich with macerated blackberry and freshly grated nutmeg. This articulate, broad-shouldered blend is poised to evolve gracefully over the next two decades. – Katie Vogt
Composition
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 1.5% Malbec
Vineyards
- Pahlmeyer Estate Vineyard,
- Stagecoach,
- Vangone,
- Upper Range
Proprietary Red: An Iconic Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend
Jayson Pahlmeyer's "California Mouton" - a rich, powerful Napa Valley Bordeaux blend called Proprietary RedRead More
Critics
95-97 Points
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, May 4, 2023
The 2021 Proprietary Red blends estate fruit from Stagecoach (37%) and the Pahlmeyer Estate Vineyard (24%) with purchased elements from Upper Range (34%) and Vangone (5%). The varietal composition is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aging 18 months in 94% new French oak, it will be bottled unfined and unfiltered. Right now, it offers compelling fruit-driven aromas of ripe cherries, cassis, and blueberries—the oak is well concealed. Full-bodied and rich, this is dense and velvety on the palate, with a long, mouthwatering finish, despite an ample amount of dusty tannins.
Winemaking
- Winemaker:
- Katie Vogt
- Alcohol:
- 14.9%
- Harvested:
- September 13 to October 19, 2021
- Bottled:
- July 2, 2023
- Released:
- March 15, 2024
We hand harvested each of our high-elevation sites in the cool of night and meticulously hand sorted and destemmed at the winery before fermenting and aging each lot separately. The individual lots were aged in nearly 100% new Taransaud oak barrels for 20 months. Stagecoach delivered power and intensity, while Upper Range exhibited exemplary classic mountain Cabernet character with gorgeous savory nuance and refined tannins. Waters Ranch brought depth and balance, and a touch of Vangone — a fantastic site that mirrors Stagecoach — lent even more richness and concentration. After blending, the wine was bottled in July 2023 for additional bottle age before release.
