Pahlmeyer Napa Merlot 2021 750ml

The debut Pahlmeyer red from the stellar 2021 vintage is a thrill to experience, a wine that matches intensity with elegance, beautifully articulated and built to age. Aromas of blackberry and cassis leap from the glass with an underscore of black olive and dark earth. The palate is muscular yet refined, alithe dance of richness and nuance. A focused core of fresh dark fruit—blackberry, boysenberry, and black plum is enveloped in polished tannins that lend a weighty grip without overpowering. A lifting note of lingon berry jam runs long through the finish, interplaying with hints of cedar, fresh leather, and sage that echo long on the finish. Open this wine and pour a glass without decanting to experience the intense aromatics and fresh fruit character of this wine in its youth. Then, taste it again the following day and perhaps even the day after to see how the wine opens and nuances emerge. There’s no question this wine will age beautifully over the next two decades.

Pair with wild mushroom risotto or roasted rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic.