2005 Pahlmeyer Red
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec. Aged nearly 18 months in 80% new French oak. First vintage 1986. Earthy and a little sweaty on the nose, a hit of barnyard in with the dried fruit. Sweet and sour, showing quite mature and smoky. Much more savoury than other 2005s at this tasting. (TP)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
As for the 2005 Proprietary Red, it is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% each Petit Verdot and Malbec. While this might not be the blockbuster one would expect, there is outstanding depth, purity and overall texture and ripeness. Again, terrific acidity gives the wine vigor and precision, despite a lofty 15.2% alcohol. The wine is fresh and pure, with black raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, some white floral notes, and the telltale forest floor. This is a wine to drink over the next 10-15+ years. Pahlmeyer’s wines age well, as I am still working off the 1995 and 1996 Proprietary Reds, which remain in great shape.
Very seductive, with rich, succulent black fruit, creamy oak and sizeable yet highly polished tannins. Complex notes of graphite, cedar, spice box and liquorice. Despite its 15.2 per cent alcohol, it’s remarkably balanced and irresistible. 84 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon. (LM) $125