Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Surprise 2009 Napa Merlot tasting after the Pahlmeyer tasting.

Deep purplish ruby red. Lovely nose with notes of gunpowder, tobacco, dark berries, lavender, lilac and a touch of gravel. Medium tannins (7/10) and medium plus body. Lots of dark berries, sweet spices and woody. Long finish. Drink till 2022. — 6 years ago

with Sean and India

Michael Walker

9.8

Need to try other btl on its own. This one suffered by comparison with Pahlmeyer immediately prior — 7 years ago

with p

Bill Schallert

9.3

Rich intense wine. Quite delicious. — 8 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Sublime. Initially, it's difficult for me to say whether this wine sees oak, but I love it because of that.
On the nose, I detect nuts, toast and a hint of barrel toast. The palette is completely delineated. Nectarines and tense citrus fruits are evident. The wine has a wonderfully light mouthfeel. Acidity is still bright, and the finish just keeps going. At its zenith now, but should continue to evolve for another 5 - 7 years or so. — 8 years ago

Christanna Honer

9.8

Hot damn. This is a sexy beast. Emphasis on the beast- this ain't your grandma's merlot. This is showing tons of vanilla-tobacco, ripe and dried cherry/plum, tea leaf, a definite mineral earthy dusty character reminiscent of an Italian super Tuscan. Bramble and sachet notes linger in the background. Palate just takes it home, driven by great acidity. No disrespect to Pahlmeyer, but hands down best domestic Merlot I've had. — 9 years ago

George Yasutake

9.4

Smoother than 05 Pahlmeyer cab. Great finish! — 9 years ago

Monika Elling

9.2

Nice balance and a lovely winter white paired with crab stuffed shrimp. — 9 years ago

Jasmine Hirsch

Sales & Marketing Hirsch Vineyards, founder In Pursuit of Balance

9.0

Jayson Pahlmeyer sent my dad this bottle, made from a parcel of Wayfarer planted with Hirsch cuttings. So cool. #drinkingwithdad — 9 years ago

Simon Haidamous

9.4

Great structure even for a 2012. I could not resist opening this after the Pahlmeyer. — 9 years ago

Gregory Fulchiero

9.5

Very nice - could pass for Pahlmeyer merlot - will be outstanding with time — 10 years ago

Bret Barker

9.2

Drinking young again- decanted an hour or do. Much more structure than the pahlmeyer merlot we had. Solid tannins but very approachable. Classic napa valley cab with black currant, oak and a tough of graphite. — 6 years ago

with Jason

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.0

Pear honey. Smooth. 2015 — 6 years ago

William Feinstein

9.0

Beautiful nose of graphite and allspice. A hint of bell pepper and black tea on the palate. Still has good structure. Don't see it getting better from here. Good bottle of wine but unfair for it to follow the Pahlmeyer and ADV. — 7 years ago

Joe Flo

9.0

Not as good as other 2008 blends. Would prefer Pahlmeyer, Peter Michael, Carter or Tor blends of 08 vintage instead. — 8 years ago

David L

9.0

15' Kale Rose 97% Grenache 3% Mourvèdre. Kale Anderson is the current director of winemaking for Pahlmeyer .

Palate is tart-Swedish fish candy, Slurpee(when it starts to melt ) melon core, bright acidity & spices! Just sitting on the deck & enjoying a glass with my better half. — 8 years ago

Michael Okusa

9.1

Raspberry, ripe cherry backed by intense acidity and earthy forest floor. Stunning! — 9 years ago

BigCat

10

This is absolutely one of our favorite wines. Right there with the 2004 Pahlmeyer. — 9 years ago

John Skupny - Lang & Reed Wine Company

9.0

Warning - inside job - more massive than I would have expected, the Pahlmeyer Merlot was big ass over the L&R Franc - still had incredible aromatics. #PNV15 — 9 years ago

Michael Young

Area Manager/Italian Specialist Fine Wine Portfolio, Palm Bay International, Certified Sommelier Court of Master Sommelier, Certified Sommelier Associazione Sommelier Italiano

9.5

Amazing. Comparable to Pahlmeyer. — 9 years ago

with Fabio

William Feinstein

9.3

The Pahlmeyer family hits it out of the park with their new project. Put this right up there with DuMol, Red Car and Radio Coteau. Great richness and mouthfeel for a pinot. Sad I only ordered a case! — 9 years ago

GMW

9.3

Magnum for NYE dinner. Great depth and concentration. Still quite youthful. Cherry profile, superb balance and long finish. Held its own against Pahlmeyer and Forman reds. — 6 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.2

A little austere with big structure, the black fruit is compelling — 6 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.3

Probably my WOTN for MJ night (by a whisker over the Pahlmeyer). Great pairing for loud supersized toy trucks! Thanks @Steve Anderson. — 7 years ago

LM Segal

9.3

Blew the group away blind...thought it was a Pahlmeyer or similar hi-end Napa Merlot, which says a lot. Espresso and milky-dark chocolate. My gut tells me this has a long way to go. — 8 years ago

Maire ONeill

9.4

This wine was amazing silky smooth mouth feel with well integrated tannins - velvety, dark chocolate. At Press, St. Helena wine dinner — 9 years ago

Rob Sternthal

9.2

Pahlmeyer-esque, but just not quite there. A little more tart. May need a slight decant. I was right. Better after time. Needed an hour. — 9 years ago

Moin Rastegar,C.S.W

9.4

One of the most exciting CA Rose' with 85% Gernache & 15% Syrah. Kale Anderson 's side boutique project !
He is also the head winemaker at Pahlmeyer winery! — 9 years ago

Peter Coticchia

9.5

Wow! One of the best Cabs I've had. Reminds me a lot of a Pahlmeyer. This was amazing from the first smell and taste. Great bouquet and very smooth. — 9 years ago

Charlene Tay

9.0

2011. Very aromatic! Ripe strawberries. Light, clean tasting, with nice acidity. Tasting this next to the Pahlmeyer really helped me learn the difference between Burgundian and Californian pinot noirs. — 9 years ago

Rachel Macalisang

Lead Sommelier - The Bazaar by José Andrés

9.0

New project from mr pahlmeyer! — 10 years ago