I do not believe it is an exaggeration to say that Pahlmeyer's Merlot is now the finest being produced in California. One might quibble over other styles of Merlot, but no producer achieves more complexity, flavor, and thrills per sip than Pahlmeyer. The 1995 Merlot is an awesomely-endowed, full-bodied, pedal to the metal style of Merlot with great richness in addition to a knock-out nose of blackberry, raspberry, mocha, and smoky aromas that soar from the glass. The wine has a sweet attack (from its formidable glycerin and extract level, not sugar), full body, extraordinary layers of concentrated fruit, and a blockbuster finish. Amazingly, the wine, like its 1996 counterpart, possesses gorgeously integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol. Can California Merlot get any better than this? This wine will drink well when released, and last for 15-20 years. If great wine satisfies both the palate and the intellect, the Pahlmeyer offerings reviewed in this segment are prodigious. Despite the forward drinkability of these reds, all of them will last for 20-25 years. These are mind-boggling efforts. This is another winery where getting on the mailing list is essential to securing a few bottles of these liquid gems. With each new vintage I am blown away by Pahlmeyer's wines. Lest anyone forget, the genius of consulting winemaker Helen Turley is behind these wines. I kept retasting them, thinking I was being too generous, but they justly deserve their lofty numerical ratings. They are as exciting as anything a wine lover could taste. Tel. (707) 255-2321; fax (707) 255-6786

I do not believe it is an exaggeration to say that Pahlmeyer's Merlot is now the finest being produced in California. One might quibble over other styles of Merlot, but no producer achieves more complexity, flavor, and thrills per sip than Pahlmeyer. The 1995 Merlot is an awesomely-endowed, full-bodied, pedal to the metal style of Merlot with great richness in addition to a knock-out nose of blackberry, raspberry, mocha, and smoky aromas that soar from the glass. The wine has a sweet attack (from its formidable glycerin and extract level, not sugar), full body, extraordinary layers of concentrated fruit, and a blockbuster finish. Amazingly, the wine, like its 1996 counterpart, possesses gorgeously integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol. Can California Merlot get any better than this? This wine will drink well when released, and last for 15-20 years.If great wine satisfies both the palate and the intellect, the Pahlmeyer offerings reviewed in this segment are prodigious. Despite the forward drinkability of these reds, all of them will last for 20-25 years. These are mind-boggling efforts.This is another winery where getting on the mailing list is essential to securing a few bottles of these liquid gems.With each new vintage I am blown away by Pahlmeyer's wines. Lest anyone forget, the genius of consulting winemaker Helen Turley is behind these wines. I kept retasting them, thinking I was being too generous, but they justly deserve their lofty numerical ratings. They are as exciting as anything a wine lover could taste.Tel. (707) 255-2321; fax (707) 255-6786