2005 Pahlmeyer Merlot
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Merlot from their holdings on Atlas Peak has fresh brambleberry, mulberry and mocha-infused fruit, medium to full body, excellent acidity, and wonderful vibrancy and vigor. It is youthful at age 10. The alcohol level is listed at 15.2%, but again, it is completely hidden by the wine’s wealth of concentration. This wine can be drunk now, but promises to hold and even evolve for another 10-15 years.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good red-ruby. Dark fruit aromas complicated by violet, bitter chocolate and minerals; more complex than the young 2006. Tightly wound but already sexy, with fresh acidity and underlying minerality giving the dark fruit flavors excellent definition. This seems distinctly sweeter than the 2006 owing to its early harmoniousness, but is actually lower in pH and higher in acidity, according to Jayson Pahlmeyer.
(includes 10% cabernet sauvignon) Bright ruby. Black raspberry, blueberry and licorice on the nose, lifted by peppery spices. Enters the mouth suave and sweet, with more energy than the 2004. At once seamless and bright, with noteworthy density and lovely lingering sweet fruits and spices. Winemaker Erin Green noted that the team did a lot of crop thinning.