1996 Pahlmeyer Malbec

There are small quantities of 1996 Malbec. Produced from fruit grown in the Napanook Vineyard owned by Christian Moueix, this exotic, wild wine is not for everybody, but it ranks with the finest California Malbecs I have ever tasted (only Dick Arrowood's offering rivals it). The dark saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by aromas of vanilla ice cream drenched with raspberry jam. Smoky pain grille notes (from aging in new Taransaud barrels) also make an appearance. In the mouth, the wine's display of fruit is so ostentatious as to be gaudy. It does not possess the body or length of Pahlmeyer's Merlots or Proprietary Reds, but it is an enormously fat, fruity, and undeniably sexy and disarming wine. It should drink well for 10-15 years. All the Pahlmeyer reds are bottled unfined and unfiltered, so what you see is what you get. If you are not on Pahlmeyer's mailing list, there is little chance of securing these wines in the marketplace, although there is limited distribution through the three-tiered system. Tel. (707) 255-2321; Fax (707) 255-6786