Palate
The 2008 Proprietary Red has presence, complexity and richness. Juicy layers of blueberry, huckleberry
and blackberry fold upon layers of pure cocoa and just-shaved pencil lead. The thick, smooth, firm tannin
structure leaves a lasting impression and will allow this wine to cellar beautifully for years to come.
Growing Conditions
What is Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red? It is a classic Napa Valley Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Each variety is harvested and held separately throughout fermentation and barrel aging. The lots are aged an average of 18 months in French oak Bordeaux barrels, blended through a meticulous, time-honored artisanal process, and bottled without filtering or fining.
Produced in limited quantities, the Proprietary Red is a wine of superb power and density with commanding tannins and rich, dark flavors that become increasingly lush and seductive with age. Properly cellared, Proprietary Red will evolve magnificently for at least 25 years.
Bottling
It was bottled unfined and
unfiltered on April 20, 2010.
Winemaking
The grape clusters were hand-sorted, and once de-stemmed, the berries were sorted again by hand on the way
to tank. After four to five days of pre-fermentation cold maceration in small open-top fermentors, the fruit began
100% native yeast fermentation. Two to three weeks later, the fruit was gently pressed and moved to barrel.
where it finished primary and secondary fermentations.
Aging
The wine continued to age in 85% new French oak –
a combination of Taransaud and St. Martin barrels – for eighteen months.
