Pahlmeyer
Nearly four decades ago, Jayson Pahlmeyer embarked on a daring journey, arriving in Napa Valley with a bold dream and shoeboxes filled with smuggled Bordeaux vine cuttings. A trial lawyer by profession, Jayson, captivated by the allure of First Growth Bordeaux, was driven by a singular ambition: to create a Napa Valley wine that could stand shoulder to shoulder with Bordeaux’s finest. “All I wanted to do was to create my own ‘California Mouton’ – a rich, powerful Napa Valley Bordeaux blend, a wine that would drop wine lovers to their knees,” he explains.
Today, Pahlmeyer wines are crafted through a steadfast commitment to the principles of site, discipline, and high quality of First Growth Bordeaux coupled with the signature richness, power, and depth of Napa Valley.
Pahlmeyer wines are built on a foundation of extraordinary mountain vineyard sites and confident, discerning viticulture choices that demand maximum flavor intensity.
Jayson by Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested at night to deliver naturally cooled grapes to the winery. Whole clusters were gravity-fed onto a vibrating table for hand sorting. Selected clusters were gently de-stemmed, delivering whole berries for a final hand sorting. After several days of cold maceration, the fruit entered primary fermentation for two to three weeks, then gently pressed in our stainless-steel basket. The wine finished malolactic fermentation in barrel, then aged for 15 months in 88% new French oak barrels.
Effusive aromas of blackberry pie, cassis, and leather greet the nose, foretelling the full, expressive palate. Intense notes of blackberry and plum interweave with flecks of pink peppercorn and plowed earth, amplified by a lift of fresh acidity. The tannins are firm yet seamlessly melded with the rich fruit, driving to a plush, juicy finish.
"A creamy, full-bodied red with aromas of stewed blackberries, blackcurrants, dark chocolate, black tea and sweet tobacco. Ripe, polished tannins support a velvety core of dark fruit and chocolate. Delicious finish. Tight and so together. Drink or hold." - 95 points, James Suckling
Jayson by Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
"Effusive aromas of blackberry pie, cassis, and leather greet the nose, foretelling the full, expressive palate. Intense notes of blackberry and plum interweave with flecks of pink peppercorn and plowed earth, amplified by a lift of fresh acidity. The tannins are firm yet seamlessly melded with the rich fruit, driving to a plush, juicy finish." –Katie Vogt, Winemaker
Pahlmeyer Merlot 2021
Our debut Pahlmeyer red from the stellar 2021 vintage is a thrill to experience, a wine that matches intensity with elegance, beautifully articulated and built to age. Aromas of blackberry and cassis leap from the glass with an underscore of black olive and dark earth. The palate is muscular yet refined, a lithe dance of richness and nuance. A focused core of fresh dark fruit—blackberry, boysenberry, and black plum—is enveloped in polished tannins that lend a weighty grip without overpowering. A lifting note of lingonberry jam runs long through the finish, interplaying with hints of cedar, fresh leather, and sage that echo long on the finish.
Jayson by Pahlmeyer Red Blend 2019
Jayson Red Wine is a distinctive blend from some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards, crafted to express each vintage with intensity and richness. With vintage 2020, fruit was sourced primarily from Atlas Peak, supported by fruit grown in the renowned Stagecoach Vineyard and other exceptional Napa Valley sites. Grapes were hand-picked and hand-sorted before undergoing fermentation in stainless steel tanks to enhance its fruit profile and retain bright acidity. The wine was then racked to 65% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.
This wine has aromas of crushed black cherry, fraises des bois, and wild mushroom on the nose. The palate opens, layer upon plush layer, with raspberry, strawberry, and lingonberry, all held beautifully in focus by integrated polished tannins.
Jayson by Pahlmeyer Red Blend 2018
Jayson Red Wine is a distinctive blend from some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards, crafted to express each vintage with intensity and richness. With vintage 2020, fruit was sourced primarily from Atlas Peak, supported by fruit grown in the renowned Stagecoach Vineyard and other exceptional Napa Valley sites. Grapes were hand-picked and hand-sorted before undergoing fermentation in stainless steel tanks to enhance its fruit profile and retain bright acidity. The wine was then racked to 65% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.
This wine has aromas of crushed black cherry, fraises des bois, and wild mushroom on the nose. The palate opens, layer upon plush layer, with raspberry, strawberry, and lingonberry, all held beautifully in focus by integrated polished tannins.
Jayson by Pahlmeyer Chardonnay 2020
This silky-smooth wine offers an appealing lift of crisp tropical fruit and subtle touches of oak for a vibrant, layered Chardonnay.
Notes of lemon meringue, poached pear, crushed granite and fresh pineapple juice offer incredible structure to the palate. Deeper into this well-textured wine are richer hints of butterscotch, almond cream, salted caramel and crème brûlée, finishing bright and playful. Pair this inviting Chardonnay with a grilled pork chop in a mustard-thyme cream sauce with a side of rosemary-herb roasted potatoes, or with a cheese pairing of aged gouda with dried apricots.
Jayson by Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested at night to deliver naturally cooled grapes to the winery. Whole clusters were gravity-fed onto a vibrating table for hand sorting. Selected clusters were gently de-stemmed, delivering whole berries for a final hand sorting. After several days of cold maceration, the fruit entered primary fermentation for two to three weeks, then gently pressed in our stainless-steel basket. The wine finished malolactic fermentation in barrel, then aged for 15 months in 88% new French oak barrels.
Effusive aromas of blackberry pie, cassis, and leather greet the nose, foretelling the full, expressive palate. Intense notes of blackberry and plum interweave with flecks of pink peppercorn and plowed earth, amplified by a lift of fresh acidity. The tannins are firm yet seamlessly melded with the rich fruit, driving to a plush, juicy finish.