The 2009 Red Blend emerges from the glass with freshly cut flowers, mint, spices, minerals and pure, crystalline, dark red fruit. This is a gorgeous wine endowed with remarkable finesse. The style is weightless, elegant and totally refined. I especially like the way the wine fleshes out in the glass. The 2009 is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. This is a beautiful set of wines from Pahlmeyer. The wines are increasingly more refined and elegant than in the past. The absurdly heavy bottles, on the other hand, are very 1990s. In other words – out of touch.Tel. (707) 255-2321

This cellar-worthy Bordeaux-like expression offers a mix of cedar-laced tobacco, dried berry, loamy earth and herbal notes. Young and tightly wound, this unfolds slowly and gracefully, and looks like an ideal choice to lay down. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Best from 2014 through 2028. 4,200 cases made. –JL