{"title":"Judge William A. Van Nortwick Wine Tasting - Domestic Reds","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"pahlmeyermerlot2019-750ml","title":"Pahlmeyer Merlot 2022 - 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94pts Wine Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA flamboyant style, rich and showy but complex at the core, with black cherry, mocha espresso and spice flavors that glide toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2033. 2,291 cases made.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94pts Decanter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePahlmeyer Merlot quickly became a Napa icon. Here, the 2022 shows off what makes it one. Mixed berries, dark fruits, flowering herbs, graphite, and a pithy finish stimulate the palate while offering generosity and plenty of structure to serve a meal as well as continue to develop in bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93pts Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePahlmeyer Merlot quickly became a Napa icon. Here, the 2023 shows off what makes it one. Mixed berries, dark fruits, flowering herbs, graphite, and a pithy finish stimulate the palate while offering generosity and plenty of structure to serve a meal as well as continue to develop in bottle. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 Merlot relies more on the Waters Ranch (70%), as it has some deeper soils than Stagecoach and the irrigation at this 60-acre site may've been more efficient, according to winemaker Katie Vogt. Ripe cherries and deep loam notes lead the way, with this vintage not showing much in the way of herbal complexity on the nose. The wine is full-bodied, open-knit and velvety yet avoids any coarseness, finishing with ample length and hints of mocha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 Pahlmeyer Merlot is generous yet structured, a dynamic interplay of intensity and vibrancy. Aromas of brambly blackberry, macerated black cherry, and wild raspberry rise from the glass, underscored by crushed peppercorn, fresh sage, and a hint of forest floor. On the palate, a rich core of dark plum and fresh fig is wrapped in plush, velvety tannins, while savory, earthy notes emerge with time: tobacco leaf, cocoa nib, and plowed earth. The finish is long and lifted, carried by the wine’s natural energy and a lingering touch of violet and warm spice. With its dark fruit core amplified in its youth, this wine will evolve beautifully over the next decade, developing further nuance and refinement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe hand harvested each of our high-elevation sites in the cool of night. At the winery, the clusters were meticulously hand sorted and destemmed, with only the most perfect berries delivered to the tank. Fruit was gently and slowly extracted, spending up to 18 days on skins. Free-run juice was then collected overnight and aged separately from press cuts. We aged the wine in 82% new French oak barrels for 18 months. Select lots were carefully blended, with a touch of Malbec lending even more plushness and depth. The wine was bottled without fining or filtering in May 2024, enjoying additional bottle age before release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinery Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a bit of ingenuity, Jayson and his accomplice and friend, John Caldwell, surreptitiously planted his “suitcase” clones on John’s Coombsville property in 1981. The exceptional quality of fruit in Caldwell Vineyard soon caught local attention, and by 1986, storied Napa Valley winemaker Randy Dunn – agreeing to make Jayson’s first wine in exchange for access to his fruit – crafted the debut Proprietary Red. Comprising five of the red Bordeaux varieties that Jayson had planted, the wine garnered 94 points from Robert M. Parker, Jr. upon its release and launched Pahlmeyer’s reputation for excellence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the late 90s, Jayson looked to the rugged mountaintops to establish his own vineyard. “My closest advisors, Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer, told me, ‘If you want to be a first-growth, you have to have your own vineyards,’” says Jayson Pahlmeyer. “I found this property in Atlas Peak, in the eastern hills of Napa Valley — an incredible parcel with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter John analyzed the soil and David Abreu studied the terrain, Helen Turley spoke for all of them when she declared the site “paradisiacal.” Rocky and desolate with low vigor and good drainage, it was perfect for growing intense, expressive Bordeaux varietals. Jayson hired David Abreu to develop it, and Helen and Erin Green, Helen’s protégé and longtime Pahlmeyer winemaker, selected the clones, which included those smuggled from Bordeaux.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, 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.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlend:\u003c\/strong\u003e 98% Merlot, 2% Malbec\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Johnson Brothers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31283427639361,"sku":"11369","price":79.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2424\/3053\/files\/pahlmeyer-merlot-2022-750ml-532411.jpg?v=1767985929"},{"product_id":"cade-cabernet-sauvignon-howell-mountain-2022-750ml","title":"Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2022 - 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94pts James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSavory aromas of blackcurrants, cedar, tobacco leaves and mocha. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and balanced acidity, giving notes of blackberry bush, bark, graphite, licorice and spices. Layered black fruit has been finely integrated with a powerful undertone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93pts Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is gorgeous in this vintage. Bright, aromatic and vibrant, this mid-weight Howell Mountain Cabernet has a ton to offer. Rose petal, lavender, crushed rocks, graphite and red\/purplish fruit are beautifully delineated. This is such a pretty wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely textbook Howell Mountain notes of darker currants, black cherries, chocolate, bouquet garni, and leafy, herbal, forest notes all shine in Cade's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, a medium to full-bodied, ripe, nicely concentrated 2022 that has integrated tannins and acidity, terrific overall balance, and outstanding length. As opposed to many 2022s, this has solid underlying structure and depth and is a rock-solid beauty that will evolve nicely over the coming 10-12 years or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 vintage was an early and warm one. A heat dome hit during Labor Day, catapulting sugars—and, therefore, harvest. While some blocks fared well through the heat, others with rocky soils and low water-holding capacity had to be picked. The benefit of being at elevation was clear in 2022. CADE's vineyards did not get as hot as those on the valley floor. They were able to maintain great color and tannin, although slightly lower than average, due to the intense heat in September 2022. But, Howell Mountain always offers more tannin than they need, so having a bit less tannin naturally allowed them to ferment on the skins slightly longer than normal, while still exhibiting that classic Howell Mountain structure and mouthfeel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlend:\u003c\/strong\u003e 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec, 1% Merlot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Reyes Beverage Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52760577278316,"sku":"14371","price":149.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2424\/3053\/products\/cade-cabernet-sauvignon-2018-750ml-738487.jpg?v=1691447316"},{"product_id":"rivers-marie-cabernet-sauvignon-2022-750ml","title":"Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 - 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90pts Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is solid, with the vintage’s upfront, ripe, expressive profile. Red and black fruits, chocolaty herbs, and incense all shine, and it's charming, forward, and medium-bodied on the palate, with tons of upfront appeal. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinery Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle variety wines made to reflect the vineyard \u0026amp; vintage from which they came. Owned by Thomas Rivers Brown \u0026amp; Genevieve Marie Welsh.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Progress","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52886972203372,"sku":"32251120250469","price":129.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2424\/3053\/files\/rivers-marie-cabernet-sauvignon-2022-750ml-949971.jpg?v=1763524492"},{"product_id":"shafer-relentless-syrah-2022-750ml","title":"Shafer Relentless Syrah 2022 - 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96pts James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePowerful and compact with aromas of blackberry liqueur, dark plums, smoked meats, peppercorn and graphite. Full-bodied and deeply structured with dense dark fruit, savory spices and muscular tannins that build across the palate. Intense and age-worthy with a long, powerful finish. Made from 90% syrah and 10% petite sirah. Best from 2030.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95pts Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 Relentless is another superb wine from Shafer in this brutally challenging year. Deep and explosive to the core, the 2022 is seriously impressive. There's a center of strength here that is palpable. Dark red\/purplish fruit, lavender, cloves and blood orange all build into the deep, resonant finish. This is so impressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94pts Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvested early in the heat, the 2022 Syrah Relentless (90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah) is ripe and juicy, with other red and black fruits, peppery herbs, violets, spice, and incense-like aromas and flavors. This richly textured, full-bodied 2022 has sweet, velvety tannins and a great finish.\u003cbr\u003eRange: 92-94\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStill in barrel, the 2022 Relentless is a co-fermented blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah. It shows some of the effects of the early September heat wave in its notes of baked blackberries combined with hints of menthol and white pepper on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is silky but firm, finishing with a tart edge. Barrel Sample: 91-93\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93pts Wine Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRipe and lush, this red offers ample savory elements of dried violet, cured meat and wild herbs to comple- ment the hibiscus-accented berry and plum center, while spiced chocolate notes fill out the broad finish. Syrah and Petite Sirah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 Relentless offers an exquisite balance of concentration with elegance. Layers of juicy black plum, wild berry compote, and black licorice exhibit complexity and tension with crushed stone, garrigue, and sage brush. Ideal ripeness and racy acidity add lift to its core. Richly pleasurable now, this vintage will evolve magnificently over the next 20 – 30 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlend: 90% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Southern Wine \u0026 Spirits","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53672892694892,"sku":"013528700024","price":99.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2424\/3053\/products\/shafer-relentless-syrah-2017-750ml-620501.jpg?v=1691436409"}],"url":"https:\/\/redneckwinecompany.com\/collections\/judge-william-a-van-nortwick-wine-tasting-domestic-reds.oembed","provider":"Redneck Wine Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}