2014 Pahlmeyer Merlot

The 2014 Merlot is a blend of 94.5% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. It has a dense purple color, although not as saturated as the 2015 or 2013, with a beautiful fruited nose of blackberry, plum, chocolate, mocha and espresso. The aromatics are killer and then the wine hits the palate with a medium to full-bodied lushness and an expression that says, “Kiss me!” This is a delicious, front-end loaded, full-bodied Merlot to drink over the next 15 or so years.

The 2014 Merlot has developed beautifully over the last year. Sweet tobacco, licorice, leather and dried herbs add attractive aromatic overtones. Dark, pliant and expressive, the Merlot will drink nicely upon release. If opened young, the 2014 needs a bit of air to come into focus. Like a lot of 2014s, the Merlot has shut down quite a bit after bottling.

The 2014 Merlot is soft, supple and sexy, with lovely intensity, but medium-bodied structure. There is plenty of near-term appeal a la 2012, but with a bit more precision and nuance. I imagine the 2014 will drink well relatively early. The flavors are intense and dark, in the classic Pahlmeyer style. As always, the Merlot is the sweetest and most open of the Pahlmeyer reds.