Jayson by Pahlmeyer Red Blend 2022
(Napa Valley, California) - [DM 93] [WE 92]

About Jayson:
Jayson wines are born from two of the most renowned winegrowing regions in the world – the iconic Napa Valley and the pioneering Sonoma Coast. Every vintage is meticulously made with the attention to detail for which Pahlmeyer is known and trusted, while capturing the spirit of its founder whose huge personality, humor and joy for living are an integral part of the Pahlmeyer legacy.

About 2022:
Voluptuousness meets vibrance in this classic Bordeaux-inspired blend. Ripe Merlot-dominant aromas of juicy macerated raspberry unfurl with hints of pencil lead, clove, cedar, and fresh sage. The compact fruit core, flanked by fine, polished tannin, surges open on a full, silky palate, giving way to complex underpinnings of earth and spice. A beam of bright acidity keeps the fruit fresh and focused through a soft, lingering finish of dusty plum and cocoa.
—Katie Vogt, Winemaker

Winemaker Notes:

Balance in the vineyard is crucial for our red varietals, and I carefully restrict yields and manage canopies to create just the right dappled sunlight to achieve ideal ripeness. In the cellar, I start with a core of ripe, concentrated mountaintop fruit, and seek out blending components to turn up the wine to its fullest potential – really plush, concentrated, and fruit driven. Like that first ’93 blending session, I’m going by feel, achieving a complete wine with nuance and intricacy, a rich, approachable texture, and impeccable balance. Heavily toasted Taransaud imparts counterpoised structure and texture while retaining fruit purity.
— Katie Vogt, Winemaker

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Leaps out of the glass with dusty red berry fruit and currant character, alongside cola nut and walnut husk. Plush plum and dark berry fruit shine, thanks to a healthy dose of Merlot, complemented by fragrant baking spices and rich loamy earth notes. Medium-bodied with gentle tannins, supported by a nice grippy acidity and length, nuanced by mocha and spicy garrigue notes. Easy-going yet wonderfully stylish in 2022. Grape sources include William Hill and Broken Rock in Napa, Stagecoach, Waters, and Round Pond in Rutherford, along with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from the iconic Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma. Grapes are sorted by hand, fermented in stainless steel with a small percentage in oak tanks, and then aged for 15 months in 65% new French oak. 51% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec." - Jonathan Cristaldi (Feb 2025)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
Bold, satisfying and flavorful, this red blend delivers rich, ripe fruits spun through with spices and chocolate. The tannins are fine while palate coating, balanced by just enough acidity carrying into a long finish.