2021
Pahlmeyer Pièce de Résistance
The 2021 “Pièce de Résistance” is a commanding expression of mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, showcasing the profound concentration and intensity of the vintage. Inky dark crimson in the glass, the wine reveals captivating aromas of ripe plum, leather, and subtle tea leaf, underpinned by a delicate floral lift of violet and lavender. The palate is equally powerful: dark, concentrated, and incredibly rich, with layers of rich black plum, blackberry, and blueberry framed by thick, velvety tannins that evolve beautifully over time. A streak of vibrant acidity balances the bold structure and ensures exceptional aging potential. The finish lingers with an echo of cracked black pepper, graphite, and cocoa nib. Decanting is recommended for early enjoyment, but this wine will reward patience, revealing even greater depth and dimension over the next 25 years.
– Katie Vogt, Winemaker
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Katie Vogt
- Alcohol
- 14.9%
- Harvested Start Date
- September 24, 2021
- Harvested End Date
- October 6, 2021
- Bottled Date
- July 18, 2023
- Release Date
- October 7, 2024
Winemaking Notes
As vineyards grow and mature throughout the season, occasionally a ranch begins to separate itself from the rest of the estates. The Cabernet Sauvignon at Vangone consistently stood out as a cherry of the vintage. The fruit was hand harvested, hand sorted and optically sorted into upright oak fermenters with delestage performed throughout the peak of the fermentations. The wine was then aged in 100% new heavy-toast Taransaud oak barrels for 19 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered, ensuring the purest expression of Cabernet Sauvignon.
“Pure, expressive, and seamless, it offers a classic expression of Napa Cabernet in its ripe blackberry fruit, graphite nuances, sagebrush, and subtle spearmint notes. Adding to all that is a lifted sense of earthy minerality. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied, with perfect fruit cues of boysenberry fruit and spiced plums, with nuances of clove, dried herbs, and very firm fine-grained tannins with a firm backbone of refreshing acidity. Tension-filled, with a long mineral-scented finish. Capable of long-term cellaring. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in 100% new French oak and is a culmination of the very best lots from Pahlmeyer’s estate fruit sources and grower partners. Grapes are hand sorted, destemmed, gravity fed, optically sorted and sent into large oak tanks. Aged 19 months in Taransaud heavy toast barrels. The grape sources were Vangaone on Atlas Peak and Stagecoach Block 8.”
