Pym-Rae - Napa Valley 2016

Additional minimum retail prices, excl. VAT :
-Singapore : 488 SGD
-Taiwan : 11 150 TWD
-China : 3480 RMB

The Tesseron family (Pontet Canet) bought this large property of 260 hectaires in 2016. 7 hectares only are planted with vines (average : 29 years old), at a high elevation : one plot at 500m and another at 600m. It is located in the disctrict of Mount Veeder, one of the most qualitative mountain vineyards of Napa. 2016 is the first vintage produced.

The wine is vinified in 40 small concrete vats of 10 hectoliters, smaller than a man ! A true tailor-made vinification.

The ageing is made in new oak barrels (30%) and in concrete vats (70%).

The vineyard is organically and biodynamically farmed.

Pym-Rae is a truly unique wine, produced in very limited quantity.

"Depth, balance and freshness: every detail is carefully considered to reveal the potential of this rare vineyard, and gracefully highlight its unique character.
The first vintage of PYM-RAE stays true to the spirit of the Tesseron family, and is both the culmination of a long journey as well as the beginning of a new adventure."

Vinous

byNeal Martinthe8/9/2024

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from Pym Rae is named after the children of much-missed comedian Robin Williams, who originally owned the farm. Tesseron respectfully decided not to change it. I actually tasted this wine three times, here at Hatched and then twice more in Washington, DC, with Tesseron himself. Cassis and violets on the nose, this is quintessential Napa, as you would expect. I found it a little flashy, though I have it on good authority that subsequent vintages are more restrained and complex. The palate has plenty of blackberry and blueberry fruit, lush in style and thoroughly enjoyable. Glossy on the finish, I would actually afford this another year in bottle to lose some of that puppy fat.

Vinous

byAntonio Gallonithe1/7/2022

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is the first wine from the Tesseron family's Mount Veeder estate, the property that once belonged to comedian Robin Williams. It is certainly an impressive debut. Inky and dark, the 2016 possesses tremendous textural richness. At the moment, the 2016 is driven by its deep, luscious fruit. I imagine more site character will emerge over time. In my view, the French oak is a bit strong at this stage, but I imagine that will sort itself out in future vintages. The Pym Rae Cabernet is made by Thomas Comme, whose father Jean-Michel, spent more than twenty years at Pontet-Canet. I was impressed by the potential of this site during a visit a few years ago. This is certainly going to be an exciting project to watch.

Jamessuckling.com

byJames Sucklingthe1/18/2020

This is the debut vintage of this wine from the esteemed Bordeaux owner, Alfred Tesseron, who bought the property in the Napa mountains in 2016. Aromas of plums, wet earth, fresh herbs and tobacco. Some green olives. Turns to blueberries and blackberries. Full-bodied, yet reserved and layered with chocolate, walnuts and plums. Firm yet polished tannins give a framed sense to the wine. Savory. Racy and beautifully structured, it’s extremely drinkable already. Real wine.

Wine Advocate

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe10/29/2018

A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Pym-Rae displays a deep garnet-purple color and reveals wonderfully fragrant notes of candied violets, wilted roses, damp soil and black tea over a core of red and black currants, black cherries and warm blackberries plus touches of cigar box and camphor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is evocatively singular, offering that rock-solid structure of mountain fruit, yet these are wonderfully ripe, silt-like tannins that beautifully support the elegant red and black fruit layers, finishing very long and very perfumed.