DISCUSSING PYM-RAE 2016, 2017 AND 2018 WITH JUSTINE TESSERON

In this tasting with Justine Tesseron of Pym-Rae (the Napa Valley estate of Bordeaux’s Château Pontet-Canet), James explores the 2016, 2017 and 2018 vintages.  Justine notes that the 2017 (80 percent cabernet sauvignon, 20 percent merlot) is different from the 2016 in terms of the assemblage, as one parcel was left out due to the effects of a hotter climate. However, she prefers the 2018. "I think we gained precision in purity of fruits,” she said of the vintage. James agrees that the 2018 is the signature Pym-Rae. He finds that the wood shows more in this vintage and there is a balanced acidity level.