The 2018 Tesseron Estate Pym Rae Proprietary Blend from Napa, California, is a noteworthy wine that stands out in the North Coast region. A product of Tesseron Estate, this red wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, cultivated with dry-farming techniques since 2016 under the guidance of Estate Manager Jérôme Ledit and consultant oenologist Michel Rolland. The estate was purchased by the Tesseron family, known for Château Pontet-Canet, and was previously owned by the late actor Robin Williams.
With an alcohol content of 15.9%, this wine has garnered exceptional reviews from several esteemed critics. James Suckling of jamessuckling.com awards it 97 points, praising its aromatic complexity and refined finish. He describes it as "extremely aromatic with blackberries, black pepper, and spice," and lauds its "very fine and polished" nature, recommending it for consumption from 2023 onwards.
Jeb Dunnuck of jebdunnuck.com is even more enthusiastic, giving it a stellar 99 points. He notes that the 2018 vintage combines the "sexiness and opulence" of the 2017 with the "elegance and precision" of the 2016. He describes it as "full-bodied, with a gorgeous sense of elegance and purity, perfect tannins, and an incredible finish," and predicts it will be a 50-year wine.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rates it highly with 98 points, highlighting its "deep garnet-purple color" and "fantastically concentrated" palate. The wine is noted for its "tightly wound layers of black and red berry notions," framed by ripe tannins and a finish with "epic length and loads of mineral sparks."
Decanter, giving it 97 points, emphasizes its layered complexity and pronounced minerality. The wine is described as "layered, long and complex," with generous flavors of "boysenberry, black cherry, and spiced plums," and intriguing mineral components. The review also mentions that it is a medium to full-bodied wine with a "nuanced saline quality" and a vibrant acid backbone that delivers freshness.
Overall, the 2018 Tesseron Estate Pym Rae is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its complexity, balance, and aging potential.