2017 Tesseron Estate Pym-Rae

The 2017 Tesseron Estate Pym-Rae is a commanding Napa Valley red that marries Old World sensibility with New World power. Crafted from a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, it delivers both purity of fruit and striking finesse. As only the second vintage under the Tesseron family’s stewardship, this wine already ranks among the most talked-about Mount Veeder bottlings, honoring its past while confidently defining its future.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2017 Pym-Rae shows a deep, opaque garnet-purple hue, hinting at both concentration and youth. The bouquet is lifted and complex, with perfumed notes of candied violet, wilted rose petals and black tea interwoven with damp earth, cigar box and a subtle thread of camphor. Underneath, dark and red fruits—blackcurrant, redcurrant, black cherry and warm blackberry—build in intensity as the wine opens. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied with a beautifully poised structure. Layers of red and black fruit are precise and pure, framed by fine-grained, polished tannins and a vibrant line of acidity that keeps everything fresh and focused. The texture is silky yet firm, suggesting both approachability and serious aging potential. The finish is very long, perfumed and persistent, with florals and subtle savory nuances echoing long after the last sip. With proper cellaring, this wine should evolve gracefully over 15–20 years, gaining further complexity and tertiary notes.

Production
Pym-Rae’s vineyards sit high on Mount Veeder at an average elevation of around 500 meters, where cooler temperatures, strong diurnal shifts and rugged, well-drained mountain soils produce small, concentrated berries with naturally balanced acidity. The estate totals just under 20 hectares of mature vines—primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc—originally planted in 1990, yielding low but intensely flavored crops. Grapes are typically harvested by hand in small lots, allowing for meticulous selection in the vineyard and at the sorting table. In the cellar, Tesseron Estate applies a philosophy refined at Château Pontet-Canet in Bordeaux: gentle handling, plot-by-plot vinification, and a focus on purity rather than excess extraction. The wine is aged in high-quality French oak, whose integration enhances structure and complexity without overshadowing the expression of this distinctive Mount Veeder terroir.

Food & Serving
This 2017 Pym-Rae is a natural partner for richly flavored, refined dishes that can match its structure and aromatic complexity. Think grilled or roasted lamb, dry-aged ribeye, slow-braised short ribs, or game birds with herb jus; it also shines alongside dishes with earthy elements such as wild mushrooms, truffle risotto, or aged hard cheeses. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its freshness and aromatic detail. Decanting is strongly recommended—about 1–2 hours for a young bottle—to allow the floral and savory notes to unfurl and the tannins to soften, revealing the wine’s full depth and elegance.

Producer
Tesseron Estate is the Napa Valley outpost of the Tesseron family, renowned proprietors of Château Pontet-Canet in Pauillac, Bordeaux. In 2016, Alfred Tesseron acquired the former Robin Williams vineyard on Mount Veeder, recognizing its exceptional potential and singular terroir. The estate has been renamed Pym-Rae in tribute to the original name bestowed by Williams—Pym and Rae being the middle names of two of his children—preserving an emotional link to the property’s history. Since taking over, the Tesseron family has brought their meticulous, terroir-driven approach from Bordeaux to Napa, quickly elevating Pym-Rae to iconic status among mountain Cabernets and establishing it as one of the most compelling and distinctive wines in the region.

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