Build Your Pym-Rae Vertical Collection

Pym-Rae Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The Tesseron family name is one of the most important and respected in French winemaking. Known first for the cognac that bears their name, the family is now behind some of the most lauded expressions of Bordeaux at their two estates: Château Pontet Canet and Château Lafon Rochet. 

The wine world sprung to attention when it was revealed that the Tesseron family had invested in a Napa Valley project. Their search for the perfect property was lengthy, as they were determined to find a high-altitude vineyard with sedimentary soils that were planted with mature Bordeaux varietal vines.

The perfect property happened to be beloved actor Robin Williams’ former estate at the end of Wall Road on Mount Veeder. Williams had named the vineyard Pym-Rae, his two children’s middle names. Out of respect for the recently departed actor, the Tesseron family kept the name for the new Domaine’s wine.

The excitement that their announcement created has not died down one iota since. Their inaugural vintage, the 2016 Pym-Rae Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon arrived and made shockwaves. It was met by the leading critics with scores of 98 and 97 points. We absolutely love this choice of words from James Suckling: “Real Wine.” Behind those two simple words, we read Suckling’s excitement about this new addition to the Napa Valley winemaking community. 

The following year, for the 2017 Pym-Rae Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, more 97-point scores were awarded, with Wine Advocate describing it as a “real knockout.” 

We are pleased to offer both wines to you today. This is an incredibly rare opportunity to begin building a vertical collection with the very first two wines a producer ever made, and to have both of those wines be the recipients of unanimous and full-throated accolades.

JAMES SUCKLING’S 98-POINT REVIEW OF THE 2016 

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’S 97-POINT REVIEW OF THE 2017

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Pym-Rae leaps from the glass with bold notions of black cherries, mulberries, plum preserves and dark chocolate with an opulent undercurrent of Indian spices, potpourri, sandalwood and cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with rich, seductive black fruit preserves and an explosion of exotic spice sparks, framed by firm yet beautifully plush tannins and fantastic tension, finishing very long and achingly fragrant. Possessing loads more weight and mid-palate density than a lot of 2017s, this second showing is an absolute knock-out.

Don’t miss out on these stellar wines. Grab yours here.