Ming L

9.1

2014 is not a blockbuster year like 15 and 16, and this bottle shows. Lifted aromas of red and black berries, cedar, and graphite. The palate is quite lean and linear, with bright acidity, fine tannins, and modest fruit concentration, revealing more tension than plushness. Subtle tobacco and mineral notes carry a long, somewhat austere finish. — 2 days ago

Tom Garland

9.1

Pop and pour. A splendid light straw color. On the nose: subtle notes of lemon, grass, Asian pear, brioche. Taste: lean, chalky wine with lemon, grapefruit, minerals, and a sour lime finish. Works with all the fresh fish tonight. — 4 months ago

with Brenda

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.3

Very peculiar spectrum of aromas. Freshly cutted pineapple and pear. White peach and grapefruit. Very nice and long finish.
A bit flex on the mid palate but lingering pleasant finish — 9 months ago

Ericsson

9.4

So underrated and punching way above its weight class. Bit more delicate and pure than your high end Boudreaux. Perfect for seaside dinners. Great vintage too. — 23 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The Hora is their entry level wine from the young vines on their Estate.

It’s the lighter side of Bordeaux blended fruits; dark cherries, strawberries, blackberries. The body is thinner. More fruity & red floral than their Founders and Cathiard but certainly pleasurable to enjoy earlier inside 15 yrs.

Photos of my visit today. Impressive they copper all their own barrels. Believe they are the only ones in the Napa Valley that do.

Owners & founders since 2020 and is the same ownership as Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux. — 5 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.6

Little restrained on the nose but a nice creaminess and roundness. Moving to ripe and rich touch. On the palate is supple and creamy with a long lasting finish. Less immediate, it’ll need time. 96-97 — 9 months ago

Irina Georgieva

9.2

Good balance, rich taste and aftertaste. — 9 days ago

KP

9.8

Vibrant color. Wow, it’s like the Little Red Riding-hood porridge of wine. Not too dry, bold, acidic, long, short or tannic. Just right! Absolutely delicious. Would absolutely buy again and one of the best wines I’ve had in a long time. — a month ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.2

much better than the L’Esprit de Chevalier Blanc from the same vintage… — 6 months ago

Shay A

9.4

This was served during my annual WWC hosting. Typical format of sparkler, three whites, four reds, one dessert, all served blind.

Decanted an hour. Acquired during a visit to Melka a few years back. Last bottle of a 3-pack, and poured next to a 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc. 100%SB and 100% barrel fermented. This was the SB that opened my eyes to how good SB could be 5-6yrs ago. The tropical aromatics (pineapple, lots of guava, white peach) alongside such a rich yet balanced palate (glycerin like, oak only noticeable in texture, not taste). Lemon cream with a puckering finish.

As an aside, I know these “super SauvBlancs” have become popular. Melka must be at the forefront thanks to involvement in V29, DANA, Lail, Melka, ADAMVS, and countless others from the Atelier Melka team. — 2 years ago