Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

First time having this one. Made from a two barrel selection.

Thick, heavy, chocolatey Cabernet. Plush, round and velvety. Really nice but will benefit from more bottle evolution. — a month ago

Ming L

9.5

Crafted by Philippe Melka, aromas of dried herbs, forest floor, and tobacco leaf frame a core of cassis and black plum. The palate is savory yet refined, with fine tannins, graphite nuance, and integrated oak. The finish is long with earthy depth.

I love Napa 2011 vintage, which is very underestimated in my opinion for its cool, extended season with resulting bottlings from top producers leaning towards restraint and classicism. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Melka Estates – Métisse – Red Blend - 2019
Martinez Vineyard – Napa Valley AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A site-driven Napa Valley Cabernet blend from Martinez Vineyard, crafted by Philippe & Cherie Melka. The 2019 Métisse is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (92%), supported by Cabernet Franc (7%) for aromatic lift and Petit Verdot (1%) for structure and depth. A classic Melka expression emphasizing balance, precision, and terroir transparency.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep aromas of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, and dark cherry unfold alongside graphite, cedar, cocoa powder, and subtle violet. Secondary notes of crushed rock, espresso, and savory herbs add complexity as the wine opens.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet poised, with finely polished tannins and a seamless mid-palate. Concentrated dark fruit is balanced by fresh acidity and mineral tension, leading to a long, structured, and elegant finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, herb-crusted lamb, beef short ribs, venison, or aged hard cheeses such as Comté or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A refined and confident Napa Valley Cabernet blend that showcases Melka’s signature balance between power and elegance. Built for both near-term enjoyment and graceful aging.

Did You Know?
Philippe Melka trained in Bordeaux and has consulted for many of Napa’s most iconic estates, bringing Old World sensibility to New World precision through meticulous vineyard selection and restrained winemaking.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is the kind of Napa Cabernet blend I gravitate toward when I want power without excess, polished, cerebral, and terroir-driven. A benchmark Melka wine that reminds me why precision matters as much as intensity. — 6 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.6

Short Rib wine. 👍🏼
Winery notes,

Unique circumstances helped create the monumentally impressive 2013 Le Petit Vice. Proprietor Patrice Breton worked with Paul Hobbs and Mike Smith in the beginning, and finished the wine with the help of Philippe Melka, and Shawn Johnson… Four of Napa Valley’s most accomplished winemakers.

Aged for 22 months in Taransaud and Marques French oak barrels, — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Earlier this week, a rep for Crown Point wines hosted a tasting to show off a few of their newer releases. New to me, they are out of Santa Barbara and have the duo of Adam Henkel (former assistant winemaker at Harlan for 8yrs) and Philippe Melka (who came on starting with the ‘15 vintage) making the wines.


This wine is their Estate Selection, which is 73% cab, 16% malbec and 11% merlot. I believe this was the first vintage for this wine. It sports a very soft profile and is made in a riper style. Aromatically it smells of baked boysenberry, fig and mixed berry pie with milk chocolate chips. The ABV is around 15.2% and it shows here. Extracted on the palate with chocolate covered dark fruits, baking spices, nutmeg and Andes mint. — 7 years ago

with Clare and Weston

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Excellent wine

Comes out with a lot of spice and depth out of the bottle and a bit tannic.

With some air time - we just did glass and open bottle - it mellowed and was excellent paired with steak and potatoes. — 2 months ago

Joe Flo

9.3

This Melka wine has held up very well. — 5 months ago

David Walser

9.4

Not my favorite Melka but it’s nice to monitor his various bottlings, especially anything with Cab Franc. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2018 vintage. 6.10.23. — 3 years ago

David Walser

9.4

67% Merlot, 33% cab franc, don’t know what the other 1% is? Really like this now that it has some age. I drank other bottles too early. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Attended a Parallel Wines private tasting last night. Very nice and classic in style. Didn’t realize how small their production is...less than 600 total cases. This is their 20th year and Melka has been with them from the beginning.

This was in the zone. Classic ‘13 Napa cab. It’s flavor packed and loaded with structure. Sweet and ripe dark fruits up front with lots of juicy blackberries and blueberries wrapped in dark chocolate and baking spices on the nose. Nutmeg, cassis, baked mixed berry pie on the palate. It’s very compact with a dusty finish. A blend of different vineyards, with a lot of fruit coming from the backside of Howell Mtn. — 7 years ago

Jocelyn Yard

9.4

Bought this bottle directly from Cherie, after meeting her for the first time. A delight! — 7 years ago

Daniel Taub

9.4

Kudos to Mr Melka. Delivers and after 30 mins in a very good place — 7 years ago

Dylan Jenkins

9.5

Very great wine! Had it with pasta at an Italian restaurant. — 3 months ago

with Tom

Jody Scharf

9.4

look there's tons of pro notes on this wine if you care from people with a higher pay grade than me...here's mine....freakin delicious.! . — 5 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.0

Wonderful, well made wine of blackberries and currants, that’s starting to feel its age. — 7 months ago

David Walser

9.4

51% CF, 49%ME. Enjoyed the wine & blend. For me, these wines are a bit rough when young but smooth out nicely with age. — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It's definitely time for a great Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Great nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead and earth.

Full bodied with medium acidity and elegant.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, earth, peppercorn and leather.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot based blend from Napa Valley. Rich, yet elegant. Fruit forward with nice complexity.

This 8 year old Magnum is drinking very nicely now. The fact that it is from a great vintage doesn't hurt it either.

Delicious right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Excellent quality. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Thank you Barry for sharing this with me.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with delicious lamb chops.

Grapes are grown at 2,100 feet of elevation. A blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barrels (31% new) for 25 months. A small production of 579 cases. Made by Philippe Melka.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$350 (Magnum) — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Attended a Parallel Wines private tasting last night. Very nice and classic in style. Didn’t realize how small their production is...less than 600 total cases. This is their 20th year and Melka has been with them from the beginning.

Starting to channel some butterscotch and creme brûlée notes. It’s rich without being overly oaked. Honey roasted almonds and even some marzipan. This is 100% Ritchie vineyard and while it doesn’t have classic Ritchie nuttiness, there is a hint of roasted marshmallows that I find common in other Ritchie Chards. — 7 years ago

Joshua Fisher

9.3

Custom crush client at BRASSWOOD. Winemaker Philip Melka — 7 years ago