Melka
Métisse Napa Valley Red Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
I’m at 94-95 here. Upside over the next 5-10yrs.
Purchased during a visit to Melka back in ‘21. This 2017 ended up being the favorite red wine of the tasting (though the ‘16 SB was my overall favorite). Pritchard Hill fruit next to Ovid. 70 cab/20 CabFranc /10 petit Verdot.
Purple in the glass. Sports the entire fruit spectrum (red, blue, black) but trends darker toward the finish. Expensive oak but it’s really pretty (doesn’t come across as too oak driven). For the vintage, this is elegant and integrating nicely. Fruit is very pure (blueberries, blackberries, plum) with baking spices (cinnamon and vanilla) with a vein of mineral/graphite down the middle. Consumed from decanter over 3hrs and left a glass for the next day…improved over time, but this was already starting to open for business.
I opened this alongside two other 2017 Napa cabs with a small group for a check-in on the vintage. MacDonald was the winner, Kinsman Rhadamanthus was the most unique, this Melka fit in-between style wise (more modern than the other two).
I’m at 94-95 here. Upside over the next 5-10yrs.
Purchased during a visit to Melka back in ‘21. This 2017 ended up being the favorite red wine of the tasting (though the ‘16 SB was my overall favorite). Pritchard Hill fruit next to Ovid. 70 cab/20 CabFranc /10 petit Verdot.
Purple in the glass. Sports the entire fruit spectrum (red, blue, black) but trends darker toward the finish. Expensive oak but it’s really pretty (doesn’t come across as too oak driven). For the vintage, this is elegant and integrating nicely. Fruit is very pure (blueberries, blackberries, plum) with baking spices (cinnamon and vanilla) with a vein of mineral/graphite down the middle. Consumed from decanter over 3hrs and left a glass for the next day…improved over time, but this was already starting to open for business.
I opened this alongside two other 2017 Napa cabs with a small group for a check-in on the vintage. MacDonald was the winner, Kinsman Rhadamanthus was the most unique, this Melka fit in-between style wise (more modern than the other two).
5/21/23 Tasting group. Group 3rd, my 3rd. Tomato soup/Merlot. Nice acidity. Getting tired.
5/21/23 Tasting group. Group 3rd, my 3rd. Tomato soup/Merlot. Nice acidity. Getting tired.
May 22nd, 2023
The 305 wine group weekend in Key West- great times
The 305 wine group weekend in Key West- great times
Nov 4th, 2022
Smooth delicious and consistent throughout. Blackberry and balanced
Smooth delicious and consistent throughout. Blackberry and balanced
Oct 12th, 2022
Bad label but good temperature and better tasting wine.
Bad label but good temperature and better tasting wine.
Nov 10th, 2021
Wow, incredible, & perfect for a Dodger’s WS game 5!
Wow, incredible, & perfect for a Dodger’s WS game 5!
Oct 29th, 2017Melka is awesome. This 10 year old predominately merlot cab franc blend has plenty of time left. Lots of dark berries, earth, and rocks/minerals.
Melka is awesome. This 10 year old predominately merlot cab franc blend has plenty of time left. Lots of dark berries, earth, and rocks/minerals.
Mar 25th, 2017
Killer cab. Feminine. Tastes like a blend. Gorgeous. Master blending. The petit Verdot makes for a dry finish.
Killer cab. Feminine. Tastes like a blend. Gorgeous. Master blending. The petit Verdot makes for a dry finish.
Dec 13th, 2016
This Melka Jumping Goat Vineyard Blend of 60% Cabernet, 24% Merlot and 16% Petit Verdot is phenomenal. This wine is more opaque than other 2012's but still has lots of rich black fruit flavor, rounded out by cassis, sandalwood, camphor, smooth tannins and a touch of acidity. This wine has lots of mouthfeel with a sweetness upfront and a chocolate finish that lingers forever. This wine is a must for any cellar.
This Melka Jumping Goat Vineyard Blend of 60% Cabernet, 24% Merlot and 16% Petit Verdot is phenomenal. This wine is more opaque than other 2012's but still has lots of rich black fruit flavor, rounded out by cassis, sandalwood, camphor, smooth tannins and a touch of acidity. This wine has lots of mouthfeel with a sweetness upfront and a chocolate finish that lingers forever. This wine is a must for any cellar.
Dec 11th, 2015