Melka
Melka
Métisse Napa Valley Red Blend 2017
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). — 9 months ago
Melka
Métisse St. Émilion Merlot Cabernet Franc Blend 2014
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. — 2 years ago
Melka
CJ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013
Dark fruits, medium acids, 11 years and still holds strong — 3 months ago
Melka
La Mekerra Vineyard White Blend 2016
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. — 9 months ago
Melka
Napa Valley Métisse
Just amazing! Love all his wines. Had it with a lightly breaded pork chop and Shannon Salad at Frenchies. Moving out of Coral Gables — 2 years ago
Melka
Métisse Jumping Goat Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019
Mind blowing. Legs for days. So complex and sophisticated, elegant, velvet, super sexy, knocked my socks off at the same time! — 7 months ago
Melka
Majestique Paso Robles Syrah 2018
Phillipe Melka has now been sourcing from the ‘Paderewski Vineyard’ for several years. This wine is quite simply Paso Robles at its finest. Inky and deep once in the glass, this takes on chocolate cake tones alongside tar and black licorice with black olive tapenade tones rounding out this evocative nose. The palate is deep, intense and downright delicious. Not only quite massive, but the err of freshness with a light salinity imparted is really impressive. Deep dark currants and black cherry cordial mingle with coffee ground flavors on the palate. Utterly sensational in its youth, this has another fifteen years of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 96 — 3 years ago
David Walser
I’m a bit disappointed in this bottle. I had been hoping this bottle would be as good as the last one I had. 66% Cab Franc, 33% Merlot…I wonder what the last 1% was??? — 2 months ago