WA: 95+pts

Vinous: 96 pts

From the Winery:  Both the Cabernet franc and Merlot were planted first on this parcel of land in 2004.  Their age and our understanding of the vineyard have allowed us to craft an amazing blend from this Estate.  The aromatics are distinctive for the varietals - fig jam, dried violet, cedar, black pepper, lavender and red currant fruits.  Big, sumptuous and very concentrated, this wine is opulent without being heavy.  It finishes long with unexpected freshness.  Recommended to decant.

About Melka:  Like the celebrated wines on which he’s built his reputation, Philippe Melka’s career has been influenced by soil.
A native of Bordeaux, Melka grew up intrigued by the intricacies of the land around him. Melka's first job was at Château Haut Brion. From there, he took a position with the Moueix Company and was sent to Dominus Estate in Yountville to study soils in 1991. He set out traveling, dividing time between soil study and winemaking at world renowned wineries Badio O Coltibuono in Chianti and Chittering Estate in Australia. Hereturned to France in 1993 to deepen his expertise at Chateau Petrus. Philippe was trained and influenced by some of the most notable personalities in the wine; Jean Delmas and Jean Philippe Masclef from Haut- Brion, Christian Moueix and Jean Claude Berrouet from Petrus, Paul Draper from Ridge and the globetrotting wine consultant Michel Rolland with whom he continues to work with on consulting projects.

In 1994, he returned to Napa full time and for the past 20 years has served as winemaking consultant for some of Napa’s most highly regarded properties under his company Atelier Melka founded in 1995. As co-proprietor of Melka Estates, Est. 1996, Philippe and Cherie produce four distinct labels that reflect their philosophy of soil driven wines: Metisse from Napa Valley, Mekerra from Sonoma Valley, Majestique from around the world and CJ, also from Napa Valley.