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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.7 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 57 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by hrazdiiv on 12/31/2023 & rated 92 points: I’m a big fan of Melka’s and this is another solid cuvée. I rated this 92 back in 2015, and feel it’s held up very well though I do think it’s well within its peak drinking window right now. The color of the wine was a medium-dark purple but closer examination and swirling in the glass reveals quite a bit of crimson. The nose is giveaway California with loads of cassis, dark blue fruits, ripe plum and lavender all present. We drank the wine undecanted for about four hours so it had a chance to breathe and indeed, it held up nicely putting on some velvety weight with notes of dark chocolate and charcoal showing toward the end. I’m not sure why the consensus says to drink by 2019 (that’s clearly off) but I’d recommend within a few years at this point for certain. (181 views) | | | Tasted by PourSomeRed on 2/3/2022 & rated 93 points: The last one. It was great. It could easily go another 3+ years, but I think it's the best it's going to get. (757 views) | | | Tasted by Hi.its.Don.4.Wine on 6/23/2020 & rated 94 points: Progeny Wine
Thinking, or maybe more appropriately dreaming, about owning a winery all sorts of things start to play in my mind; region, grape varietals, style, but at this moment, names. The name of the winery and also of the wines; marketing plays a huge part in coming up with names. While some are named for areas or vineyards, some are family names; that’s a good place to start.
The wines then present the second challenge; but along those same lines many have used names of family members; mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, maybe even an aunt or uncle; again I think I favor offspring, I think if I did own a winery my daughter would love to have a wine named after her!
For this post, I’m focusing on a winery, and winemaker, that I have followed many years and who’s wines I love; Philippe Melka. While he’s a consultant over many wines, he also has his namesake label and set of wines; it happens to be the wine named after his children I’m talking about.
Named in honor of Philippe and Cherie’s daughter and son, Chloe and Jeremy, the wine shows a slightly softer style compared to his Single Vineyard Cabs, the CJ is no less a stunner. Blended from 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot and 100% being from Napa Valley it is aged 20 months in 45% New French Oak, it is a great value for those seeking quality.
Eight months ago I reviewed the 2009 CJ and just like its older cousin 2010 is smoooooth. The wine showing dark rich fruit and nice acidity, and like this author, maybe showing slight signs of aging, but far from old. The finish is soft and enjoyable and was a perfect complement to my second round of Chicken Thighs.
The wine still has a few years given an initial drink window to 2022 or so, although I might be tempted to enjoy the wine sooner rather than later. For a real treat, especially as a big Napa Cab lover, try his Single Vineyards, I’m a big fan of the Jumping Goat wine.
Cheers (1524 views) | | | Tasted by Hi.its.Don.4.Wine on 3/2/2019 & rated 94 points: This wine has progressed nicely. Still displays big bold and dark fruit notes with just enough grip from the tannins. Should continue to soften slightly. Nice spice note at the end that finishes long and strong. (2013 views) | | | Tasted by Wine Warrior 1 on 9/22/2018 & rated 93 points: Wow, surprise OTN. Very dark garnet in color, big nose and medium heavy weight. This cab is deep, layered eye-opening. Has many years in front of it. Really enjoyed this cab!! (2077 views) | | | Tasted by Kapnkeyz on 2/5/2017 & rated 91 points: With Ziti during Super Bowl 51. Wish Atlanta would have held on to beat NE. (3576 views) | | | Tasted by pipedream on 11/5/2016 & rated 87 points: average (3201 views) | | | Tasted by Baronfreya on 9/17/2016 & rated 90 points: Still a bit young lighting was dark but it was a a red initial hit of alcohol consistent with the big legs. Nose was a bit tight standard dark fruits some anise and backyard garden as it opened up. Balanced entry still tight on the backend long finish. Grabbed as it was a 201 I but I think this has staying power. (2867 views) | | | Tasted by khunchris on 8/6/2016 & rated 94 points: Still pretty young. Medium weight. Bright purple tannins certainly present. Leather. Wild flowers pretty aromatic fragrant wine. Plum, licorice. Well balanced nice wine. Melka is one of the best (2720 views) | | | Tasted by PourSomeRed on 5/9/2016 & rated 92 points: A wonderful cabernet. Start to finish an pleasure to drink. Fruit forward with an excellent finish. (2658 views) | | | Tasted by Cuellar's Cellar on 2/22/2016 & rated 93 points: Just an amazing cab. It shows history of aging. Almost like a 2007. Incredible changes. Wish I had more :( (1669 views) | | | Tasted by Randito on 12/25/2015 & rated 94 points: Black cherry and floral nose. Deep black raspberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, with a mineral and dusty finish. Good layers and decent long finish. (1585 views) | | | Tasted by wineotim on 12/19/2015 & rated 92 points: Abundant aromatics of tell tale Napa Cabernet. Medium to full bodied black cherry fruit and cassis, nicely structured tannins, Dry and dusty finish. I gave this an aggressive decant. No need to rush this wine, give it more time. This is my first Melka wine but won't be my last. (2210 views) | | | Tasted by PourSomeRed on 11/19/2015 & rated 92 points: Incredible nose. Ripe dark fruit with soft tannins. Really nice. As approachable as this is I'm not sure of it's aging potential. That being said, it is a pleasure to drink. (1427 views) | | | Tasted by mckillop on 3/17/2015 & rated 90 points: Still has some tannins but they are pleasant. Generally lost some character has the bottle went from 55F to room temp. (2262 views) | | | Tasted by hrazdiiv on 1/2/2015 & rated 92 points: A big brooding wine that has a long life ahead of it. Nicely dark colour on the pour, very evident this is a serious wine. On the nose, the alcohol is medium and the wine brings you nice forest floor, tar, and red fruits; tannins are a little on the high side which given the quality of this vintage, is exactly where you want them to be. Finish is strong, 30 second +. I have always found this producer to be so talented, the French pedigree combined with ripe California fruit is just always a consistent winner. Even though this is not a single vineyard wine, any collector should be happy to have it in their cellar. The score will almost certainly improve with age. (2414 views) | | | Tasted by cltean on 11/14/2014 & rated 93 points: Well balance and crafted wine. Youthful with vibrant fruit. Definitely has aging potential. (2228 views) | | | Tasted by wmccone54 on 7/25/2014 & rated 92 points: Dinner purchase; decanted throughout a 90 minute meal. Surprisingly approachable for a young wine, displaying silky tannins and a well balanced mouthfeel culminating in a strong finish which held up to a grilled duck breast and beef tenderloin. Elegant and classy with raves from all. Philippe Melka is a top notch producer. (2857 views) | | | Tasted by TXRhoneRanger on 5/8/2014: Tasted alongside Phillipe Melka, wine maker visit.
Color: deep purple fading to a core of black.
Nose: youthful, plush black plum, red currant, cassis, spice box, and a bit of wood, Fresh and inviting, tightly knit upon opening, but softened/opened after some time.
Very enjoyable upon giving it some air. Would love to see it in about 2 hours.
Palate: loads of creme de cassis, sweet fruit, sweet wood, well integrated, and low acidity. Not linear at all, but it has great focus and purity. Nice sourcing as you can tell this comes from a nicely maintained vineyard.
Not at all a beast of a wine, but still young, but can use some time to develop. In fact, seeing this bottle with some age on down the line would be great.
Finish: quite nice and long. Very enjoyable.
I think it has 12-18 years of life. I also believe that at $50, this is a great reference point for the price point, pedigree, origin and style. Very stylish.
*note* not 'scored/rated', as I personally represent these wines in the marketplace. (2967 views) | | | Tasted by lewinemaster on 4/26/2014 & rated 92 points: an advice, let this bottle open up around 3 hours then you will experience one of Napa's best. Philippe Melka is simply a genius. I highly recommend you to try the Metisse (Blend). More expensive but unbelievable. (2417 views) | | | Tasted by BeaverBob on 4/23/2014 & rated 90 points: Needs some time to open as it got better during the evening. Like the soap, it's "young and restless". Some leather and chocolate on the nose, big tannin. Very good now will get better with age. (1958 views) | | | Tasted by vancouvermatt on 4/22/2014 & rated 93 points: Needs a good 2-3 hours to open up, but then WOW. (1852 views) | | | Tasted by Frank_A_M on 11/9/2013 & rated 93 points: Deep purple color, long legs, medium tannins and a taste of chocolate on the backend of this strong cab. (1947 views) | | | Tasted by Cuellar's Cellar on 7/21/2013 & rated 90 points: The wine looks Ruby colored. The legs are Slow. It smells like Plum, and Cherry. It tastes like Coffee, Oak, Vanilla, and Black Pepper. The body is Medium. The wine has Coarse texture. The wine finishes Long. (2075 views) | | | Tasted by isaacjamesbaker on 2/15/2013 & rated 92 points: Blind Tasting - New World Cabernets; 2/11/2013-2/17/2013 (My Place - Washington, DC): Rich and dense on the nose, with plum, black currant, charcoal and graphite. On the palate, we're talking about the freshest blackberry and currant fruit, backed up with vanilla bean, cream oak and roasted coffee. Rich and layered, with lots of earth and mineral. A wine I'd love to revisit in eight-to-ten years. (2914 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Melka Producer websiteCabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)Napa ValleySt. Helena |
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