At twenty years, the label, foil and most importantly, the fill level and cork were in ideal condition. This was likely at its apex although not likely to improve with further cellar aging. Bright ruby colored, medium-full bodied, full round bright vibrant flavors of sweet plum, blackberry and black currants with notes of mocha, caramel and violets with hints of creosote on a smooth polished fine tannin laced lingering finish. https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2023/12/christmas-dinner-offers-medley-of.html
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Incredible flavors and structure. Decanted for an hour and the wine is still going strong. Very floral bouquet, rich texture, and bursting with fruit. Medium to firm tannins that means the wine stays with you all throughout. Remarkable taste and packs a big bunch. Disagree completely with the prior review.
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Dark and opaque. Musty, chocolate, dark fruit nose, smells a bit old. Big, concentrated, high alcohol style, moderate tannin, lacking adequate fruit. Coarse and one-dimensional. Long, hot aftertaste. Disappointing...glad this is my last bottle. Ric
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Dark garnet, opaque. Not much aroma, one-dimensional. The palate is austere, lacks much fruit, is tannic and not charming. The aftertaste is the same. I know Melka's wines are highly rated, but I have always found them lacking fruit and charm. I don't think more time will improve it, so I will drink my final bottle before too long. Ric
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Still very dark garnet and opaque. Moderately pronounced complex cabernet aromas of cassis and blackberries, with toasty French oak. However, as with most Melka wines, the flavors are more dominated by tannin than fruit, lacking the charm and elegance they should have, especially for a wine that, at 13 years, should be at its peak. I don't think further aging will change that balance. Drink this up before it loses the fruit it has. Because they are too tannic for the fruit, I stopped buying Melka wines some years ago.. Ric
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Still dark garnet, opaque. Moderate aroma of cassis, but some pruniness. Austere on the palate, not a lot of fruit. I think it's beyond its peak and should be drunk. Ric
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Last of six. If I learned anything it's that you cannot pop and pour this now twelve year old wine. It needs serious air to become drinkable. Deep purple out of the bottle. Nose of dark fruit, wet saddle leather, tincture of iodine, heavyweight fruit on the palate--with other Bordeaux-like complexity. The finish is lengthy. This wine should only be consumed with food.
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Nice mature plummy red/tawny color. Classic, almost old world Cabernet nose with a nearly perfect balance of black fruit, glycerin, soil, and clove accented French oak. For all its intensity and saturation, the Metisse is gorgeous, almost feminine. In the mouth the tannins don't quite stand up to the fairly high acid but that's nitpicking really. Open an hour now and this is singing with a tertiary component only time can give a wine, black olive tapenade reminding me of the Riscal reserva, and fruit that seems to be becoming more precise yet integrated. This really is well made. No shame in opening the Metisse now but it will improve over the next three years and drink well into 2020. Killer juice.
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Dark garnet-purple, completely opaque. Deep cassis and black fruit aromas of moderate intensity. Full-bodied flavors, also black fruits with slight anise, viscous and mouth-coating. Fairly pronounced tannin, too prominent for the fruit, which is somewhat austere. Long aftertaste, but also austere and tannic. This has less charm and little complexity and is disappointing. I don't think more time is going to improve it.
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Allowed to breathe in the bottle for 3 hours. Lovely Bordeaux style nose with mixed dark fruits, flowers and a little smokiness. Full bodied with nice texture. Black cherry, blueberry and plum on the palate with some secondary notes of cedar, tobacco and graphite. Good balance with no fall off in intensity on the mid palate. The finish is just about 30 seconds with moderate tannins still in evidence. Very nice effort which i think is probably going to get better over the next few years. Certainly enjoyable now with a moderate amount of aeration.
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Fairly deep red color that has a viscous, glass-coating appearance. Right upon opening, a lovely and extremely rich bouquet fills the room with its scent of perfectly ripe dark berry fruit, black cherries and plum. There is also complexity on the nose, with florals and a dose of oak present in the background. Full-bodied, tannic, concentrated, and youthful in the mouth, this wine comes across with more acidity than most cabernets, but the tannins and fruit balance it well. At this point, the wine is delicious and will definitely benefit from years in the cellar to shed some of its youthful character. Long, consistent finish.
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Opened for about 15 minutes but not decanted. Served New Years Eve. Quick notes: mushroom, grape must with dark chocolate and raisin fruit ending with a sweet and dry finish. Between this wine and the Sisters, the Metisse stood above with a rounder and fuller profile. Good to Very Good.
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with dinner at market. this is the third time ive had this and the first time in awhile. it's impressing me less each time and i think that's because ive had better stuff since then and becoming more picky about oak. there is a dense purple to look at here, and a lovely lilac floral nose. the floral component carries over on the palate where the oak translates to lavender. there is also cassis in there and while not as rich or decadent as a sqn or something, it's in that realm of bigger wine. that said, it's a little flat on the finish and besides the violet, lilac, lavender thing going on there's nothing suprising or particularly interesting here for me anymore. i barely give it a 91, it's more like a 90+ at this point. for $80 or whatever it is i think i can do better.
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The color was amazingly black, with purple at the edges. The predominant flavors on the palate were chocolate, with a hint of blackberry fruit. There was not much of a nose. I think this was way too young, and closed down. There is fruit lurking under the massive texture, but it was not readily apparent now. The alcohol seemed high to some of the people who shared the bottle. It feels like there is potential here given the massive, rich texture, and dark color, but its hidden now. I'm rating this as it drinks now. It might rate higher later. Bottom line -- closed down. Wait a couple of years. Don't open until at least 2010.
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Popped and quickly splash decanted; big berry nose but there's more to come with time; rich palate with hefty tannin but good overall structure; needs time; 91-93+?
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[steak] Double-splash decanted, drank over 3 hours; continued to improve. On the nose cassis, cherries, carmel, and mint. Opened with harsh tannins which remained firm but subsided over time. The palate was dominated by candied cherry liquor and a touch of oak. More extracted/Cali style than I expected, but certainly not more than I like. Previously had the '01(?) CJ which I found to be green and austere. Long lingering finish. Needs 3-5 more years then will last for many more.
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12/29/2023 - rmcnees wrote: 92 Points
At twenty years, the label, foil and most importantly, the fill level and cork were in ideal condition. This was likely at its apex although not likely to improve with further cellar aging.
Bright ruby colored, medium-full bodied, full round bright vibrant flavors of sweet plum, blackberry and black currants with notes of mocha, caramel and violets with hints of creosote on a smooth polished fine tannin laced lingering finish.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2023/12/christmas-dinner-offers-medley-of.html
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8/13/2020 - Rick Gomez Likes this wine: 95 Points
Incredible flavors and structure. Decanted for an hour and the wine is still going strong. Very floral bouquet, rich texture, and bursting with fruit. Medium to firm tannins that means the wine stays with you all throughout. Remarkable taste and packs a big bunch. Disagree completely with the prior review.
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7/4/2020 - jhngo Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Man this has soft blue fruit sweet fragrant nose but the finish is tannic and so drying it ruins everything. From mag.
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11/16/2016 - Ex-Ray wrote: 86 Points
Dark and opaque. Musty, chocolate, dark fruit nose, smells a bit old. Big, concentrated, high alcohol style, moderate tannin, lacking adequate fruit. Coarse and one-dimensional. Long, hot aftertaste. Disappointing...glad this is my last bottle.
Ric
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5/9/2016 - Ex-Ray wrote: 85 Points
Dark garnet, opaque. Not much aroma, one-dimensional. The palate is austere, lacks much fruit, is tannic and not charming. The aftertaste is the same. I know Melka's wines are highly rated, but I have always found them lacking fruit and charm. I don't think more time will improve it, so I will drink my final bottle before too long.
Ric
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3/1/2016 - Ex-Ray wrote: 86 Points
Still very dark garnet and opaque. Moderately pronounced complex cabernet aromas of cassis and blackberries, with toasty French oak. However, as with most Melka wines, the flavors are more dominated by tannin than fruit, lacking the charm and elegance they should have, especially for a wine that, at 13 years, should be at its peak. I don't think further aging will change that balance. Drink this up before it loses the fruit it has. Because they are too tannic for the fruit, I stopped buying Melka wines some years ago..
Ric
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5/5/2015 - Ex-Ray wrote: 83 Points
Still dark garnet, opaque. Moderate aroma of cassis, but some pruniness. Austere on the palate, not a lot of fruit. I think it's beyond its peak and should be drunk.
Ric
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1/22/2015 - jbro Likes this wine: 88 Points
Last of six. If I learned anything it's that you cannot pop and pour this now twelve year old wine. It needs serious air to become drinkable. Deep purple out of the bottle. Nose of dark fruit, wet saddle leather, tincture of iodine, heavyweight fruit on the palate--with other Bordeaux-like complexity. The finish is lengthy. This wine should only be consumed with food.
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12/31/2013 - Dental Jay wrote:
Doing very well at this point. Didn't need that much time and seemed to be ready to go right out of the bottle. A treat for me.
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7/26/2013 - kanjimoti wrote: 92 Points
Nice mature plummy red/tawny color. Classic, almost old world Cabernet nose with a nearly perfect balance of black fruit, glycerin, soil, and clove accented French oak. For all its intensity and saturation, the Metisse is gorgeous, almost feminine. In the mouth the tannins don't quite stand up to the fairly high acid but that's nitpicking really. Open an hour now and this is singing with a tertiary component only time can give a wine, black olive tapenade reminding me of the Riscal reserva, and fruit that seems to be becoming more precise yet integrated. This really is well made. No shame in opening the Metisse now but it will improve over the next three years and drink well into 2020. Killer juice.
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5/2/2013 - Ex-Ray wrote: 86 Points
Dark garnet-purple, completely opaque. Deep cassis and black fruit aromas of moderate intensity. Full-bodied flavors, also black fruits with slight anise, viscous and mouth-coating. Fairly pronounced tannin, too prominent for the fruit, which is somewhat austere. Long aftertaste, but also austere and tannic. This has less charm and little complexity and is disappointing. I don't think more time is going to improve it.
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9/13/2012 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big nose and big taste. A little hot on the finish. Needs 5 more years to mellow.
See more detail at
http://maximumsatisfaction.tumblr.com/post/31506036581
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8/2/2011 - Yamadori wrote: 92 Points
Allowed to breathe in the bottle for 3 hours. Lovely Bordeaux style nose with mixed dark fruits, flowers and a little smokiness. Full bodied with nice texture. Black cherry, blueberry and plum on the palate with some secondary notes of cedar, tobacco and graphite. Good balance with no fall off in intensity on the mid palate. The finish is just about 30 seconds with moderate tannins still in evidence. Very nice effort which i think is probably going to get better over the next few years. Certainly enjoyable now with a moderate amount of aeration.
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5/6/2011 - shaferguy91 wrote: 91 Points
No decant.
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1/26/2010 - hyperman wrote: 94 Points
Lovely berries, dark fruits and long firm finish. Drank on Grace's birthday. Need to get more of this
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2/14/2009 - Vin de Florin wrote:
Fairly deep red color that has a viscous, glass-coating appearance. Right upon opening, a lovely and extremely rich bouquet fills the room with its scent of perfectly ripe dark berry fruit, black cherries and plum. There is also complexity on the nose, with florals and a dose of oak present in the background. Full-bodied, tannic, concentrated, and youthful in the mouth, this wine comes across with more acidity than most cabernets, but the tannins and fruit balance it well. At this point, the wine is delicious and will definitely benefit from years in the cellar to shed some of its youthful character. Long, consistent finish.
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1/2/2009 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened for about 15 minutes but not decanted. Served New Years Eve. Quick notes: mushroom, grape must with dark chocolate and raisin fruit ending with a sweet and dry finish. Between this wine and the Sisters, the Metisse stood above with a rounder and fuller profile. Good to Very Good.
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10/25/2008 - mike l. wrote: 91 Points
with dinner at market. this is the third time ive had this and the first time in awhile. it's impressing me less each time and i think that's because ive had better stuff since then and becoming more picky about oak. there is a dense purple to look at here, and a lovely lilac floral nose. the floral component carries over on the palate where the oak translates to lavender. there is also cassis in there and while not as rich or decadent as a sqn or something, it's in that realm of bigger wine. that said, it's a little flat on the finish and besides the violet, lilac, lavender thing going on there's nothing suprising or particularly interesting here for me anymore. i barely give it a 91, it's more like a 90+ at this point. for $80 or whatever it is i think i can do better.
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6/1/2008 - Phin wrote: 93 Points
1 hour decant. Red and blue fruits. Smooth and complete.
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2/27/2008 - Tparodi wrote: 94 Points
excellent wine - great fruit and structure with soft tannis.
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9/14/2007 - A&C wrote: 89 Points
The color was amazingly black, with purple at the edges. The predominant flavors on the palate were chocolate, with a hint of blackberry fruit. There was not much of a nose. I think this was way too young, and closed down. There is fruit lurking under the massive texture, but it was not readily apparent now. The alcohol seemed high to some of the people who shared the bottle. It feels like there is potential here given the massive, rich texture, and dark color, but its hidden now. I'm rating this as it drinks now. It might rate higher later. Bottom line -- closed down. Wait a couple of years. Don't open until at least 2010.
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11/15/2006 - Patrick wrote:
Popped and quickly splash decanted; big berry nose but there's more to come with time; rich palate with hefty tannin but good overall structure; needs time; 91-93+?
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11/14/2006 - VinMan wrote: 91 Points
Sharp & tannic, could use a little age to mellow just a little.
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10/29/2006 - 32lakeviewwine wrote: 93 Points
Very good, but needs more time. Could age another 10 years.
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8/6/2006 - 97mjr wrote: 93 Points
[steak] Double-splash decanted, drank over 3 hours; continued to improve. On the nose cassis, cherries, carmel, and mint. Opened with harsh tannins which remained firm but subsided over time. The palate was dominated by candied cherry liquor and a touch of oak. More extracted/Cali style than I expected, but certainly not more than I like. Previously had the '01(?) CJ which I found to be green and austere. Long lingering finish. Needs 3-5 more years then will last for many more.
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