• Joelene wrote: 95 points

    April 2, 2022 - Incredible again, enjoyed at Altius with Filet Mignon

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  • Rick Gomez Likes this wine: 94 points

    November 7, 2021 - Amazing taste! The tannins are well integrated and this vintage is certainly at its peak. I tasted tobacco, vanilla and berries before a long, supple finish

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  • Joelene wrote: 95 points

    April 18, 2021 - This wine was singing! Amazing Bordeaux like bouquet with sour cherry, hay and even some barnyard, some leather and baking spices. This is classy and drinking perfectly. Red and dark fruits on the smooth mouthfeel with Ludens cough drops and black cherry pie. This was really impressive and the wotn.... I have to check out more Melka wines!

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  • Sid G Likes this wine: 93 points

    July 10, 2020 - Beautifully balanced and ultra-smooth drinking. Classic cabernet nose. Dark color, dark fruit, delicious taste. A superior wine.

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  • Jd6725 Likes this wine: 92 points

    January 2, 2020 - Solid Napa wine, quite smooth at first but then tanins showed. Pnp, should have tried some with a decant. Stained my tongue purple though. Not sure what that was about

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  • Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 94 points

    October 19, 2019 - Sip…....Smooooth, Sip…….Smooooth!
    This has to be the shortest review I’ve ever done.

    If you really believe that I’ve got a bridge or two to sell you. Honestly, that’s what was going through my mind as I began drinking the wine for this episode of “Wine-Sum-More.”

    Unlike me, the last ten years have been good to this fantastic wine. A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot but 100% Napa Valley and aged for 20 months using 45% new French oak, the wine has integrated into the likes of a well-oiled machine. Wait, that’s a terrible metaphor. How about a subtle yet luxurious wine with a mouthfeel that lures you into ecstasy and beckons you to savor more of the dark rich fruit embraced by those smooth tannins and slight spice note for a long rapturous finish. Yeah, that’s A LOT better!

    It’s been a couple of years since I last reviewed this wine. My notes reflecting slightly more taut tannins that have, as you can guess, smoooothed over the last two years. Named for their children, Chloe and Jeremy, and made by one of my favorite winemakers, Philippe Melka; their CJ Wine represents an outstanding value for a wine from Napa Valley. Classically trained and a native of Bordeaux, his resume would contain working for and with some of the most notable winemakers in the world. Working with his wife, Cherie, they combine their talents to produce exceptional wines. For those seeking a slightly more “Old World” style yet favored by gorgeous lush fruit, this is a label you should seek out and try for yourself.

    It’s SMOOOOTH.

    Cheers

    2 people found this helpful Comment
  • Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 94 points

    December 25, 2017 - Having recently reviewed the 2008, I can say that the 2009 is far superior with regards to fruit integration and complexity. I recall that after the phenomenal 2007 vintage 2008 was considered good but with more earthiness then 2009 returned to better fruit notes. I would say that the difference between the 2008 CJ and 2009 reflects those same characteristics. A gorgeous wine with lush dark fruit, good tannins and a spiciness on the long finish. A great accompaniment to a beef tenderloin, sauteed mushrooms and roasted fingerling potatoes. Glad I have more.

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  • MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 92 points

    October 31, 2017 - Pop and pour improving slightly with time but likely a year or two past peak (my preference is to drink stuff like this younger). Super extracted style with minimal acid and even less structure. Cherry syrup, blackberry liqueur, vanilla extract, plums, chalky cassis... Some unfortunate barnyard on the nose that does not mesh well with this seeet style. Overall enjoyable to drink without food.

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  • michigan dogs Likes this wine: 92 points

    May 24, 2017 - initial funk on opening quickly blew off and everyone very much enjoyed.

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  • Weino wrote: 94 points

    December 6, 2016 - A wonderful full bodied wine! A lot going on! All of the classic cabernet notes to include dusty candied cherries on the nose. Slight anise, hint of licorice, tobacco, an interesting cherry-chocolate-cola aroma. Decanted for thirty minutes and then drank over the next two hours. I wish I had more.

    1 person found this helpful Comment