If you have been to a tasting at ACME you have most likely
heard us divulge our undying love for Melanson Vineyards on Pritchard
Hill. We have been honored to offer a
vertical collection of these special wines over the last few years and here we
are putting the cherry on top with the latest release of the 2016 vintage. 2016 is said to be the finest vintage yet in
a five year stretch of exceptional vintages in the Napa Valley. And this new bottling of Melanson
substantiates that claim. A true hidden
gem sitting in the very center of Pritchard Hill, the most prestigious
sub-region in the valley, the Melanson Vineyard is simply as good as it
gets.
The Melanson Vineyard Story
Some
of the most elite and coveted wines from the Napa Valley come from a distinct
and exceptional area east of Oakville on Pritchard Hill. These treasured vineyards are said to have
the sophistication of Oakville but with the extra intensity of a hillside
vineyard. Ranging between 800-2000 feet
in elevation, these vineyards shine well above the fog line that blankets over
the Napa Valley floor in the mornings, and are planted in volcanic red clay,
loam soil providing mineral driven, intensely flavored grapes with thick
skins. Only a handful of wineries are
perched up on this illustrious hill.
Napa Valley's Royals...
You
know the names: Continuum, Colgin, Ovid, Chappellet, Bryant Family. In the heart of Pritchard Hill sits the Melanson Vineyard, surrounded by these
stately names and cult wines. Greg
Melanson bought this exceptional property in 1988 with 10.5 acres of vineyards
on it and sold his grapes to the most sought after winemakers in the valley including
Thomas Brown, Heidi Barrett, and Celia
Welch. From 2004-2007, he quietly
made a small amount for his own production, but in early 2008, after joining
with winemaker Jeff Fontanella, he
decided to start sharing his wine under his own label. While you will see a handful of vintners
still sourcing from this vineyard, Greg's own bottling under the Melanson label
you will hardly see outside of California.
And if you peruse the Pritchard Hill neighborhood to see what Greg's
neighbors are selling their wine for (some as much as 8 times as much!) you
will discover that this is one of the
most incredible values in the valley.
It
would be hard to say that the wines from Melanson could get any better, but
this model mountain site on Pritchard Hill, skillful winemaking, and an
epically perfect growing season, the 2016 is Melanson at its very best. A common thread of this vineyard of
structured tannins, sturdy backbone of acidity, and deep, concentrated hillside
fruit are at the center of this wine.
Dark black cherries, redcurrants, and ripe, juicy plum fill the palate
along with notes of graphite, crushed violet, dark chocolate, and toasted
exotic spice. Full-bodied and
voluptuous, balanced with depth and masculinity, this has everything I have
loved individually of the past several vintages all wrapped up in one perfect
bottle. Only 120 cases produced for this
vintage.
