CJ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Melka)

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15-20 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. After long experiences with famous wineries both in France and in California, in 1996 the two oenologist spouses Philippe and Cherie Melka decided to start their own label. Since then, the Melka estate has focused on producing wines that demonstrate the uniqueness of the site and terroir and include the CJ Cabernet and three single-vineyard Metisse wines (Jumping Goat, Martinez, and Montbleau). CJ Cabernet Sauvignon is a predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon blend, with additions of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The grapes come mainly from Evans and Broken Rock vineyards, located in Soda Canyon, a unique area in the Napa Valley near Oakville, and from other vineyards with which the winery has been collaborating for about 20 years. This wine is produced in limited quantities (about 1500 cases) and aged for 22 months in 40% new French oak. It is a powerful and rich wine, with a complex aromatic profile made of red and black fruits (strawberry, raspberry, and currant), mountain herbs, and tobacco leaves. On the palate, the wine is intensely juicy, with thick, supple tannins and an extended finish of plum and leather notes. Try with Texan-style barbecue or rich game stews.