Ruud Verhagen

9.2

much better than the L’Esprit de Chevalier Blanc from the same vintage… — 22 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened prior to dinner and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 Blanc pours a deep straw color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and tart orchard fruit: grapefruit, Meyer lemon, verbena, crème brûlée, honeysuckle, some pyrazines, a touch grassy, and warm wet rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the fruit comes across a touch more round (vintage playing role) but the acid is definitely giving more than adequate lift. The finish is long. The texture is viscous. Drink now through 2035. — 3 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.3

Very peculiar spectrum of aromas. Freshly cutted pineapple and pear. White peach and grapefruit. Very nice and long finish.
A bit flex on the mid palate but lingering pleasant finish — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The Hora is their entry level wine from the young vines on their Estate.

It’s the lighter side of Bordeaux blended fruits; dark cherries, strawberries, blackberries. The body is thinner. More fruity & red floral than their Founders and Cathiard but certainly pleasurable to enjoy earlier inside 15 yrs.

Photos of my visit today. Impressive they copper all their own barrels. Believe they are the only ones in the Napa Valley that do.

Owners & founders since 2020 and is the same ownership as Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux. — 6 days ago

Jerry Raphael

9.2

OMG, berries, veg but so much going on with Booze Bros week at my beach house. Need to get some cash to buy Bordeaux again — 3 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.6

Little restrained on the nose but a nice creaminess and roundness. Moving to ripe and rich touch. On the palate is supple and creamy with a long lasting finish. Less immediate, it’ll need time. 96-97 — 4 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of ripe red fruit, rose petals, dried red flowers and eucalyptus. Red and black cherry/raspberry and boysenberry fruit on the palate along with additional notes of chocolate, toffee, savory spices and mint. Well integrated oak on the long and slightly chewy finish. Rustic, well balanced and beautifully aged. Thanks for sharing this one, Ron B! — 2 months ago

Ashraf Attal

9.2

Yasmine’s family — 2 months ago

Jack Krawczyk

9.4

needs ten more years. still tight - going to be amazing with the blackberry mellowing — 4 months ago

Shay A

9.4

This was served during my annual WWC hosting. Typical format of sparkler, three whites, four reds, one dessert, all served blind.

Decanted an hour. Acquired during a visit to Melka a few years back. Last bottle of a 3-pack, and poured next to a 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc. 100%SB and 100% barrel fermented. This was the SB that opened my eyes to how good SB could be 5-6yrs ago. The tropical aromatics (pineapple, lots of guava, white peach) alongside such a rich yet balanced palate (glycerin like, oak only noticeable in texture, not taste). Lemon cream with a puckering finish.

As an aside, I know these “super SauvBlancs” have become popular. Melka must be at the forefront thanks to involvement in V29, DANA, Lail, Melka, ADAMVS, and countless others from the Atelier Melka team. — 2 years ago