2016 TOR ‘Melanson Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Greg Melanson’s vineyard on Pritchard Hill is very steep, with rows running up and down the hill directly across from Colgin winery. Beyond Colgin its rocky face looks down at Napa Valley’s floor. Very deep purple-black in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard has a vibrant nose of black cherries, blackberries, violets and cedar with hints of lavender, chocolate box, earth, mocha and unsmoked cigars. The palate is full, rich, muscular, concentrated and lively with very firm, very grainy tannins and a long finish with camphor hints.
JD96 The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Melason Vineyard is another beautiful wine and comes from the site directly across from Colgin. Blackberries, bay leaf, camphor, savory herbs, and graphite notes all flow to a beautiful, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, layered Cabernet Sauvignon that has a singular character, plenty of structure, and a great, great finish.

The Melanson Vineyard Cabernet always stands out for its dense Pritchard Hill fruit profile. This year’s version has that same profile but with a bit more finesse and a very seamless palate impression. This has loads of baking spices and red fruits on the nose. On the palate there is the classic blue and black fruits of Pritchard Hill. A classic Melanson Cabernet in a vintage with outstanding class and refinement.