2018 TOR Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

WA93-95 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. A barrel sample, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard sports a very deep purple-black color. It leaps from the glass with flamboyant notions of crushed blackberries, black raspberries and fresh blackcurrants with suggestions of cardamom, camphor, pencil shavings and wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate is classically styled, with bags of poise and freshness, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing on a lingering mineral note.Estate Notes:  As has been the case every year since 2013 when we started in this amazing site on Pritchard Hill, there is no mistaking Melanson in the line up of Tor Cabernets. There is always a more red fruited/brite side to Melanson as opposed to our West side Oakville Cabernets that are mostly black fruits. The dark fruit profile of 2018 makes this one of the darker Melanson we have ever made yet it still retains the intense mountain driven charac- ter that have made this a marquee site on Pritchard Hill.  360 cases.