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

Paul T HB

9.0

Bought for $40.00, normally $125.00 and still $125.00 winery direct. They’ve gone the way of a paper label & shorter cork. But for 1/3 the price I’ll take the miner changes. Medium body compared to older vintages. If I paid release I would be disappointed but for $40.00 its definitely worthwhile K&L notes, Beau Vigne's heralded, rising star winemaker Julien Fayard, originally from France, has worked in esteemed cellars such as Lafite-Rothschild and Smith-Haut-Lafitte on his way to becoming Philippe Melka's Director of Winemaking for many iconic wineries across Napa Valley. The 2018 "Cult" Cab is Beau Vigne's estate fruit from a high elevation vineyard 1,400 feet up on Atlas Peak and another closer to the Silverado Trail.

Composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Cult is a blend of both of the estate vineyards: Stags Ridge and Soda Canyon, with 15% blended from Rutherford and Oakville. It was aged in 100% new oak. — 4 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Velvet velvet velvet.
This is the utmost in finesse. Ethereal wine. Not a lot of body and many might think its lean. I find it really excellent and its a Pomerol with Lafitte like tannins, drink or hold, your choice. Highly recommended. — 6 years ago

with Adriana

Bret Barker

9.2

I’ve reviewed this wine before - I prefer the 04 better:) but still great example for this producer. Medium bodied with dark cherry, graphite and little cedar. — 7 years ago

with Adam

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.6

Smith haut lafitte called..... they want their wine back. Omg I thought this would be good with clams but it actually needs about a decade (or two) to shed its baby fat. Incredible wine... serious wine..: — 7 years ago

Bret Barker

9.2

Holiday party fun: a little austere. Disappointed. Yes I know you are drinking lafitte! But nose is fantastic but fruit is a little lacking and tastes tight even after decanting. I continue to think 03 are over hyped — 7 years ago

Freddy Deane

9.3

For the price. Nice. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.3

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

90SB/5Sauvignon Gris/5 semillon. Decanted an hour. Bright. Limestone, grapefruit, and a green fruit (gooseberry?) aromatic. It’s both tropical (underripe pineapple) and mineral driven. Nervy with good acidity. Gains a more round profile toward the finish with sneaky tart fruit. Youthful and should age well. Fun to try next to the Melka Mekerra Proprietary white. — 2 years ago

Matthew Bull

9.0

Oh the joy. — 4 years ago

Jordi Pazo

8.9

Rest. Massana, Girona. Maridatge de Vins. 52,00.
01.02.20 — 5 years ago

Joshua Dalton

9.5

Excellent champagne — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This is Purlieu’s sister winery. We were the second tasting given in their new facilities just on the edge of Napa as you approach from American Canyon.

We started our visit with a splash of their 17 Sauvignon Blanc as we toured their new facilities.

A hybrid of tropical & dry style. It has understated tropicals of mango, pineapple, white citrus, peach, cut grass, round acidity and nicely polished finish.

Photos of, their lobby, labels of the assorted different producers that make their wines there and their tasting bar.

For those of you not familiar with Le Pich, I took this from their site...Le Pich, which is the Wappo Indian term for "golden eagle," is the sister label of Napa Valley's esteemed Purlieu Wines. The wines are crafted by rising star winemaker Julien Fayard. Originally from France, Julien has lived in the Napa Valley since 2006, when he and his wife agreed to settle down by “meeting halfway” — between his home in France… and hers in Sonoma. In France, Julien worked in both Provence and Bordeaux, where he defined his core winemaking style at the exalted first growth Château Lafite-Rothschild (he even lived in Lafite’s grand château for a period) as well as at Smith Haut Lafitte. In Napa, Julien worked at Quintessa before joining Atelier Melka, where he spent five years as the Director of Winemaking. He has worked with the likes of Lail Vineyards, Gemstone, Dalla Valle, and more and his Le Pich wines are some of the best values we've found in Napa Valley. — 7 years ago

Bret Barker

9.7

Holiday party fun: 2003 latour light years better than the 03 lafitte. I just love the latour nose. I could smell it all day long. Chewy full bodied with light tannins and the mineral and fruit, chocolate. Mmm get involved — 7 years ago

Patricia Schnitzer

9.0

Nov 26, 2017. Purchased in Bordeaux at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte tasting. Had tonight with cheese plate. Yum. Honey, apricots. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 07 Bordeaux’s have turned out better than critically reviewed young for many quality producers. I became aware of that in 2014 when I had the 07 Smith Haut-Lafitte at the property with beef stroganoff prepared by their chef at lunch. I wouldn’t hold the 07’s as long as I would hold many other vintages but drinking beautifully now.

Nose show’s floral, slightly ruby to baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, mixed dark berry cola, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals.

The palate/mouthfeel is ruby, lush and pretty. Crazy beautiful. Blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, a touch of purple fruits, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, candied tarriness, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, saline, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, dry soil, dry river stones, crushed rocks, mixed dark berry & cherry cola, red licorice, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals. Beautiful acidity. The lush finish is well balanced, nice structure even mix of fruit & earth and lasts two-minutes.

Great pair with the Allen Brothers Cowgirl Bone-in Ribeye.

Photos of Chateau Pape Clement’s magnificent property. — 2 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

Easy going champagne with a very vinous palate, with acid and a nice bready and lemony note and subtle bubbles and a silky layer on the sides. Aperitive champagne par excellence ! — 5 years ago

Ammo

9.0

Soft round almost chewy. Summer peaches. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals; dark, floral currants. Ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries blue fruits & dark cherries. Black licorice, lots of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, steeped dark fruit tea, soft volcanic minerals, soft leather, crushed dry rocks, blue & purple flowers with dark fresh & withering dark florals bouquet.

The body is full. The tannins nicely round & soft. The wine is juicy, delicious & easy to drink now. Ripe blackberries, black plum, black raspberries blue fruits & dark cherries. black licorice, lots of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, steeped dark fruit tea, soft volcanic minerals, soft leather, crushed dry rocks, suede leather, dry underbrush, mint, hints if dry herbs, woody notes, blue & purple flowers with dark fresh & withering dark florals bouquet. The acidity is well executed. The finish is round, balanced, juicy and delicious.

Photos of, their lobby, labels of the assorted different producers that make their wines there and their tasting bar.

For those of you not familiar with Le Pich, I took this from their site...Le Pich, which is the Wappo Indian term for "golden eagle," is the sister label of Napa Valley's esteemed Purlieu Wines. The wines are crafted by rising star winemaker Julien Fayard. Originally from France, Julien has lived in the Napa Valley since 2006, when he and his wife agreed to settle down by “meeting halfway” — between his home in France… and hers in Sonoma. In France, Julien worked in both Provence and Bordeaux, where he defined his core winemaking style at the exalted first growth Château Lafite-Rothschild (he even lived in Lafite’s grand château for a period) as well as at Smith Haut Lafitte. In Napa, Julien worked at Quintessa before joining Atelier Melka, where he spent five years as the Director of Winemaking. He has worked with the likes of; Lail Vineyards, Gemstone, Dalla Valle, and more.

Le Pich wines are some of the best values we've found in Napa Valley. — 7 years ago

Bret Barker

9.6

Holiday party fun: whoa nelly! Epic wine. Red fruit with some truffle. Rich of cedar maybe. So well rounded and much bolder than the 03 lafitte - little surprising but 00 is a much better vintage. Keeps evolving as we let it decant. Beautiful — 7 years ago

Tomi Mikkonen

9.2

2004 Millesime. Random-ostos Carrefourista, mutta niin hieno 2x EUR löytö. Vahva lähtö, mutta lyhyt loppu. Paljon luonnetta. Ostan uudelleen, jos löydän jostain. — 7 years ago