Nathan Renfro

9.1

Definitely improves with air time. Recommend decant of at least 45 min. Really softens up and fruit shines. Black and dark red fruit. Licorice, earthy. Medium finish. — 3 months ago

Shay A

9.3

I’m 92-93 here. I think there is a chance this improves slightly over the next 12-18 months before staying at peak and then trending down.

I don’t drink much SauvBlanc (I’d rather just have bubbles) but this SB is like the Goldilocks of Cali SauvBlanc…it’s not the rich, Bordeaux Blanc style (Melka, V29, Lail Georgia, etc) but it’s also not the boring, forgetful SauvBlanc so many wineries create just because. It has Bordeaux Blanc qualities but with a bright twist…there’s grapefruit, tangerine and white peach aromatically, but even while there’s just a kiss of oak on the palate to round it out, it’s nestled between sea spray, lemon and limestone. Almost tart, but pulls back thanks to the oak. Wonderful QPR here — 9 months ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

Compared to the Lail Georgia SB, this one definitely is lighter bodied, but definitely has a nice, crisp tropical Style. Was getting lots of peach and nectarine. Key lime. Very satisfying. Would be a Sauvignon Blanc worthy to put in the regular summer rotation. QPR on this wine is a touch on the poor side. I think this one will hold for 5 years or so. — 5 years ago

with Dan

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Luxury, lush, ripe Cabernet. — 6 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. — 9 months ago

David L

9.1

Robert Pepi Vine Hill Ranch. Vines at the time 30+years old. If you can find 1981-87. I recommend trying a bottle. Now the hillside portion of this winery are sold to...Tor, Araujo, Lail, ETC. Valley floor is all Cakebread. — 4 years ago

Brian S

9.8

I was blinded and thought it was a burgundy or Chablis, so surprised. Many types of orange, lemon, lime, chalk, pear, green apple, white chocolate, by far the best American SB I have ever had and up there with anything French. Well done! — 8 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

Man. I really like this. A great example of what it is.

Nose is fresh crushed grapes in your hand. Some earth. Library book. As this opens licorice flower.

Palate is so fresh. Some lovely bitterness. Amazing texture. So fresh in such a grapey way. This Burrgundian sweetness.

The wine they serve by the glass in God’s Bistro. Man. I’d pay $1,000 to have this with some lentils and saucison lail right fucking now.

For what this is , it’s a 10/10.

Bought from fass selections — 3 years ago

Sandy Lieberman

9.7

Delicious! Complex wine — 3 years ago

with Drew

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. — 6 years ago