Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

The nose reveals; dark currants, blackberries, heavy black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries and some blueberries. Black tea, expresso roast, anise, crushed dry rocks, big vanilla, clove, a little nutmeg, dry underbrush, sweet tarry notes, leather, woody notes with dark fresh & withering flower bouquet.

The body is big and lush. The tannins are big, meaty and tarry. Very dark currants. Blackberries, heavy black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries and some blueberries & strawberries as they open up. Black tea, expresso roast, steeped fruit tea, anise, crushed dry rocks, dry clay, big graphite, big vanilla, dark spice, clove, light dry herbs, a little nutmeg, dry underbrush, sweet tarry notes, leather, cedar with violets dark fresh & withering flower bouquet. The acidity is round, fresh and beautiful. The big, long, well balanced finish is excellent and look forward to having this in 15-20 years. This one will be a stunner!

Photos of, the barn where they make wine and hosts tastings, our private tasting area inside William’s old office. William desk and their outside terrace area.

Producer history & notes...Seavey Vineyard is located along Conn Valley Road in the eastern hills of Napa Valley, about 15 minutes from the valley floor.

This historical property was originally a cattle ranch. However, records indicate grapes were planted on some of the hillsides as early as the 1870’s. The stone dairy barn, still in existence, was built in 1881.

William & Mary Seavey purchased this property in 1979. The estate was originally founded by the Franco-Swiss Farming Company in 1881 which, closed down when Phylloxera destroyed their grape vines and the Volstead Act (Prohibition) went into effect. At the time of their purchase, they were a horse and cattle ranch. They quickly planted the slopes with grapes and initially sold their fruit to Raymond Vineyards. They have never purchased grapes, all their wine is made from estate grapes. Their vineyards are separated into 20 plus individual blocks.

Today, the property is about 200 total acres of which, 40 acres are planted to vine. Their hillside vineyards produce low yields of rich concentrated fruit. A small block of Chardonnay grows in a cooler lower part of their property. Besides grapes, they also raise cattle which are used to graze the hillsides. They feed the vineyard with the cattle cuttings. In 2003, they were one of the first Napa wineries to install solar.

Mary passed away in 2008 and William died in 2016. There daughter Dorie returned to the family business and now oversees the winery operations. Her brother Arthur also handles national and some small international sales, primarily to restaurants. However, most of their wine is sold direct to consumers.

Seavey’s first commercial vintage was released in 1990 a year after they renovated the stone dairy barn into a working winery. Today this stone building is the centerpiece of the property and is where tastings are hosted.

Since 2011, Jim Duane has been their day to day Winemaker. He’s worked at Robert Mondavi and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. It should also be noted that Philippe Melka Winemaker/Consultant has been with Seavey since 1995...one of Philippe’s two initial wine making jobs in the Napa Valley were with Seavey and Lail Vineyards.

Seavy makes about 3,200 cases annually depending on what mother nature brings. They make around two hundred cases of Chardonnay, slightly more Merlot and the rest is of the production is comprised of their Caravina and Estate Cabernets.
— 7 years ago

Erik Wochna

9.2

10' vintage...killer wine, gonna make a Melka groupie out of me — 8 years ago

Susan Sangiacomo

9.0

My thoughts are all over with this wine. First off, I love Melka. However there is something off with this wine. Some musty flavor, and not the good old cab musty flavor that I usually like. My initial experience with this wine wasn't positive. I visited the winery and I learned more about the packaging than the wine creation. So I couldn't help but be disappointed (instead of impressed) when I received my first shipment, because I felt I was paying for all that packaging that I threw away instead of the juice. Note to winery: sell the site, the grapes, the winemaker....who cares about the label and box. — 8 years ago

Sara Beth Wilson

9.3

Such a smooth and delicious Cabernet. A great Melka wine. — 9 years ago

Rafael Landestoy

9.2

Awesome and affordable Melka touched cab. — 9 years ago

with Ilida

DAG

9.5

A beautiful floral and spice nose complimenting this traditional Bordeaux blend that bathes the palate with soft bright fruits of merlot and the back end structure of a classic cab franc. It's darn good. — 9 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.5

This is such an amazing wine made by celebrated Philippe Melka. Beautiful nose of dark fruits, florals, tea with berries, cassis and chocolate on the palate. Full-bodied with well-integrated tannins, this the third vintage I've had of this wine and it continues to impress (though the '09 continues to be my favorite). Can't wait to try the '12. (Tasting notes 8/8 after 1 hour decant) — 10 years ago

Rafael Landestoy

9.0

Melka wine for a great price. Needs a lot of time but was nice to see what it will be. Not a great vintage but still good. — 10 years ago

with Ilida

Jerae Knutson

DuMOL Member Services

10

Kristine Ashe Vineyards. Philippe Melka crafting. Hand picked. Hand sorted. Unreal. 2013 Vintage. — 10 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.4

Ummmmmm, believable....

94 points — 7 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.8

Napa Gold!!!! Epic Chardonnay from Gandona.
Another piece of heaven crafted by Melka! — 7 years ago

with Kirk and Christine

Eric

9.4

One of my very favorite blends. Melka produced. Great balance. — 8 years ago

Paul T HB

9.6

Bottle # 2 is finished now, 4 left
Its better on the 2nd day, if you can hold off not drinking the entire bottle the first day.
Glass cork is cool, had a french one last year with same glass top, kinda of a pain to open but nice presentation when you take it to a party. — 8 years ago

Jana Jarvis

9.5

Vintage 2009. Can smell fruit of blackberries, cherries & blueberries up front. Not too tannic. Drinking well at the beginning and end. Balanced. — 9 years ago

with Jared

Matt Trader

9.2

Wow. As delectable as imagined. Very inviting to the nose of vanilla, golden baked apple and sweet baking spices on the nose. The pallet was very balanced between its use of oak, spark of acidity, and malo. The butter quality softened some of the acid, making it great alone, but in the end it went so well with creamy cheese, and even a blue cheese crumble on a green salad, with Harry & David Pears and walnuts and a light vinaigrette. Moone Tsai, you've done it again, thank you Larry and Marry-Ann Tsai, and Mr. Melka! — 9 years ago

Katherine Bordelon

Court of Master Sommelier Guild member

9.3

The Bordeaux-style offering from Robyn Lail with wine maker Phillipe Melka. — 9 years ago

with Mary and Edmond

E Alvelais

9.5

Tremendous Howell Mountain CS by Philippe Melka. — 9 years ago

with Alvaro

Ryan Carey

Founder Wine Confidential

9.4

I love Moone-Tsai (it's pronounced "Chai", by the way). For a Philippe Melka wine, I find them to be very under the radar. Their 2012s are exceptional - among the best in Napa Valley — 10 years ago

Stephen Jackshaw

9.3

Melka can do no wrong. The cab backbone on this stands out — 10 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

This wine is in a good spot right now. Don't think that any more bottle aging would do this one any better. The nose is volcanic, blackberry, medium to full bodied. The middle of this wine develops a little bit of plum and cocoa powder in the middle and some black pepper on the finish. More tannin than I thought it was going to have. Melka wine doing really well right now. — 7 years ago

with Dan

UGAWineDawg

9.1

11/20/17 - One fine Philippe Melka product - opened up nicely and exhibited Melka’s silky smoothness. Hints of dark fruits, ripe berries and a nice tannin touch that finished well. A true value play here. — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Second wine at Great Falls Wine Outlet this Friday and second Skipstone. Deep garnet red. A little savory on the nose with some earthiness, tobacco, animal nuances, plums, and spices. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. A bit bigger than the 2005 but not as integrated. Dark plums on the palate with some floral notes and crushed gravel. Long and lingering finish. Definitely has potential to improve. Drink till 2025. (92+)

Made up of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc. Made by Philippe Melka. Selling for $109.99 at The Great Falls Wine Outlet. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Mark Yurko

9.5

Amazing wine from Melka — 8 years ago

David L

9.3

12' Dana Hershey Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has settled down quite nicely. Pop & pour this amazing SB. Let it open up in your glass for about 15 minutes. Pineapple, honey, melon...moderate acidity & creaminess throughout the palate. Just a beautiful wine!
17 months in oak. If you enjoy BIG tropical style SB's this is it
Melka now has his own & Dana near the top of my California SB's! Edit- Tasting much better the second hour. — 8 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.5

I was not familiar with Roy, but was luckily persuaded to pick this signed bottle up a while back. Looking for something off the norm for the Christmas traditional Italian Beef Braciole, and this big blend from Shirley Roy and planted by Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer, and made by that guy that keeps on making most of the wines they I love...Philippe Melka. So glad I bought this, but also so mad that I only got the one...ignoring my usual mantra...buy 3. One to try, one to share, and one to squirrel away for yourself. Earthiness is there, without being too dirty. More like a truffle. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot. Deep dark color and dark fruits with a bit of cocoa and oak. After 2 1/2 hours in decanter, it was nothing less than ...Impressive. — 9 years ago

with Lauren and Katherine

Justin Brilman

9.3

Creamy and luscious with tropical fruits. Melka never disappoints — 9 years ago

Rob Sternthal

9.3

Very young but surprisingly good. That being said Melka rarely disappoints. — 10 years ago

Adam Pashea

9.5

Melka ▶Clapton — 10 years ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.6

Does it get better than this? Philippe Melka rocks it. — 10 years ago

with Sung

Jim Anderson

9.8

Firing on all cylinders tonight! Everything I look for in a Cab and Melka always delivers! Power and depth with grace and elegance. Great mouth feel... Ripe, well integrated tanins with vibrant acidity, but still very balanced and harmonious. Complex layers of red, blue and black fruits and berries, nuanced minerality and graphite, BDX-like earth tones, sweet sage herb and and an extra long finish. — 10 years ago