2008 Melka Metisse Jumping Goat Vineyard

The 2008 Metisse Cabernet Sauvignon Jumping Goat Vineyard is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot and 7% Merlot aged in French oak, of which 85% was new. The wine, which is made at the Vineyard 29 high-tech facility north of St. Helena, possesses a dense saturated ruby/purple color as well as a sweet kiss of black currants, cedar, toast, gravel and flowers. Ripe and medium to full-bodied with velvety tannins (a Melka trademark), this multidimensional, layered, rich, supple wine can be drunk now and over the next 15+ years. This is the personal project of the increasingly respected and well-known French winemaking consultant, Philippe Melka, and his wife, Cherie. Their negociant blend called CJ comes from three Napa Valley sources, two in the southern region (Soda Canyon and Coombsville) and one from the northern sector of Calistoga. The La Mekerra Vineyard produces Melka's Pomerol/St.-Emilion-styled wine. It is normally a blend of two-thirds Merlot and one-third Cabernet Franc from Knight's Valley. Tel. (707) 963-6008; Fax (707) 963-4546

Good deep ruby. More minerally on the nose than the 2007, with aromas of blueberry, licorice and crushed stone. Dense, sweet and energetic, with currant and chocolate flavors lifted by a spicy component. Can't quite match the 2007 for depth, but this softer wine shows lovely sweetness and early harmony and finishes with very fine tannins.