2011 Melka Sauvignon Blanc La Mekerra Vineyard

The newest offering, which is probably modeled after Robin Lail-s incredible Sauvignon Blanc Georgia, is the 2011 Mekerra Sauvignon Blanc from Knights Valley. It is a blend of 97% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle from hillside parcels that is fermented in French oak with indigenous yeasts. There is not much of it, but this is a killer Sauvignon boasting an exotic tropical, honeyed personality much in the California style of fruit, but also focused and structured, along the lines of a top Pessac-Leognan. Rich and medium to full-bodied, the Melkas have hit a home run with this sensational 2011 white wine. It should drink nicely for at least 4-5 years, possibly longer. Philippe Melka is one of the most respected and successful of the French-born, Bordeaux-educated oenologists working in California. He and his wife Cherie have been doing terrific consulting work for many years, and while he no doubt has to face the same absurd criticisms that some of his colleagues like Michel Rolland confront (all the wines taste the same as all of their clients- wines), nothing could be further from the truth. Melka also has the grit to put his own name on a couple of interesting wines, especially his project in the Knights Valley as well as his Jumping Goat Vineyard wine from St. Helena. Melka always jokes with me that I-m not allowed to score his wines higher than his clients-. However, they are what they are, and these are extremely impressive wines that demand to be taken seriously. Melka-s red wine comes from a site not far from where Peter Michael makes their famed Bordeaux blend, Les Pavots. La Mekerra is usually a blend of nearly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot aged 24-26 months in French oak, of which about half is new. Tel. (707) 963-6008