TOR‘Melanson Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Vineyard grower, Greg Melanson, describes the location of his vineyard best. “If you look at a map of Pritchard Hill, this property is literally right in the middle of Colgin, Ovid, and Continuum. We’re really lucky to have ended up here.” Greg’s 10.5-acre Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard rests at 1200 feet in elevation and is very steep, with rows running up and down the hill while its rocky face looks down at Napa Valley’s floor. Thanks to the very steep hillside site, this vintage proves to show minerality and intense dark fruits. The 2019 “is certainly one of the plushest Melanson’s we have made since we first started from here in 2013. There is the typical tannin structure off Pritchard Hill but this year the perception of the tannin is more supple and smooth. Notes of crème de cassis, baked plums, and blackberry pie plus hints of tar, garrigue, beef drippings and fragrant earth fill the glass. It is full-bodied and the palate is laden with generous black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and lovely freshness.”