2022 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 52% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Franc
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 50% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak50%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date April 2024
Production Details Produced as 165 cases of 750 mL bottles and 5 cases of 1.5 L bottles; matured for 19 months in French oak, 50% new; released September 23, 2025.
Tasting Notes Black cherry, graphite, dark chocolate and tobacco; concentrated and structured, with lush minerality, complex tannins and a smooth, lingering finish.
Critics Ratings 95
Sources: www.melkaestates.com ↗ · Compare this vintage
2021 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 53% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 85% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak85%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date June 2023
Production Details Produced as 310 cases of 750 mL bottles and 10 cases of 1.5 L bottles; matured for 19 months in French oak, 85% new; released September 24, 2024.
Tasting Notes Deep garnet; dark fruit, plum, mocha and pepper; velvety, juicy, rich and dense, with acidity, leathery tannins and a powerful finish.
2019 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 53% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 85% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak85%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date June 2021
Production Details Produced as 230 cases of 750 mL bottles and 10 cases of 1.5 L bottles; matured for 19 months in French oak, 85% new; released September 27, 2022.
Tasting Notes Deep garnet; dark fruit, plum, mocha and pepper; velvety, juicy, rich and dense, with acidity, leathery tannins and a powerful finish.
Critics Ratings 97
2018 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 65% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak65%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date June 2020
Production Details Produced as 250 cases of 750 mL bottles and 15 cases of 1.5 L bottles; matured for 19 months in French oak, 65% new; released September 22, 2021.
Tasting Notes Inky red fruit, raspberry jam, blood orange and exotic spice; Merlot-led entry, Cabernet Franc depth and density, chewy tannins, minerality and a lingering savory finish.
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2017 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 65% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak65%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date June 2019
Production Details Produced as 250 cases of 750 mL bottles and 15 cases of 1.5 L bottles; matured for 19 months in French oak, 65% new; released September 22, 2020.
Tasting Notes Ripe dark blackberry, tobacco, leather and crushed rock; Merlot-led entry, Cabernet Franc depth, chewy tannins, minerality and a lingering savory finish.
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2016 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 59% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Franc
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 70% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak70%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date June 2018
Production Details Produced as 375 cases of 750 mL bottles and 30 cases of 1.5 L bottles; matured for 20 months in French oak, 70% new; released September 17, 2019.
Tasting Notes Fig jam, dried violet, cedar, black pepper, lavender and red currant; sumptuous and concentrated but not heavy, with freshness on the long finish.
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2015 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 53% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot
Region Knights Valley
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date August 2017
Production Details Produced as 360 cases of 750 mL bottles and 40 cases of 1.5 L bottles; matured for 20 months in French oak; released September 18, 2018.
Tasting Notes Cabernet Franc typicity, dry herbs and ripe compote; loamy, muscular tension, energy, balance and age-worthiness.
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2014 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 51% Cabernet Franc, 49% Merlot
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 60% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak60%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date June 2016
Production Details Produced as 350 cases; matured for 21 months in French oak, 60% new; released October 17, 2017.
Tasting Notes Smoke, tar, raspberry and herbs; silky, creamy entry with energy and brightness, Merlot-like influence, sublime tannins and finesse.
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2013 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 53% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 60% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak60%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date August 24, 2015
Production Details Produced as 400 cases; matured for 20 months in French oak, 60% new; released September 20, 2016.
Tasting Notes Wild raspberry and graphite; lush, dense, creamy and layered, with integrated acidity, Cabernet Franc structure and Merlot richness.
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2012 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 51% Cabernet Franc, 49% Merlot
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 80% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak80%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date July 2014
Production Details Produced as 350 cases; matured for 20 months in French oak, 80% new; released September 22, 2015.
Tasting Notes Floral notes, spice and dark fruit from Merlot, with Cabernet Franc acidity, tannins, structure and aromatic intensity; opulent and pure.
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2011 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 51% Cabernet Franc, 49% Merlot
Drinking Window Producer states that the wine can age 15–25 years
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 80% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak80%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date December 2013
Production Details Produced as 340 cases; matured for 26 months in French oak, 80% new; released September 23, 2014.
Tasting Notes Blackberry, tobacco, floral notes and spice; dense, lush and balanced, with a long, lingering finish.
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2010 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 53% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window Producer states that the wine can age 15–20 years
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 75% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak75%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date April 2013
Production Details Produced as 175 cases; matured for 22 months in French oak, 75% new; released September 24, 2013.
Tasting Notes Mocha, blackberry, grilled herbs, cedar and new leather; rich and unctuous, with seamless structure and a long finish.
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2009 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 67% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot
Region Knights Valley
Harvest Dates Merlot and Cabernet Franc were harvested during the last week of September 2009
Oak Details 75% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak75%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date August 2011
Production Details Produced as 175 cases; matured for 22 months in French oak, 75% new; released February 19, 2013.
Tasting Notes Cherry, blueberry, violet, graphite and clove; velvety texture, ripe fruit, integrated tannins and lasting berry flavors.
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2008 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window Producer states that the wine should drink well for 15–20 years
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 75% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak75%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date August 2010
Production Details Produced as 200 cases; matured for 22 months in French oak, 75% new; bottle-aged for more than one year before release; released February 14, 2012.
Tasting Notes Dried flowers, tea, chocolate, plum, anise and kirsch; plump, dense and balanced.
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2007 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc
Region Knights Valley
Oak Details 80% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak80%
Oak Types French oak
Bottling Date August 2009
Production Details Inaugural vintage; produced as 155 cases; matured for 22 months in French oak, 80% new; released in fall 2010.
Tasting Notes Chocolate, spice box and sweet blackcurrant; expansive, velvety and intense, with supple tannins and a long, fleshy finish.
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| Reference | Vintage / size | Price / bottle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine-SearcherLWIN 1792418 | — | — | wine-searcher.com ↗ |