Dark chocolate, black cherry compote, thyme and mineral notes set the stage for a strikingly beautiful Melanson. Seamless and silky in the mouth with a gorgeous core of black fruits, mocha, sweet tobacco, herbs and spice. Has freshness, lift and a complex range of flavors intertwined with exceptional balance, creamy tannin and an extraordinary finish. Wow!
Greg Melanson has been growing Cabernet Sauvignon on Pritchard Hill since the 1980s. He and Todd Newman got to know each other while Todd was waiting tables at one of Napa Valley’s great restaurants of the past, The Martini House. That early friendship led to our lucky-break of getting Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon beginning in 2015.
Dakota Shy sources from a single southeast-facing block of the Melanson Vineyard. The vines struggle for water and organic nutrient in theses rocky volcanic soils; That struggle translates to exquisite wines - each vintage the Melanson has great depth and complexity and a truly luxurious texture.
Appellation | Napa Valley (Pritchard Hill) |
Blend | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barrel Aging | 18 months, 70% New French Oak |
Clones | Clone 7 |
Rootstocks | 110R |
Soils | Fractured volcanics and clay loam |
Vineyard Manager | Josh Clark |
Winemaker | Tom Garrett |
Production | 90 cases, 4 barrels |