Merlot

Melka Mekerra Sonoma
Select Vintage

  Having fallen in love with the Merlot from this vineyard, we continue to dedicate ourselves to producing this single varietal bottling.  Have a dark bluish purple color, the aromatics hit full on with dark chocolate, tobacco, and savory herbs.  An extremely luscious Merlot that is medium to full bodied, with amazingly bright energy and superb balance.  The palate is chock full of dark fruits, smooth tannins and a finish that has layers of spices and stays with you a very long time.

100% MERLOT
100% KNIGHTS VALLEY

Production: 190 cases
Bottling: May, 2021
Aging: 19 months in French oak, 50% new
Release: September 27, 2022

"This gorgeous single varietal has proven year after year its richness, vibrancy and focus are very pure and profound."

~ Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors

  Having fallen in love with the Merlot from this vineyard, we continue to dedicate ourselves to producing this single varietal bottling.  Boasting a deep garnet purple color, the aromatics hit full on with black cherry, tobacco, chocolate and savory herbs. An extremely elegant Merlot that is medium to full bodied, lush with amazingly bright energy and superb balance.  The palate is chock full of dark fruits, velvety tannins and a finish that has layers of spices and goes on forever.

100% MERLOT
100% KNIGHTS VALLEY

Production: 150 cases
Bottling: June, 2020
Aging: 19 months in French oak, 50% new
Release: September 21 2021

"This is our fourth bottling of this single varietal and we continue to love the richness and vibrancy that the soils bring to the personality of this wine."

~ Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors

  Having fallen in love with the Merlot from this vineyard, we continue to dedicate ourselves to producing this single varietal bottling.  Boasting a deep garnet purple color, the aromatics hit full on with black cherry, tobacco, chocolate and savory herbs. An extremely elegant Merlot that is medium to full bodied, lush with amazingly bright energy and superb balance.  The palate is chock full of dark fruits, velvety tannins and a finish that has layers of spices and goes on forever.

100% MERLOT
100% KNIGHTS VALLEY

Production: 150 cases
Bottling: June, 2019
Aging: 19 months in French oak, 50% new
Release: September 22, 2020

"This is our fourth bottling of this single varietal and we continue to love the richness and vibrancy that the soils bring to the personality of this wine."

~ Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors

Having fallen in love with the Merlot from this vineyard, we continue to dedicate ourselves to producing this single varietal bottling.  2016 was a fabulous growing season with vineyards demonstrating depth and finesse.  The aromatics reveal rich, dark fruit, black currants laced with undertones of leather and tobacco.  The mid palate boasts creaminess along with a lush, layered texture.  This wine demonstrates how ripe fruit can be crafted in a extremely elegant style.

100% MERLOT
100% KNIGHTS VALLEY

Production: 150 cases
Bottling: June, 2018
Aging: 19 months in French oak, 60% new
Release: September 17, 2019

"This is our third bottling of this single varietal and we are thrilled to be shocking our non-Merlot drinkers with a wine that surprise with its complexity and balance."

~ Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors

WA:  93 pts     Vinous:  93 pts

Having fallen in love with the Merlot from this vineyard, we've decided to commit ourselves to producing this single varietal bottling to show consumers a truly well-made Merlot. The aromatics show concentration and youthfulness boasting dark fruit laced with rich undertones of compote which lead into an amazing mid palate. The wine hnishes with amazing balance and hnesse. It is generous and hring on all cylinders - attack, mid palate and hnish. A multi-dimensional wine of exceptional quality.

100% MERLOT
100% KNIGHTS VALLEY

Production: 175 cases
Bottling: August, 2017
Aging: 22 months in French oak, 60% new
Release: September 18, 2018

"This is truly a Merlot made for Cab lovers - a wine meant for aging that has many layers of complexity
and richness."

~ Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors

Available exclusively to VIP/Elite members

Our first production of single varietal Merlot coming from this 2300 foot elevation vineyard in Knights Valley.  The Merlot that complements the Cabernet franc in our Proprietary Red has proven to be so voluptuous, that we decided to bottle some on its own.  The nose screams chocolate, cherry, ripe and sweet and the surprise comes when the wine enters the mouth.  Silky, sensuous and not at al over extracted, this expression of this varietal is spot on.  We say goodbye to the movie "Sideways" with this stunning Merlot.

100% MERLOT
100% KNIGHTS VALLEY

Production: 50 cases
Bottling: June, 2016
Aging: 21 months in 50% new French oak
Release: May 23, 2017

“The decision to make a single bottling of Merlot was an easy one.  We make the wines we love to drink, and this wine is no exception."

~ Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors