2017 Melka Mekerra Proprietary Red Vertical (2011-2016)

A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc all from Sonoma aged 20 months in 70% new oak, the 2017 Mekerra Proprietary Red is a plump, sexy 2017 with lots of chocolaty black cherry, dried herbs, vanilla, and smoked earth aromatics, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish.

The 2017 Proprietary Red Mekerra is superb. Rich and explosive on the palate, the 2017 Proprietary Red Mekerra exudes energy and vibrancy from start to finish. Super-ripe dark fruit, chocolate, spice, leather, menthol and licorice all run through this striking, voluptuous red from the Knights Valley estate vineyard. Red cherry jam, chocolate, espresso, mint and spice notes build with time in the glass. Picking a bit on the early side, in relative terms, yielded a wine that captures quite a bit of richness as well as freshness. Strong Cabernet Franc accents give the 2017 much of its considerable appeal.

This comes from a vineyard at very high altitude—2,300 to 2,500 feet—up above Peter Michael. A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Mekerra is deep garnet-purple colored and a little closed and broody to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal notions of warm cassis, blackberry preserves, baked black cherries and tar plus suggestions of unsmoked cigars, forest floor and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has good weight and loads of earthy and black fruit layers, framed by chewy tannins, finishing on a lingering savory note. This should age beautifully! 250 cases produced.