2011 Melka Jumping Goat Vineyard Metisse

Melka Wines was created in Napa Valley in 1996 by Philippe and Cherie Melka. The couple are both experienced wine professionals. Philippe, who is from Bordeaux, worked at Chateau Haut-Brion, Petrus, Dominus, and estates in Australia and Italy while earning degrees in winemaking. He became an internationally recognized winemaking consultant and continues to consult. Cheri, a microbiologist by education, ran the laboratory at Ridge Vineyards before meeting Philippe and attending the University of Bordeaux in winemaking. She worked at several Napa Valley producers before helping start Melka Wines. Melka makes Bordeaux-style red wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah and Merlot-based blends. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that Melka makes “top notch Bordeaux-style wine... (That) is beautiful, high quality wine meant for aging.”

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.