2016 Melka Mekerra Vineyard
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Moving to the reds, the 2016 Merlot Mekerra is 100% Merlot brought up 60% new French oak. Named after a river in Algeria, it boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as medium to full body, a layered, rich texture, plenty of minerality, and impressive notes of black cherries, blackberries, licorice, camphor, and chocolate. It’s a ripe, sexy Merlot to drink over the coming 10-12 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Melka's 2016 Proprietary Red Mekerra, the estate's Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend, is terrific. Aromatic, deep and sumptuous, the 2016 is absolutely gorgeous today. Wild flowers, tobacco, cedar, menthol, cured meat and dark red cherry fruit are all pushed forward. The Franc is quite expressive today, but what impresses me most about the 2016 is how much it has softened with time in barrel.
The 2016 Mekerra Proprietary Red is a blend of 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Merlot aged for 20 months in 70% new 225-liter French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with a textbook plum-laced nose plus notes of warm redcurrants, Black Forest cake and black pepper with touches of garrigue, cedar chest, pencil lead and lavender. Big, wonderfully concentrated and sporting loads of dried herbs and red fruit accents, it has a solid backbone of grainy tannins and great freshness defining the long finish. 425 cases produced.
The 2016 Proprietary Red Mekerra is focused and tense in style, with perhaps a bit less overt fruit than the 2015, but a touch more drive. Today, the 2016 is a bit closed in on itself and not especially expressive in its aromatics, but it is also quite persistent and nuanced through to the finish. There is plenty to look forward to.