Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Chocolate, leafy herbs, graphite, and mineral notes all emerge from the 2014 La Mekerra Vineyard, a gorgeously textured, concentrated, opulent wine. Based on Cabernet Franc and Merlot, aged 21 months in 60% new oak, it has building tannin, a layered, stacked mid-palate, and a great finish. It's a killer wine from this talented winemaker and should keep for 20-25 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Mekarra Proprietary Red is a Cheval Blanc-like blend of 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc from his vineyard in Knights Valley. It is a sexy, open-knit, expansive and savory style of wine, with loads of Christmas fruitcake, licorice, black cherry and blackcurrant jam, a touch of asphalt, and a long, full-bodied, voluptuously textured finish. It is very much in keeping with the easygoing but alluring and sexy style of the 2014s in Northern California. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
A small and picturesque valley separating Napa Valley on its south border and Alexander Valley to its north, Knights Valley excels in similar varieties as the two aforementioned appellations, namely red Bordeaux varieties and blends, as well as Sauvignon blanc. Originally established by Beringer Vineyards, today several outstanding producers claim acreage here. The circadian cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean create a nighttime respite for vineyards during the hot growing season.