Le Châtelet Vineyard St. Emilion
Our 15th vintage from this amazing Right Bank Bordeaux site of Chateau Le Chatelet. The consistent and harmonious blend of two thirds - one third Merlot and Cabernet franc has proven to be an extremely well aging and balanced wine. Aromatics of dark cherry, leather, complex herbal notes, and rose petals scream old world wine. There is lovely minerality showcasing the terroir of the site with clay bringing earthiness and limestone some level of chewiness. This lovely wine adds a touch of diversity to our existing California wine portfolio.
67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet franc
100% barrel fermented
Production: 100 cases
Bottling: May 11th, 2023
Aging: 20 months in 50% new French oak
Release: July 16, 2024
"We are so proud to continue this limited production, from our french rooted terroir"
-Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors
Our 14th vintage from this amazing Right Bank Bordeaux site of Chateau Le Chatelet. The consistent and harmonious blend of two thirds - one third Merlot and Cabernet franc has proven to be an extremely well aging and balanced wine. Aromatics of dark cherry, leather, complex herbal notes, and rose petals scream old world wine. There is lovely minerality showcasing the terroir of the site with clay bringing earthiness and limestone some level of chewiness. This lovely wine adds a touch of diversity to our existing California wine portfolio.
67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet franc
100% barrel fermented
Production: 100 cases
Bottling: May, 2021
Aging: 20 months in 50% new French oak
Release: July 14, 2022
"The 2019 wines from St. Emilion combine the textural creaminess of the 2009 with the vibrancy of the 2010 and the slightly linear construction of the 2014 vintage" ~ Antonio Galloni
-Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors
Our twelfth vintage from this amazing right bank vineyard. The vintage saw a shorter growing season than usual but the resultant wines are extremely well balanced. The aromatics boast dark red Bing cherry with dry herbs, cardamom and spice. The Cabernet franc is surprisingly dominant on the nose.
The wine has a more savory profile as opposed to sweet, with amazing minerality, earthiness and the structure demonstrating purity and focus. The tannins are sublime and elegant. A very traditional Bordeaux worthy of long cellaring. Decanting suggested.
67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet franc
100% barrel fermented
Production: 100 cases
Bottling: May, 2019
Aging: 20 months in French oak
Release: July 14, 2020
"This is a wine for those seeking something extremely approachable while young yet worthy of cellaring 20 years or more."
-Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors
Our twelfth vintage from this amazing right bank vineyard. The vintage saw a shorter growing season than usual but the resultant wines are extremely well balanced. The aromatics boast dark red Bing cherry with dry herbs, cardamom and spice. The Cabernet franc is surprisingly dominant on the nose.
The wine has a more savory profile as opposed to sweet, with amazing minerality, earthiness and the structure demonstrating purity and focus. The tannins are sublime and elegant. A very traditional Bordeaux worthy of long cellaring. Decanting suggested.
67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet franc
100% barrel fermented
Production: 100 cases
Bottling: May, 2019
Aging: 20 months in French oak
Release: July 14, 2020
"This is a wine for those seeking something extremely approachable while young yet worthy of cellaring 20 years or more."
-Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors
Our eleventh vintage from this amazing right bank vineyard. The vintage saw early bud break, a wet spring and a long, warm and dry summer. 2015 and 2016 are the best back to back vintages since 2009 and 2010.
The wine has a very inviting nose of white chocolate, mixed berries, tobacco and earthy notes. It shows great energy all the while being very seductive and elegant. There is a beautiful length to the wine and both varietals clearly present themselves throughout – Cabernet franc giving the wine its shoulders, Merlot its middle and Franc again in the finish with its refined tannins. A very classic Bordeaux worthy of long cellaring. Decanting suggested.
67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet franc
100% barrel fermented
Production: 145 cases
Bottling: June, 2018
Aging: 20 months in French oak
Release: July 16, 2019
"This is a wine for an international palate yet finds its place in our portfolio of California wines because it is amazingly fresh, creamy and classy."
-Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors
Our tenth vintage from this amazing right bank vineyard that we have grown so fondly of. France had an early, warm summer and was graced with some beautiful wines coming from Bordeaux. This wine has inviting blueberry notes with creaminess, oak and spice showing seductive and elegant attributes. The richness along with great acidity, vibrancy and energy, makes this wine a very classic Bordeaux worthy of long cellaring. Decanting suggested.
67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet franc
100% barrel fermented
Production: 150 cases
Bottling: June, 2017
Aging: 20 months in French oak
Release: July 17, 2018
“Producing a world class wine in France to entice the Melka fan base is truly a joy and complements our wine portfolio perfectly."
-Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors
This small production effort from Philippe’s homeland has become a cherished member of our portfolio of wines. Imported by us and offered only to our loyal customers, this beautiful wine has been a delight to produce. Boasting incredible aromatics of fresh flowers, bright cherry, cedar and marjoram spice - this beautifully integrated wine exhibits an elegant entry and utter harmony between acidity and tannin. By far, one of our best efforts from this vineyard to date.
65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet franc
100% barrel fermented
Production: 145 cases
Bottling: July, 2016
Aging: 22 months in French oak barrels
65% new
Release: July 11, 2017
“The 2014 Le Châtelet Grand Cru Classé is truly a classic Bordeaux vintage – beautifully balanced and inviting."
-Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors
This small production effort from Philippe’s homeland has become a cherished member of our portfolio of wines. Imported by us and offered only to our loyal customers, this beautiful wine has quickly become one of our favorites. With aromatics of cherry, pepper and minty fresh herbs, the wine conjures up images of the forest floor. The wine is round and crisp with higher acidity which will absolutely thrill the purest of Bordeaux connoisseurs. Its tannic structure is firm and focused with a slight leathery feel. This is a wine that begs to be paired with rich fowl such as duck confit or a salade Landaise.
65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet franc
100% barrel fermented
Production: 145 cases
Bottling: July, 2015
Aging: 22 months in French oak barrels
70% new
Release: July 14, 2016
Suggested Retail: $165.00
“The 2013 Le Châtelet Grand Cru Classé is reminiscent of a classic Bordeaux vintage – cooler which shows purity of the fruit and crisp vibrancy.”
-Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors
This small production effort from Philippe's homeland has become a cherished member of our portfolio of wines. Imported by us and offered only to our loyal customers, this stunning wine has quickly become one of our favorites. With a truly unique nose full of bright cherry, plum and distinct varietal expression, this wine has a lovely soft entry with the Merlot while the Cabernet franc gives it its structure. The beauty in this wine is the balance and length of the finish with sweet lingering tannins. Recommended to decant. This wine can easily be enjoyed over the following 20+ years.
67% MERLOT, 33% CABERNET FRANC
100% BARREL FERMENTED
Production: 145 cases
Bottling: July 2014
Aging: 20 months in 70% new French Oak
Release: July 14, 2015
Suggested Retail: $165.00
"Marking our seventh offering from Château Le Chatelet, this Grand Cru Classé is back to a more traditional style of Bordeaux with this exquisite vintage. This is a Bordeaux at its finest."
- Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors
This vineyard located right next to downtown Saint Emilion is one of the most charming places on earth and produces wines of incredible depth. The 2010 impresses with its captivating bouquet of licorice and spice. This opulent, full bodied wine reveals superb purity and a layered mouthfeel with ripe tannins and crisp acidity. This wine can be enjoyed over the following 25+ years.
67% MERLOT, 33% CABERNET FRANC
100% BARREL FERMENTED
Production: 140 cases of 750ml
Bottling: July 2012
Aging: 20 months in 59 gallon barrels, 60% new oak
Release: May 7, 2013
This vineyard located right next to downtown Saint Emilion is one of the most charming places on earth and produces wines of incredible depth. 2009 has become the most acclaimed vintage in the last 50+ years.
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 100% Barrel Fermented
This vineyard located right next to downtown Saint Emilion is one of the most charming places on earth and produces wines of incredible depth. 2009 has become the most acclaimed vintage in the last 50+ years. The nose is pure raspberry and cherry confiture intermixed with rock, licorice, fennel and a subtlety of wood. This wine of sheer density and richness, boasts good vibrancy, viscosity and seamlessly integrated tannins. It is a very well structured wine that will benefit from a bit of cellaring and can be enjoyed over the following 25+ years.
Production: 120 cases of 750ml
Bottling: July 2010
Aging: 20 months in 59 gallon barrels, 75% new oak
Release: May1, 2012
This seamlessly integrated and balanced wine exhibits the essence of crushed rocks that emulate the typical terroir of Saint Emilion.
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet franc, 100% barrel fermented
Our third vintage from this fabulous vineyard right next to Beausejour Becot, the 2008 exhibits ripe, black cherry and chocolate notes with the addition of spice favoring cloves and tobacco. The entry of this wine is fluid and seamless showing exquisite balance and well integrated tannins. The texture soft yet not linear, with multi-dimensional character.
Production: 150 cases of 750ml
Bottling: July 2010
Aging: 20 months in 59 gallon barrels, 75% new oak
Release: Bastille Day 2011
This full-bodied wine is a wonderful expression of this great terroir which expresses finesse and complexity. An extreme selection process results in a blend of 30% cabernet franc and 70% merlot, achieving a perfect balance.
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet franc, 100% barrel fermented
Our second vintage from this wonderful vineyard right next to Beausejour Becot, this full-bodied wine is a wonderful expression of this great terroir which expresses finesse and complexity. After an extreme selection process, we feel that we have reached the perfect balance between cabernet franc and merlot. The refined aromatics of black fruits, cassis and graphite are seductive and inviting. This Grand Cru should cellar well for at least 10 years.
Production: 175 cases of 750ml
Bottling: July 2009
Aging: 20 months in 59 gallon barrels, 75% new oak
Release: Bastille Day 2010
Recommended to drink or hold - maturity 10 years
Barrel fermentations are instrumental to the integration and softness of the fruit resulting in a bouquet of crushed minerals, new saddle leather and bright cherry fruit.This medium bodied, earthy St. Emilion boasts a round and supple texture with a nice spicy finish. A charming wine that demonstrates good purity.
92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc
100% Barrel Fermented
Production: 100 cases
Bottling: May 2008
Aging: 19 months in 75% new French oak
Release: Bastille Day 2009
This is the inaugural vintage of our first ever-produced French wine that brings us back to
Philippe's roots in France. The vineyard is located on a beautiful site next to Beausejour Becot.
The soils of limestone and clay allow us to create a unique blend that will surely satisfy
the most discerning of French palates.
- Cherie & Philippe Melka, proprietors