Paderewski Vineyard Syrah
Our tenth vintage from this amazing vineyard that meets the high standards needed to produce a Syrah of distinction. Fermented in concrete and oak puncheons with no whole cluster this year in large part to maintain its freshness. The aromatics of dark red fruit, dry herbs, plum and sweet oak make for a very savory impression of the wine. The entry is soft and plush with freshness and vibrancy, which is what makes this wine so beautifully structured and balanced. The finish on this wine has such incredible length and the elegant tannins remind us of why we love Syrah.
100% SYRAH
Production: 125 cases
Bottling: April, 2023
Aging: 21 months 70% new French oak
"a rush of dark cherry, plum, mocha, tobacco and incense builds as this powerhouse Syrah fleshes out in the glass.”
- Antonio Galloni
Our ninth vintage from this vineyard meets the high standards needed to produce a Syrah of distinction. The complex aromatics of dark raspberry, dry herbs, black licorice and compact rocks are enticing and inviting. The wine is explosive and inky but with freshness and vibrancy which is what makes this wine so impeccably balanced. There is a notion of coastal influence with a slight saltiness and the length of finish is simply amazing.
100% SYRAH 12% WHOLE CLUSTER
Production: 180 cases
Bottling: April, 2021
Aging: 21 months 45% new French oak
"Inky and explosive to the core, the 2019 is endowed with layers of richness that explode in the glass.”
- Antonio Galloni
96 pts
Our seventh vintage from this vineyard that meets the high standards needed to produce a Syrah of distinction. The nose screams Old World with its rich, musky earthiness and notes of violet and gaminess. The wine is silky and sensuous yet dense with subtle minerality. The palate builds in texture and demonstrates outstanding varietal expression.
100% SYRAH 10% WHOLE CLUSTER
Production: 160 cases
Bottling: April 2019
Aging: 22 months 55% new French oak
Release: October 22, 2019
"A wine that brings us back to Philippe's homeland and allows us to celebrate how amazing a Rhône varietal can be in California.”
— Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors
Our sixth vintage from this vineyard that meets the high standards needed to produce a Syrah of distinction. The aromatics alone are so inviting and opulent with blackberry, blueberry, violet along with a smoky, meaty quality. The richness follows through in the pallet with an incredible seamlessness showing balanced tannins and a lingering finish. This is pure Syrah at its finest. Decanting is highly recommended.
100% SYRAH
Production: 130 cases
Bottling: May, 2018
Aging: 22 months 60% new French oak
Release: October 16, 2018
Suggested Retail: $95.00
"The combination of two separate blocks from this vineyard create a wine that demonstrates a pure expression of Syrah.”
— Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors
One of the most classic vintages to date, this 2015 Syrah will stand out among the five we've produced from this vineyard. The dark violet purple color segues into amazing aromatic fruit expression. Dark cherry, bacon and meaty components jump from the glass and hint to a wine with incredible texture. The fruit purity married with excellently balanced acidity results in a wine that is superbly refined. Fermented tin large 500 liter puncheons with 15% whole cluster provides the methods by which we can gain pure fruit expression.
100% SYRAH
Production: 120 cases
Bottling: August, 2016
Aging: 22 months 80% new French oak
Release: October 17, 2017
Suggested Retail: $95.00
"We feel that minimal manipulation of fruit is the key to showing this varietal's purity.”
— Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors
Our fourth vintage from this vineyard that meets the high standards needed to produce a Syrah of distinction, the Paderewski Vineyard continues to impress. The intense heat of the Central Valley coupled with the limestone soils, push this varietal to produce complex wine. Boasting aromatics of pepper and dark fruit, with hints of fall spices like nutmeg and cardamom - this rich, slightly gamey, opulent wine with well integrated tannins is a prime example of a Syrah with finesse. Decanting is highly recommended.
100% SYRAH
Production: 150 cases
Bottling: June, 2016
Aging: 22 months 70% new French oak
Release: October 25, 2016
"The combination of three separate blocks from this vineyard create a wine that has added depth, length and subtle power.”
~ Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors
After searching for a vineyard that meets the high standards needed to produce a Syrah of dinstinction, the Paderewski Vineyard was selected and each year we hand select the blocks that will be included for this wine. The wine is opulent with aromatics of red fruit with bacon and wild game. The limestone soils create a complex and savage wine that is precise yet rich with a long finish.
100% SYRAH
Production: 140 cases
Bottling: May, 2015
Aging: 21 months 65% new French oak puncheons
Release: October 20, 2015
Suggested Retail: $95.00
"The precision and defined notion of quiet power is the philosophy behind the desire to create this particular wine."
~Philippe & Cherie Melka, proprietors
This is the second production of Syrah ever to be produced by Melka Wines. After searching for a vineyard that meets the high standards needed to produce a Syrah of distinction, the Paderewski Vineyard was selected. Rich in limestone, the resultant wine is dense, polished, round and packed with aromas of dark fruit, black pepper, cedar and spice. Decanting is highly recommended.
100% Syrah
Production: 105 cases
Bottling: July, 2013
Aging: 21 months 65% new French oak barrels
Release: October 28, 2014
"It’s all about limestone. The many trips in Bordeaux, the numerous tastings that we have shared, created a mutual passion for enjoying specific wines made from grapes grown on limestone. The purity and redefined sensation of quiet power won our sensibility and appreciation for these wines.”
~ Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors
This wine marks the first Syrah ever to be produced by Melka Wines. After searching for a vineyard that meets the high standards needed to produce a Syrah of diistinction, the Paderewski Vineyard was selected. Rich in limestone, the resultant wine is dense, polished, round and elegant with aromas of dark fruit, black pepper, cedar and spice. This wine is all about finesse and length, finishing with long lasting aromas of berries and spice.
100% SYRAH
Production: 100 cases
Bottling: May, 2013
Aging: 20 months 75% new French oak
Release: October 22, 2013
"The goal in creating this wine was to produce a Syrah that was similar in style to some of the great Hermitage in France, not a classic Californian Syrah that usually have a tendency for overripe characters."
~Philippe & Cherie Melka, proprietors