Pulido~Walker

Between boulders clinging stubbornly to the steep slopes of Pritchard Hill, the Melanson Vineyard sits east of Oakville among some of the most highly regarded and closely held vineyard properties in the Napa Valley. Vines grow at elevations from 1,100 to 1,380 ft. above sea level, in fractured serpentine and clay soils laden with igneous and seabed rock. Melanson’s southwestern exposure is a distinct advantage, especially at elevations that translate to later bud break and harvest. Solar radiation is magnified at this altitude, while variations between high and low temperatures are moderated. The result is mountain fruit with thicker skins and higher tannins. The ink-black, super-concentrated berries are powerfully expressive of the site, with pronounced granite minerality. The higher tannins give the wine more structure with less weight on the palate and excellent aging potential. Vineyard Facts: Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley Site: 10.5 acres on Pritchard Hill, adjacent to Colgin Estate Elevation: 1,100–1,380 ft. Soil Composition: Fractured serpentine and clay with igneous and seabed rock Planted: 1999 Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Clones: 7 and 337

“What separates the best valley floor sites from good valley floor sites is their ability to drain,” explains winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Panek Vineyard blankets a rocky, gently sloping knoll in the shadow of the Mayacamas Mountains along the old Napa River bed wash. The loamy soil, with its highly compacted alluvial deposits of gravel, provides optimal drainage. The valley basin is also more temperate than the hillsides surrounding St. Helena, making it ideal for slower ripening and full development of flavors. These elements coalesce in low yields of reliably superb fruit. Vines at Panek are densely spaced and pruned using the “two straight cane” method, which requires a specific skill set and hands-on, time-intensive attention. The ultimate goal is to allow the “site to shine through” the wine. Vineyard Facts: Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley Site: 5.5 acres east of Highway 29, north of Turley Winery, adjacent to Aida Vineyard Soil Composition: Black loam, crushed gravel Planted: 2004 Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Clones: 4, 6, 7, and 169