Melanson Vineyard Matthew's Block Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022

Consider ACME's two prominent roles: providing access to the best wines and championing the best of the unknown. Let's take Pritchard Hill, for example. Serious Napa Cab lovers can quickly recite a few famous wineries atop the Vaca Mountain range. Some of our most treasured allocations come from these majestic hilltop vines - Colgin, Bryant, Continuum, Gandona, and Ovid. Suffice it to say, we find it rewarding when we can uncover wines that deliver equal greatness yet are priced lower than the treasures with BIG names. Enter a perennial ACME favorite: MELANSON.

Those in the know cherish this exceptional vineyard in the heart of Pritchard Hill, surrounded by stately names and cult wines. Greg Melanson bought this extraordinary 10.5-acre property in 1988. Initially, he sold his grapes to many of the most sought-after winemakers in the valley: Heidi Barrett, TOR, Celia Welch, and Thomas Rivers Brown, to name a few. 2004-2008, Greg quietly made a small amount of wine from his estate. In early 2010, after joining up with winemaker Jeff Fontanella, he chose to start showcasing wine under his eponymous label. If you peruse the Pritchard Hill neighborhood to see what Greg's neighbors are selling their wine for (some eight times as much!), you will discover why this is one of the most incredible values in the valley.

This is one of the most incredible values in the valley—and yet another superior example of the potential of this celebrated vineyard. The common thread of this vineyard is structured tannins, a sturdy backbone of acidity, and deep, concentrated hillside fruit. The result is a wine with great intensity and complexity, with only a few barrels produced. Ruby red at the core, the explosive aromas of freshly baked blackberry pie, warm cassis, and dark black cherry harmonize with savory black tea and graphite notes. Ripe tannins and vibrant red fruit, followed by a defined, persistent finish, make this another great vintage that is cellar-worthy and certain to impress for many years to come!!