Happy Valentine’s Day!

We’re lovestruck.

Astounded.

Floored.

Wow.

A single-vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot made by Philippe Melka with 60% off. Seriously?!

We hate to pat ourselves in the back needlessly but this one warrants it. At $60 this is a superb buy that belongs in the league of the elite. At this price, it’s the winning lottery ticket.

And not from just some random vineyard, but an impeccably farmed source for visionaries like Copain, Halcón, Drew, Sean Thackrey, and Saintsbury, consistently producing gorgeous Pinots from it. Described by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate as “a cool, maritime-influenced vineyard that sits 500 feet above the Anderson Valley, planted on a steep west-facing hillside” lo and behold, it sure is a site to be seen.

Now try to imagine what can become of that quality fruit in the hands of Melka. Those who know, know Melka’s style well. A native of Bordeaux, he started at Château Haut-Brion. From there, he came to Dominus and Napa Valley proved to be a revelation for Melka, but he returned to France to deepen his expertise at ** Château Pétrus** before moving back to build his legacy, helping shape wineries such as Hundred Acre, Bryant Family, Dalla Valle, and Dana Estates.

Today, he consults for a handful of lucky smaller clients as well, such as Apriori, named after the Latin phrase ‘a priori’ for deductive reasoning. Originally a spinoff of Vice Versa, a 100-point earning sister label, Apriori bloomed on its own by sourcing stunning fruit with the liberty to blend and experiment outside of Napa’s varietals and stylistic limitations. Robert Parker notes that “The Apriori wines are made by Philippe Melka for owner Patrice Breton, who also produces outstanding wines under the Vice Versa label. They are all relatively small, high-quality lots from some of the finest vineyards…”

Lights up the glass delightfully with a smooth gradient of garnet to fuchsia. The nose is refreshing, clean, and bright, carrying enticing aromas of violets, fresh plum, rhubarb, and floral essence of gardenia and rose. Taking a sip immerses your palate in a medley of fresh berry flavors with cherry and raspberry holding court joined in by yellow plum with some subtle vanilla and light oak. Delicious, while its main strength is the silky mouthfeel with the pitch-perfect tannin that undergirds the wine. Boasting serious umami, this begs for spiced up but not overtly spicy ethnic fare.

Why you may be wondering has this not sold out at the winery? It will be shortly at this price, and what got this deal going is the wine press sleeping on the wheel, this has ZERO ratings and reviews, except for our still open jaws.

Here today, gone tomorrow. Or sooner. Act now.