2018 was a prolific year in the Melanson Vineyard on Pritchard Hill, with yield comparable to the lauded 2012 vintage but even higher quality, producing more concentrated, complex, and structured wine. Vineyard Manager Josh Clark’s vine-by-vine approach to farming this site since his 2016 arrival has fully optimized vineyard health, and the vigor of the vines is especially apparent in a banner year like this one. The abundance of quality fruit gave winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown the luxury of being even more selective than usual when it came to blending this 2018. Comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this 10.5-acre grower vineyard, it reveals deeply saturated black fruits to crushed rock to even more of the high-toned white flower component we’ve come to expect in Napa Valley wines from top-tier mountain sites. "Pure Napa Valley genius, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard comes from a vineyard on Pritchard Hill, just across from Colgin, and is all Cabernet brought up in around 80% new French oak. Stunningly pure notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, iron, crushed rock, and an almost meaty, bloody quality emerge from the glass, and this beauty is full-bodied, with a multi-dimensional, layered mouthfeel, loads of tannins, and a great, great finish. This flawless, heavenly Cabernet is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-30 years in cold cellars." -Jeb Dunnuck, 100 Points.