Westwood Wine Introduces Legend Red Blend With Winemaker Phillipe Melka
Westwood Wine has released a newly reimagined vintage 2016 Legend Red Blend, the first wine refined under the direction of celebrated winemaker Philippe Melka, who joined the winery in the spring of 2018.
First released in Vintage 2014 as a traditional GSM (Grenache – Syrah – Mourvèdre) blend, Melka and his team from Atelier Melka have crafted an entirely new approach combining both Rhône varietals from the Biodynamically farmed Annadel Gap Estate vineyard and selections from iconic Napa and Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards, leveraging the unique access of the Atelier Melka team.
It should come as no surprise that the first wine of the Westwood Melka era would combine the varietal he is best known for – Cabernet Sauvignon – with carefully selected lots of Rhône varietals that have achieved singular acclaim for Westwood, said Westwood Managing Director David Green. The first Melka directed Westwood 2017 Sangiacomo/Roberts Road Chardonnay and small lot, limited production Pinot Noirs from the Annadel Gap Estate Vineyard will release this Spring. A reserve level Estate Syrah from Annadel Gap will follow.
The power of Cabernet Sauvignon complements perfectly the unique expressions of the Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from the relatively cool Annadel Gap site in a wine described as both hedonistic and elegant, well-structured and complex with soft, persistent tannins in a wine meant for immediate enjoyment. The wine has been aged for 20 months in 100% French Oak, 56% new, with alcohol at 14.8%.
Distinctive Legend motifs include a black wax-like cartouche hand-applied on the bottle, where other Westwood wines feature a red seal.
Westwood wines may be experienced at the Westwood Tasting Salon near Vine Alley, just off the Sonoma Square. Reservations are encouraged at www.westwoodwine.com [707] 933-7837.
