2015 Mélange - Le Chanceux

Chocolate covered strawberry, coffee grounds, juicy black raspberry. Purple plum skin, eucalyptus leaf, mixed currant purée. Tart blackberry, reduced pomegranate, and cassis collide with blooming violet, dried mint, and cigar box in a fascinatingly perfumed and elegant demonstration. Natural tones of cedar and clean mountain air gradually emerge to extend the fresh and lively aromatics aided by a dusting of clove, nutmeg, and delicate baking spice. Worn leather and rolling tobacco appear with time to battle turned loam and Graham cracker crumbs in an impressively serious, contemplative, and cerebral display. Classic and restrained on the palate with a remarkably lifted and complex bouquet; showcasing unmanipulated transparency and raw deliciousness that is both charming and captivating. Medium plus in body with pronounced pixelated tannin and wonderfully elevated acidity. This 2015 "Mélange" by Le Chanceux is an authentic and delightfully enticing Napa Valley red blend.

One of the most exciting elements of wine production in new world regions it the freedom it allows winemakers to experiment away from the confines of strict regulations. This bottling, crafted by Le Chanceux using a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Syrah sourced from within Napa Valley, wonderfully encapsulates the allure of Napa terroir in a somewhat unconventional package. It is balanced, bright, and terrifically elegant; containing discernible influences from each element of its composition. It gracefully expresses the structure and poise of Cab Sauv paired with the herbal complexity of Cab Franc bolstered by slightly smoky and gamy nuance from a pinch of Syrah, and brings them all together in a delicious and refined package. An outstanding micro-production cuvée by a small family-owned Napa gem.