Beckstoffer's 2009 Melee is labelled a "red wine," but it's grenache, augmented only by five percent of Syrah. From the moment you pick up the bottle, you sense this is a special (read expensive) wine. The wine is dark red velvet in color with a rich red nose. It's rich, with an initial taste of red-fruit and then a touch of roasted meat. There's a warmth in the mouth and a primal nature to the wine, a rich but animalistic robustness, like a caged tiger in a velvet robe. It's perfect for fall, and exceptional for the price.
Every new generation needs to find their own place in life, and Tuck has clearly found his in producing exceptional wines at very reasonable prices. Of course, he has an advantage in his father's ownership of some of the best fruit in the valley, but this wine comes from a vineyard he found and sourced himself. His achievement here is his, and his winemaker Drew Huffine's, alone.
Fewer than 1,000 cases of the Melee 2009 were made, so the wine is available "first come first serve" at meleewines.com. It sells for $30 online and drinks like $50-$60.
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