2016 Westwood Estate Legend Proprietary Red Wine Sonoma County 750 ml

Last August, when we offered the 2015 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red Wine, it was one of the hits of the summer. This 2016 is even better. 

Wine Enthusiast called the Legend “intriguing and energetic” in its 96-point review, and couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about its “wild character” that surrounds its powerful flavors of raspberry, cherry, and plum.

This is the first vintage of Westwood that’s been made by internationally renowned winemaker Philippe Melka, and his magic touch is unmistakable. Melka is, after all, the Food & Wine Winemaker of the Year whom the LA Times has dubbed “Napa’s go-to virtuoso.”

Much of Westwood’s success is thanks to their biodynamically farmed estate vineyard, located a short drive from Napa, up winding roads over the Mayacamas mountains. On his first drive to the vineyard, Melka stopped and got out of his car at the edge of the Westwood Estate. He struggled to see beyond the two rows of vines in front of him because of the thick fog that is one of the site’s calling cards, but he could tell that this was someplace truly special. As the fog lifted, and streaks of sunlight bathed the vines in golden halos, the overwhelming beauty, and irresistible appeal of Westwood came into clear focus:

“I get it,” he said, squinting into the distance. “This place needs to express itself in your wines.” Proprietor Carl Stanton and Managing Director David Green asked him if he’d be interested in consulting. Melka shook his head. “I’m going to be your winemaker,” he said, “not your consultant.”

Since then, everyone has been floored by the improvement in quality that Melka and his team have achieved in both the winery and vineyard. Their willingness to break with expectations and do things a bit differently has resulted in wines that are among the most exciting in all of Sonoma. This one, with its unexpected blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Grenache, 14% Syrah, and 7% Mourvèdre, is a perfect example of why Westwood is poised for potential cult status.

Unlike those other bold-face names, however, this one is more than affordable, especially given the quality of the top-tier fruit and expert winemaking. Usually a wine of this pedigree would cost at least twice as much, but Stanton sees the project as a long-term investment: to promote the wines of Sonoma and get the best of them into the hands of consumers.

And given the quality of the legend-in-the-making vintage, it’s worth stocking up on this gem. Antonio Galloni called 2016 “fabulous” in Vinous, adding it is “one of the most consistently brilliant and alluring young vintages I have ever tasted.” Melka was able to translate all of that stellar potential into a wine that will be just as transporting in a decade as it is right now.