We got an unbelievable deal of Philippe Melka’s delicious 2018 Be Human Red: a truly high-quality Cabernet blend from perhaps THE premier Cabernet growing region of Washington State, the Red Hills. And we really should be selling this for more. (Everybody else is.)
The vineyards in fact adjoin the famed Klipsun Vineyard, whose own 2018 Cabernet sells for $150. (And isn’t even made by Melka!)
At 91 points, Suckling rates this the best Be Human wine to date, saying:
Black licorice, redcurrant, tar and ground espresso on the nose. Full-bodied with fine, silky tannins and lovely, fresh floral character. Good concentration and length.
Indeed, he rates it just a point behind the same producer’s flagship $110 Aquilini Cabernet (which boasts 96 and 97-point Wine Advocate scores!).
And from CellarTracker:
Near inky dark color in the glass with black cherry, cassis, plum, a dash of vanilla, and some spice. The palate is quite fruity with some good depth and some soft, but noticeable tannins. This could use a bit more tartness to balance out the fruit, but this is a stellar effort for under twenty bucks.
You really could compare this to Melka’s hugely popular Slam Dunk reds. It’s as packed with delicious flavor, but being a Cabernet blend as opposed to Petite Sirah and Zinfandel, it’s much more elegant, classy and refined.
And we like it better, too!