Melville Vineyards & Winery

Articles About Melville Vineyards & Winery

Reviewed Wines

2012 Melville Estate Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $36 (can be found discounted at retail). Released March 2014. 16 Pinot Noir clones. 40% whole cluster. 30 days skin and stem contact (7- day cold soak, 2+ weeks of fermentation and 1+ week of extended maceration). Aged sur lie in neutral French oak. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Appealing aromas of black raspberry, black peppercorn, spicy oak and old cask. Modest in weight with a good attack of darker berry and cherry fruits with accents of black tea, anise and savory herbs. A kiss of oak is complimentary. Nicely balanced with appealing elegance and up front appeal. Score: 90. Reviewed October 6, 2014 ARTICLE »

2010 Melville Terraces Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

15.2% alc., 465 cases. · Very dark purple color in the glass. The nose offers hi-tone aromas of dark red and black stone fruits and sandalwood. A hedonistic wine with uncommon intensity of purple fruits, finishing with a charge of sweet, very ripe, sappy fruit. Not my thing, but well done in its style. Very good. Reviewed July 21, 2013 ARTICLE »

2008 Melville Estate Verna’s Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $20. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Fruity and confected nose of red cherries, hard candy, and lavender. Pleasing dried cherry, strawberry and cranberry fruits smoothly textured with a short finish. Moderately light and simple with bright acidity on the finish. Good. Reviewed April 23, 2010 ARTICLE »

2007 Melville Estate Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

14.9% alc., $20. · Straw yellow in the glass. Appealing aromas of buttered toast, honey and lemon curd. Rich and bright on the palate with a tasty core of green apple, peach and honeydew flavors and toasty oak in the background. Hi-tone acidity brightens the finish. Well-endowed and full-bodied, this is very California at heart. Very good. Reviewed August 24, 2010 ARTICLE »

2007 Melville Estate Verna’s Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $23 (sold out). Clones 2A, 667, 777 and 828. Yields were 1.9 tons per acre. 67% of fruit was de-stemmed and 33% fermented as whole clusters. Total skin and stem contact averaged 30 days. Aged in 18% new French oak. · The nose is similar to the regular Estate bottling with bit more raspberry and strawberry fruit and more persistent barnyard. Demure sweet dark red fruits with hints of tea and minty leaves. Mild dry tannins and brisk acidity on the finish. A simple wine that you don’t need to contemplate to enjoy. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »

2007 Melville Estate Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

15.3% alc., $32. 14 Pinot Noir clones. Yields were 1.7 tons per acre. 67% of fruit was de-stemmed and 33% fermented as whole clusters. Total skin and stem contact averaged 30 days. Aged in 16% new French oak. · This wine needs some time to open up in the glass. On the nose there are primarily dark red fruits with hints of oak spice and minerals. Tasty red berry fruit accented by tea and pepper drops off on the finish. Medium weighted with mild dry tannins and a good spark of acidity. Holds its alcohol well. The flavors trump the aromas at this stage. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »

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2005 Melville Carrie’s Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

This is also off the charts. There is a striking complexity to both in aromatics and flavors. The Terraces may be more red fruit inspired and the Carrie’s more dark fruit driven, but both are refined and stylish. Alcohols are hefty. Classy wax seals also. Reviewed March 5, 2007 ARTICLE »

2005 Melville Terraces Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

This is off the charts. There is a striking complexity to both in aromatics and flavors. The Terraces may be more red fruit inspired and the Carrie’s more dark fruit driven, but both are refined and stylish. Alcohols are hefty. Classy wax seals also. Reviewed March 5, 2007 ARTICLE »