| Producer | Melville |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Subregion | Sta Rita Hills |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 14604 |
| Size | 750ml |
The 2021 Melville Estate Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir is a brilliant pale ruby purple-garnet color in the glass. Wonderfully perfumed aromas of bright cherry, red plum, and spice notes can be found in the beautiful Pinot. Hints of lavender, herb, and savory sandalwood complement the core of fresh red fruits. The Melville Estate Pinot Noir is made from 16 different clones of Pinot grown ORGANICALLY on the estate. The wine is made with about 40% whole cluster fermentation which gives this gem wildly complex spice notes and polished tannins. This wine reminds me of Volnay with its lifted, mouth-watering red cherry and raspberry fruits so if you like Burgundy, this is a California Pinot not to be missed. The wine is gently pressed after a nearly 30-day maceration directly into all neutral French oak barrels for aging. Every care is taken to keep the process natural including minimal use of sulfur. This keeps the fruit character pure.
Lovely aromas of cherry pie and damp mint make for a fresh and complex nose on this estate bottling, one of the more affordable ones in the Melville lineup. The palate is firm in texture and blasted with acidity, showing black cherry, cola, mace, bay leaf and clove flavors, a classic expression of this appellation. *Editors’ Choice*
Medium ruby, the 2021 Pinot Noir Estate has alluring aromas of cranberry and orange jelly, forest floor and Angostura bitters. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with waves of juicy berry fruit supported by fine, chalky tannins, and it finishes long and layered. This was vinified using about 40% whole clusters.
The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate Sta. Rita Hills shows the more classic style of this estate today and is unquestionably a qualitative match for a top Premier Cru from Burgundy, albeit at about a fraction of the cost. Translucent ruby, with a gorgeous nose of peppery red and black cherry fruits as well as spring flowers, baking spices, and subtle briny, marine-like nuances, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, an elegant, lively mouthfeel, supple tannins, and perfectly integrated acidity. It will evolve gracefully for 8-10 years, if not longer.
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