Melville Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Estate 2006

This is 100% Melville fruit from our Santa Rita Hills estate, and is a collection of 14 pinot noir clones. Yields were 2.7 lbs. / plant, and was hand-harvested over a five week period. 55% of the fruit was gently de-stemmed with 45% fermented as whole-clusters in small (1.5 ton) open-top fermenters. Total skin and stalk contact averaged 30 days (7 day cold soak, 2 + weeks of fermentation and 1 + week extended maceration.) From the press, the wine was transferred directly into barrel (20% new Sirugue French oak), where it remained sur lie with no sulfur until April, when it was gently pressure-racked read more...for the first time and prepared for bottling in July. 15.1% alcohol. Tasting Notes: A beautiful red and black color shines from the glass with fresh fruit aromatics of red currants, black raspberry, black cherry and umbeoshi. Spicy and herbal components of mocha, maple, thyme, clove and orange -black tea also emanate while nuances of ocean spray, white-oil flowers and crushed minerals thread through the background. On the palate, the wine blankets your mouth with a sensation that is plush, velvety and weighty yet remains driven and defined.    (hide)

October 2008

Wine Tasting NotesA beautiful red and black color shines from the glass with fresh fruit aromatics of red currants, black raspberry, black cherry and umbeoshi. Spicy and herbal components of mocha, maple, thyme, clove and orange -black tea also emanate while nuances of ocean spray, white-oil flowers and crushed minerals thread through the background. On the palate, the wine blankets your mouth with a sensation that is plush, velvety and weighty yet remains driven and defined.

January 2009

Nice, but not so interesting, and somewhat sweet.

February 2008

The best of the Melvilles I tasted, this wine had earth, raspberry, and mushroom aromas, with sweet top notes. Good acidity. Finish suggests that it will deepen in time, developing more earth notes as an undertow to the aromas.

June 2008

Too Fruity even when decanted still does not provide a smooth finish

July 2008

"Light red. Sexy baking spices complement understated redcurrant and strawberry on the nose. Brisk but filled in, with suave red fruit preserve flavors and racy cinnamon and clove qualities. Picks up a smoky quality on the long, spicy finish. This saw no new oak and half of the grapes were whole cluster-fermented, according to Brewer. Very attractive for its restraint and finesse...91" IWC 11/07