Melville : Pinot Noir Estate Sta. Rita Hills 2015

A Californian Pinot Noir with Velvety Smooth Tannins

Founded in 1989, Melville is a family-owned winery, specializing in the production of exceptional cold-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah wines with fruit grown in their estate vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County of California. The winery is today run by founder Ron Melville and his son Chad, who together manage 120 acres under vine. The vines grow in soils composed of predominantly Lompoc dune sand, with some clay loam and Monterey shale. An aggressive canopy management ensures optimal ripening in time for the harvest. Melville is currently home to 16 different clones of Pinot Noir vines, each of which contibutes unique characteristics to the final blend. The Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2015 from Melville is produced from Pinot Noir grapes grown 100% on the estate's own Sta. Rita Hills vineyards. 40% of the fruit is vinified in whole clusters and 60% gently destemmed in small open-top fermenters. The average length of skin contact was 30 days, including 7 days of cold soaking, 2+ weeks of fermentation and 1+ week of extended maceration. The wine was then transferred into neutral French oak barrels (ten years old or over), where it stayed on lees without sulfur added until June. The wines were then racked and prepared for bottling in August.

The Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2015 from Melville displays a light garnet color in the glass. This California Pinot Noir exudes a bouquet of vivid aromas, including fresh rhubarb, tangerine zest, cranberry and juniper, complemented by eucalyptus and green tea nuances. On the palate, the wine is focused and very precise, framed by velvety, smooth tannins. The finish is very persistent, long and cohesive.