2015 Estate Pinot Noir
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
A mix of 16 Pinot Noir clones. 40% of the fruit was fermented as whole-clusters with 60% gently destemmed in small (1.5-ton) open-top fermenters. Total skin and stem 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 neutral barrels (10- to 20-year-old French oak), where it remained sur lie without sulphite additions until June, when it was gently racked for the first time and prepared for bottling in August. Yields were 2.4 lbs/vine (2.2 tons/acre). Light to mid bricky red. Tangy red-fruits aroma – but more cranberry than strawberry – with an element of sweetly earthy spice and a light stemmy/herbal whole-bunch note to balance the initial sweetness, which was the tell-tale signature (for me) of California Pinot. Only just beginning to move away from primary fruit to the start of more complex bottle-aged aromas. Excellent balance. There’s no rush to drink this but it’s delicious right now. It has the finest of tannins, smooth-grained rather than silky, and freshness lifts the fruit. Scented as it opens, and then more savoury on the palate than I expected. Lingers on the finish. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Pinot Noir Estate Sta. Rita Hills is the largest production cuvée of the estate and it's a year in, year out value. The 2015 (this was also reviewed last year) is a spice-filled, cherry, and forest floor-scented effort that has medium-bodied depth and richness, the focused style of the vintage, and a good finish. It's showing slightly better than this time last year and should age gracefully going forward.
The 2015 Pinot Noir Estate reveals aromas of red cherry, fresh herbs and strawberry preserve, followed by a supple, medium-bodied, succulent palate with a saline, savory finish. Fermented with some whole bunches and matured in neutral barrels, this is very much in the Melville style to which readers will have become accustomed.
The 2015 Pinot Noir Estate (Sta. Rita Hills) is laced with sweet floral notes and bright, red-toned fruit. Delicate and medium in body, and made in a decidedly gracious, open-knit style, it is a good choice for drinking now and over the next few years.