2012 Melville Pinot Noir Estate
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Pinot Noir Estate Sta. Rita Hills is a smoking value. Seeing 40% whole cluster and 11 months in neutral oak, it offers beautiful cherry blossom, pepper, white flowers and hints of underbrush to go with a rich, layered and impressively textured feel on the palate. You don’t see this quality at this price very often (for Pinot anyway) and readers need to get a hold of a few of these. Hold onto your hats, as these latest releases from Chad Melville and winemaker Greg Brewer are off-the-charts good! While both of the Chardonnays are beautiful, and play in the clean, crisp and medium-bodied spectrum, it’s the 2012 Pinot Noirs and Syrahs that are incredible across the board. The Pinot Noirs all see varying degrees of whole cluster and are aged completely in neutral French oak barrels. The Syrahs see slightly less whole cluster inclusion, but are also aged all in neutral French oak. In case you missed the prices/scores listed above, these are some of the greatest values in the world of wine today! Tel. (805) 735-7030; www.melvillewinery.com
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Crushed red berries, mint, flowers and cinnamon lift from the glass in the 2012 Pinot Noir Estate Sta. Rita Hills. This is one of the most polished, refined and aromatically expressive wines I have tasted from Melville. What a gorgeous, radiant and totally sexy wine this is.
Deep, vivid red. Sexy raspberry preserve and blood orange aromas are complemented by white flowers and Asian spices. Silky and round on the palate, with tangy minerality lifting pliant red fruit preserve flavors. Balances opulence and vivacity and finishes sappy, focused and very long, with a suave floral nuance.
The 2012 Pinot Noir Estate Sta. Rita Hills is a smoking value. Seeing 40% whole cluster and 11 months in neutral oak, it offers beautiful cherry blossom, pepper, white flowers and hints of underbrush to go with a rich, layered and impressively textured feel on the palate. You don’t see this quality at this price very often (for Pinot anyway) and readers need to get a hold of a few of these. Aug 2014, www.robertparker.com