2006 Melville Pinot Noir Estate
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Tasting notes
Tart sweet and sour cherries, hints of strawberry jam, and lively acids characterize the 2006 Pinot Noir Estate. This wine is medium-bodied, fresh, lively, and very Cote du Beaune-like. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. The Melville family has one of the top vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, and the wines are made under the supervision of Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton. It is interesting that I found the Melville Pinot Noirs far less spice-dominated, with more blue and black fruits, than those of Brewer-Clifton. That struck me as unusual because the vineyards are often close to each other geographically, and of course, the winemaking philosophy is generally the same. Tel. (805) 235-7030; Fax (805) 235-5310
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Deep red. Exotically perfumed nose combines strawberry, raspberry, blood orange and Christmas spices. Sexy stuff, offering sweet red berry flavors, velvety texture and a suave array of Asian spices. The spiciness builds on the brisk, clinging finish. This was reportedly made with 50% whole clusters.
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.