2007 Melville Pinot Noir Estate
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Tasting notes
The 2007 Pinot Noir Estate Sta. Rita Hills is another smoking value from this estate. Ripe Bing cherry, leafy herbs, violets and toasted spice notes flow to a rich, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured Pinot Noir that's drinking at point today. This base cuvée saw one-third whole clusters and aging in just 16% new French oak, with the balance in neutral oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Deep red. Darker and muskier than the Verna's, showing cherry and dark berry qualities and note of mocha ("more bass notes," said Brewer). Rich and velvety in texture, with weighty bitter cherry and blackcurrant notes that pick up a spicy character with air. Very persistent on the finish, which leaves a sappy dark berry quality behind.
Even better is the explosive 2007 Pinot Noir Estate, which possesses abundant amounts of boysenberry, black raspberry, forest floor, roasted herb, and subtle smoke characteristics. Rich, textured, pure, and profound, this deep Pinot has the acidity and tannin necessary to age easily for 5-8 years. Melville’s six Pinot Noir cuvees are all noteworthy. With the exception of the Verna’s Vineyard wines, which come from Los Alamos, the other five are all made from different parcels of the same vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, with various density of plantings as well as clonal choices. Tel. (805) 235-7030