Fall 2024 Club Collection
2022 Estate Pinot Noir – Anna’s Block
Gentle slope with even ripening – leads to a perfumed and inviting palate.
Over on the west side lies Anna’s Block, planted in 2001 on a gentle southern slope in the northwest portion of the vineyard. This area is one of our most even-ripening blocks as the rows are planted in a north-south orientation, receiving a consistent exposure to the cold-climate sun. The soil is a well-drained and low nutrient sandy loam, causing the vines to work incredibly hard to survive. This stress, combined with our targeted care and attention, leads Anna’s to produce small clusters and small berries, which equate to concentrated fruit that is exquisitely perfumed and inviting. Planted to two Dijon clones working well in tandem, Clone 667 is known for producing high-quality wines in Burgundy and brings intense color, structure, depth and ageability, while the earlier ripening Clone 114 offers richness and stuffing. 67% whole cluster.
Tasting Notes: The selection of clones 114 and 667 (planted north to south) in tandem with the deep loam soil all combine to create small berries and ripe stems, ideal for creating a sophisticated balance we love. Cranberry, ripe pomegranate, and ripe red fruits along with some savory iron, green peppercorn, rosemary and dried orange peel give way to the assertive yet elegant texture. Great pinots make you stop and think; take a moment with this one.
2023 Estate Pinot Noir – Rancho Nuevo
This “new ranch” has been delivering intense flavors and high acidity for over 17 years.
Rancho Nuevo might literally translate to “new ranch,” but it’s been a part of our vineyard profile for over 17 years now. Sitting southwest across Highway 246, these Rancho vines are planted on a gradual slope, atop sandy loam soil. Though the soil was quite sterile when first planted, it has improved greatly over time through extensive cover cropping and the resultant build-up of organic matter. Rancho Nuevo lies at a lower elevation to the south of the winery, and closer to the Pacific Ocean, making it a significantly cooler environment to our already cold-climate designation. This translates to later bud-break and ripening each year, allowing for gorgeous flavor development and acidity ripeness. This site is home to pinot noir clones 943, 459, 828, Mt. Eden, Pommard, and Calera. 40% whole cluster.
Tasting Notes: The Rancho Nuevo bottling is always driven by fresh red and blue fruits, supported by slight savory dried Sichuan peppercorn, ground cinnamon and nutmeg. The fleshy fruit also engages the palate, then tightens up with ripe tannin and bright acid. This wine seems young in so many ways, yet has a level of sophistication that reminds you it’s not just about the fruit…
2022 Estate Syrah – Donna’s Block
Sandy soil, cold wind and sun = concentrated high-toned aromatics.
Donna’s Block sits on a small 3.6-acre section located in the northeast portion of our vineyard composed of sandy soil – think beach sand minus the umbrella. This block endures an incredibly long and exposed growing season within the Sta. Rita Hills cold-climate wind and sun. Grown in this inhospitable climate, it can be challenging to get syrah to fully ripen, but with our supportive organic farming methods, we are able to nurture this delicate block and find it produces a syrah that is stylistically elegant and intriguing. Planted to equal parts Clone 1 and Estrella selection in twenty feet of well-drained and nutrient deficient sandy soil, this block results in a wine of great depth and concentration, along with high-toned and hypnotic aromatics. 100% whole cluster.
Tasting Notes: This block has always been very distinctly Melville with a cold climate, sandy soil, and a long sunny growing season working together to make syrah magic. A blueberry and boysenberry core is studded with white pepper, olive brine, apricot, dried flowers and crispy bacon with loads of ripe tannin wrapped in a rope of acidity. This finish on this wine lingers for days. Make no mistake, this is Melville syrah.
2017 Estate Syrah – High Density (Monopole Exclusive)
Enjoy the complexity brought by seven years of perfect cellaring.
Located immediately northwest of the tasting room and planted at a tightly spaced density of 4’ x 3’, the vines in the high density syrah block endure naturally stressed conditions where the competition for nutrients, water and sun are intensified. This one-third acre section is a collection of eight syrah clones and is the only syrah bottling where all clonal material is entirely co-fermented. 100% of the clusters were de-stemmed with total skin contact averaging 30 days (7 day cold soak, 2+ week fermentation and 1+ week extended maceration). From the press the juice was transferred directly into neutral barrel where it remained sur lie without sulfur until May, when it was gently pressure racked for the first time and then prepared for bottling.
Tasting Notes: The beauty of this wine is that we get to enjoy the complexity of what seven years of perfect cellaring can do. The typical blue fruits that we expect from this block have now dried slightly, bringing less juicy fruit and more mature savory qualities like soft tones of mushrooms, crushed white pepper, lifted dried sage, thyme and lavender. Refined and pretty elegance is what this wine is all about. Absolutely amazing served alongside your favorite roasted fall dishes, this vintage is hitting on all cylinders and perfect to share with friends (or not.)
