2016 Melville Pinot Noir Estate

The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate is a blend of the seventeen clones on the property. Freshly cut flowers, spice, mint, blood orange and dried flowers give the Estate beguiling aromatic complexity and nuance. There is a sense of translucent beauty in the 2016 that is fabulous, while the 40% whole clusters are very nicely integrated. This is such a tremendous wine.

"I'm the most proud of this wine," Chad Melville says. "This includes all 16 clones, around 130 different lots. It's like an orchestra, using what's left from the single-vineyard blends. To be able to pull aside those other sweet vineyard spots to bottle separately and still have this wine keep kicking ass—I'm becoming a better farmer and learning the land." Medium ruby in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Estate has a very bright, sunny nose of tangerine peel, ripe red cherries, spiced cranberries and rhubarb with hints of tree bark, dried earth, oolong tea and crushed strawberries plus a white pepper hint. It's light to medium-bodied with a silky texture, intense, juicy earth-accented red fruits, softly grainy tannins and a long finish. 4,877 cases were produced and at this price point, this makes a good value-for-money casual bottle.

The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate (Sta. Rita Hills) is gorgeous. Fresh, floral and light on its feet, the Estate suggests that 2016 is going to be a very strong vintage at Melville. Silky tannins add to the wine's gracious, refined feel. The 40% whole clusters are beautifully integrated. What comes through most today is the superb purity of the fruit.