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Melville 2011 Estate Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills
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Item Number: 6678

UPC: None

Country: USA
Region: California Sub Region: Santa Barbara
Appellation/AVA: Sta. Rita Hills
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vintage: 2011
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 14.2
Case Production: 4,602


Vintage Notes: Because of a spring frost, Pinot Noir yields from Melville's Sta. Rita Hills estate were 40% lower compared with 2010 averaging 1.6lbs/vine.

Winemaking Notes: This Pinot Noir is a collection of 16 Pinot clones (667, 777, 828, 113, 114, 115, 459, 943, 2A, 9, 16, Pommard, Calera, Mount Eden, Swan and Merry Edwards). 40% of the fruit was fermented as whole clusters with 60% gently destemmed in small (1.5 ton) open-top fermenters. Total skin and stem contact averaged 30 days (7 day cold soak, 2+ weeks of fermentation and 1+ week extended maceration). From the press, the wine was transferred directly into neutral French oak barrels where it remained sur lie without sulfur until May. It was gently racked in May and bottled in August. 

Tasting Notes: Soft garnet in color, delicate aromatics of oolong tea, mandarin orange, gardenia and sandalwood spring from the glass. Fruit components of pomegranate reduction, currants and guava weave along the palate with spice and herbal notes of pink peppercorn, thyme, clove and fennel seed. The mouthfeel is plush and velvety yet finishes with elegance and drive.
Reviews
Melville 2011 Estate Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills
Rating: 92

Bright red. Assertive aromas of raspberry, cherry and candied rose, with suave Asian spice and mineral accents building with air. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sappy red fruit preserve flavors and a hint of star anise. Shows impressive energy and clarity on the long finish, featuring a zesty blood orange nuance.

- International Wine Cellar (12/1/2013)

Melville 2011 Estate Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills
Rating: 91

Looking at the reds, the 2011 Pinot Noir Estate, which saw 40% whole clusters in fermentation, offers up a translucent ruby color as well as a complex, savory bouquet of currants, black cherries, stem, pepper, smoke and a gun flint-like minerality. Aged all in neutral barrels, this medium-bodied, supple 2011 has good ripeness, a light, clean texture and solid length on the finish. While there’s not a huge amount of depth here, I love the overall balance and it is downright fun to drink. Enjoy it over the coming 3-4 years. Drink now-2017.

- The Wine Advocate (8/29/2013)