Melville Vineyards & Winery - Current Wines, Memberships and Events

2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Clone 115 Indigène

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:56:00 GMT

2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Clone 115 Indigène
Buy Now: $50.00

Small Lot Collection

Indigène receives its name from the indigenous or wild yeastwith which it is fermented. It is 100% dijonnaise clone 115 fromBlock B2 on the eastern edge of the vineyard and is the only wineproduced at Melville where wild yeast is allowed to carry out thefermentation. The Indigène bottling is somewhat controversialwithin Melville because one group argues that native yeasts reducethe purity of pinot noir while the other side believes it enhancesthe diversity. With no opinion being incorrect we encourage you toform your own judgments about the merits of wild yeast vs. culturedyeast fermented wines. The fruit was fermented 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 extendedmaceration). From the press, the wine was transferred directly intoneutral French oak barrels where it remained sur lie with no sulfuruntil June, when it was gently racked for the first time andprepared for bottling in December. 0% stem inclusion. Yields were2.2 lbs/vine (2.0 tons/acre).

Tasting Notes: Dark ruby red in color, intense and warmaromatics of candied apple, blackberry pie, maple frosting and redchai tea spring from the glass. In the background, herbal notes ofground sage, bay leaf, and white pepper intermingle with deeperimpressions of freshly cut mushrooms, bacon fat, and brown butter.The mouth feel is round and plush, with soft, persistent tanninsthat bring structure and depth to the wine’s finish.

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3L - 2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Sandy's

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:44:00 GMT

3L - 2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Sandy's
Buy Now: $250.00

Note: Special Shipping Rates Apply.

The Sandy’s block is named in honor of Ron Melville’s sister andwas deliberately planted on the extremely sandy northeast sectionof our vineyards. Nestled deep in the canyon, Sandy’s has performedheroically over the years particularly when considering its extremelocation combined with the poor, well drained soils of thissection. This four acre block is also special because it containsclonal material representative of our new era of plantings andincludes selections from Merry Edwards, Calera (Clone 90), andclones 459 and 114. These four selections, when planted on sand,produce an enticing juxtaposition of wildly intense and prettyaromatics with a very ethereal and harmonic palate impression. Thefruit was fermented in small (1.5 ton) open-top fermenters. Totalskin and stem contact averaged 30 days (7 day cold soak, 2 + weeksof fermentation and 1 + week extended maceration). From the press,the wine was transferred directly into neutral French oak barrelswhere it remained sur lie with no sulfur until June, when it wasgently racked for the first time and prepared for bottling inDecember. 15% stem inclusion. Yields were 2.1 lbs/vine (1.9tons/acre).

Tasting notes: Boasting a deep ruby red hue, a bevy of fruitand floral components immediately emanate from the glass such asguava, rosehips, orange blossom, boysenberry and night bloomingjasmine. Secondary herbal nuances of dried parsley, herbs deprovence and mint are also prolific. Texturally, the wine is crispand fresh on the palate, with a well rounded tannin profile andfinishes with ample weight and length.

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2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Sandy's

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:39:00 GMT

2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Sandy's
Buy Now: $50.00

The Sandy’s block is named in honor of Ron Melville’s sister andwas deliberately planted on the extremely sandy northeast sectionof our vineyards. Nestled deep in the canyon, Sandy’s has performedheroically over the years particularly when considering its extremelocation combined with the poor, well drained soils of thissection. This four acre block is also special because it containsclonal material representative of our new era of plantings andincludes selections from Merry Edwards, Calera (Clone 90), andclones 459 and 114. These four selections, when planted on sand,produce an enticing juxtaposition of wildly intense and prettyaromatics with a very ethereal and harmonic palate impression. Thefruit was fermented in small (1.5 ton) open-top fermenters. Totalskin and stem contact averaged 30 days (7 day cold soak, 2 + weeksof fermentation and 1 + week extended maceration). From the press,the wine was transferred directly into neutral French oak barrelswhere it remained sur lie with no sulfur until June, when it wasgently racked for the first time and prepared for bottling inDecember. 15% stem inclusion. Yields were 2.1 lbs/vine (1.9tons/acre).

Tasting Notes: Tasting notes: Boasting a deep ruby redhue, a bevy of fruit and floral components immediately emanate fromthe glass such as guava, rosehips, orange blossom, boysenberry andnight blooming jasmine. Secondary herbal nuances of dried parsley,herbs de provence and mint are also prolific. Texturally, the wineis crisp and fresh on the palate, with a well rounded tanninprofile and finishes with ample weight and length.

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2012 Estate Pinot Noir Rosé

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:00:00 GMT

2012 Estate Pinot Noir Rosé
Buy Now: $26.00

Released: April 2013

Our pinot noir – Rosé is a very exciting marker of spring hereat the winery. Just as last year, we selected clone 113 pinot noirfrom a block just behind the winery to create this wine. The fruitwas loaded directly into the press which simply tumbled and drainedfor several hours allowing for only “free run” juice to passthrough the drain screen. From that point, the juice fermented inour cold room in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oakwith no lees disturbance and inhibited malo-lactic. The goal ofsuch an approach is a wine of very delicate color with the mostbright yet nuanced characteristics of this high toned aromaticclone of pinot noir.

Tasting notes: With a soft copper hue, our newest rosébottling boasts crisp and fragrant fruit notes of watermelon rind,orange zest, lychee and grilled lime. Delicate in texture, flavorsof salted honeydew melon, apricot pit and green apple candy minglewith floral touches of lavender and rose petal. The wine is tenderand delicate in the mouth, with a clean and satiating finish.

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2012 Estate Viognier - Verna's

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:55:00 GMT

2012 Estate Viognier - Verna's
Buy Now: $26.00

Released: April 2013

Verna’s vineyard in Los Alamos is planted to seven acres ofViognier on sandy and nutrient deficient soils and is a combinationof Alban selection and clone 1. Slightly warmer and windier thenour Sta. Rita Hills property during the growing season, this estatehas proven well-suited for growing this aromatic Rhone varietal.The fruit was gently whole cluster pressed, transferred to neutralbarrels (5-20 year French oak), cold-fermented at 45°F for threemonths and prepared for bottling in late March. Cold fermentation,neutral vessels and the avoidance of malo-lactic fermentation wereemployed to retain the wine’s freshness and exotic expressions.Yields were a tiny 3.4 lbs/vine (3.1 tons/acre). 1,376 casesproduced.

Tasting notes: Golden yellow in color, pure exoticexpressions of kiwi fruit, tangerine zest, green papaya and limeblossom emerge from the glass while notes of bruléed sugar,beeswax, kettle corn and marshmallow cream drift in the background.The mouthfeel is round and polished with bright acidity weavingthrough highlighting a full, yet elegant finish.

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2012 Estate Chardonnay - Clone 76 Inox

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:46:00 GMT

2012 Estate Chardonnay - Clone 76 Inox
Buy Now: $36.00

Small Lot Collection
Released: April 2013

The inspiration for Inox is born out of a pursuit to capture theessence of both the vineyard and varietal in their purest form.This specific wine originates from a 1.8 acre block of clone 76 onthe west side of our vineyards planted on very sandy soils. Over aseveral week period we hand-selected only the most golden andcompletely ripe clusters, emphasizing the grape’s richness andflavor while preserving its verve and minerality. Inox, a Frenchterm for stainless steel, continues to prove a suitable title forthis wine, whose purity and precision dictate such a designation.Upon immediate pressing, the juice is transferred into two smallstainless steel tanks with fermentation lasting three months at anaverage temperature of 45°F. Cold temperatures are employed tocapture and enhance the fruit’s delicate nuances. The subsequentcold storage also prohibited the onset of malolactic fermentation.The wine then remained on its lees without any disturbance for fivemonths before being bottled in late March. Yields were 3.8 lbs pervine (4.0 tons/acre).

Tasting Notes: Intoxicating aromatics of honeydew melon,elderberry liqueur, muddled cucumber and pea tendril come throughinitially. Dominant oceanic components become more evident as thewine opens drifting towards oyster shell, uni, tide pool and saltwater taffy. Floral tones of jasmine, freesia and violet also weavethrough. On the palate the wine is round and fleshy, with amesmerizing and complex core leading to a silky and brightfinish.

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3L - 2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Terraces

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:24:00 GMT

3L - 2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Terraces
Buy Now: $280.00

3L
2 bottle limit

The three undulating slopes of Terraces cascading down from Block Mhave always intrigued us and it has been such a privilege tocollectively bottle them on their own for the past ten years. 4.9acres in total, Terraces is planted on clay - rich loam andcalcareous shale soils. The Terraces sections wrap 120 degreesaround Block M, lying completely exposed to the elements and facingsevere wind pressure, several different sun exposures, andchallenging drainage issues. It is planted to five different clonesof Pinot Noir: Swan, Mount Eden, 115, 667 and 777, making for aunique combination of older California field selections and newerDijonnaise clonal material. 67% of the fruit was gently de-stemmedwith 33% remaining as whole clusters. Yields were a tiny 0.9 poundsper vine (0.8 tons per acre).

Tasting notes: Possessing a reddish-blue hue, Terraces isdistinctly complex and earth driven. Initial aromas of cardamom,wet clay and sage powder emerge while hints of turmeric, roastedmorel mushrooms, green peppercorn and sandalwood lurk in thebackground. Texturally, the wine is focused and sublime with afull, high toned mid-palate and a lively, lengthy finish.

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2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Terraces

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:23:00 GMT

2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Terraces
Buy Now: $56.00

Small Lot Collection
332 cases produced

The three undulating slopes of Terraces cascading down fromBlock M have always intrigued us and it has been such a privilegeto collectively bottle them on their own for the past ten years.4.9 acres in total, Terraces is planted on clay - rich loam andcalcareous shale soils. The Terraces sections wrap 120 degreesaround Block M, lying completely exposed to the elements and facingsevere wind pressure, several different sun exposures, andchallenging drainage issues. It is planted to five different clonesof Pinot Noir: Swan, Mount Eden, 115, 667 and 777, making for aunique combination of older California field selections and newerDijonnaise clonal material. 67% of the fruit was gently de-stemmedwith 33% remaining as whole clusters. Yields were a tiny 0.9 poundsper vine (0.8 tons per acre).

Tasting Notes: Possessing a reddish-blue hue, Terraces isdistinctly complex and earth driven. Initial aromas of cardamom,wet clay and sage powder emerge while hints of turmeric, roastedmorel mushrooms, green peppercorn and sandalwood lurk in thebackground. Texturally, the wine is focused and sublime with afull, high toned mid-palate and a lively, lengthy finish.

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3L - 2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Block M

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:22:00 GMT

3L - 2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Block M
Buy Now: $280.00

3L
2 bottle limit

Formerly known as Carrie’s, Block M is a wind swept mesa on ourwestern parcel adjacent to our Terraces block. Sitting atop a sunexposed mesa with several feet of botella clay soil, the extremityof Block M is enhanced by the gravitational pull on three exposedsides forcing the roots to search deeper for sustenance. Block M ismade up of equal amounts of clones 114 and 115. The lesser known114 is lush, velvety and textural with an elegantly pliant internalcore, while clone 115 delivers fruit at a higher pitch coupled witha more structurally pronounced personality. The marriage of thesecomplementary components is what renders our Carrie's bottling socomplete. 67% of the fruit was gently de-stemmed with 33% remainingas whole clusters. Yields were a tiny 1.5 pounds/vine (1.3tons/acre)

Tasting notes: Bright magenta in color, etherealaromatics of wild rose petal, wet pine, and star lily spring fromthe glass. On the palate, intoxicating notes of mulberry, spicedorange, pie crust and dried rosemary intertwine with rich fruitcomponents of baked red apples, plum skin and cherry compote. Themouthfeel is rich and generous, managing to finish with both powerand finesse

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2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Block M

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:21:00 GMT

2011 Estate Pinot Noir - Block M
Buy Now: $56.00

Small Lot Collection
360 cases produced

Formerly known as Carrie’s, Block M is a wind swept mesa on ourwestern parcel adjacent to our Terraces block. Sitting atop a sunexposed mesa with several feet of botella clay soil, the extremityof Block M is enhanced by the gravitational pull on three exposedsides forcing the roots to search deeper for sustenance. Block M ismade up of equal amounts of clones 114 and 115. The lesser known114 is lush, velvety and textural with an elegantly pliant internalcore, while clone 115 delivers fruit at a higher pitch coupled witha more structurally pronounced personality. The marriage of thesecomplementary components is what renders our Carrie's bottling socomplete. 67% of the fruit was gently de-stemmed with 33% remainingas whole clusters. Yields were a tiny 1.5 pounds/vine (1.3tons/acre)

Tasting Notes: TBright magenta in color, etherealaromatics of wild rose petal, wet pine, and star lily spring fromthe glass. On the palate, intoxicating notes of mulberry, spicedorange, pie crust and dried rosemary intertwine with rich fruitcomponents of baked red apples, plum skin and cherry compote. Themouthfeel is rich and generous, managing to finish with both powerand finesse.

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