Melville Winery
As you drive down the massive driveway leading to the winery we noticed that nobody else was there to try these critically acclaimed Pinots. That’s tasting wine in Lompoc, California, on a Monday -- a perfectly timed visit to Melville. Over the years Melville has received considerable attention for their fruity but balanced Pinots. The tasting at Melville was an impressive display of winemaking. Winemaker, Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton pedigree, is an expert in crafting Pinot and Chard. His new releases impressed in the excellent conditions 2013. In 1996, Ron Melville and his sons planted 82 acres of vineyards in Lompoc where he heavily planted 14 different clones of Pinot Noir and 4 different clones of Chardonnay, as well as Syrah and Viognier. The Melville Vineyard has reached such acclaim that nearby superstar winery, Foxen, utilizes Melville Vineyard fruit in their excellent single vineyard bottling of Pinot Noir (my highest rated wine from my visit to Santa Barbara wine country). Look for Melville wines at great Northwest wine shops like Met Market, Pete’s Wine Shop, as well as online at melvillevineyards.com. Here are the great new releases from Melville.
2013 Melville Chardonnay- Nose has buttered toast and pear with starfruit.Palate has starfruit, red delicious and brioche. Lithe and delicious. Drink now. -90 (June 2015)
2014 Melville Pinot Noir Rose- Perfumed nose of mushroom and strawberry. Palate has cantalope, grapefruit and watermelon. Simplistic but tasty. Drink now. -89 (June 2015)
2013 Melville Pinot Noir- Herbaceous nose with dill, red cherry and cherry cola. Nose has ripe raspberry and red cherry flavors with nice mouthfeel and a prominent minerality. Drink 2015 on. -92 (June 2015)
2013 Melville Pinot Noir ‘Block M’- Classic nose that is more on the earthy side with has cranberry, mushroom, and red cherry. Flavors of raspberry, cherry cola and minerals with mushroom. Rich and layered wine that will have a long life but is hard not to drink now. Drink 2015 on. -93 (June 2015)
2013 Melville ‘Sandys’ Pinot Noir- The nose has red cherry, mushroom, raspberry and lavender. Flavors of red cherry, cherry tomato, vanilla and mushroom. Rich and viscous, like the Block M as this is done in an opulent style. Drink 2015 on. -93 (June 2015)
2013 Melville ‘Vernas’ Syrah- Smoked meats, red cherry and tobacco on the nose. Palate has red cherry, lavender, smoked meats and green olive. Very polished and ready to drink now Drink 2015 on. -92 (June 2015)
2013 Melville Estate Syrah- Nose has smoked meats and red cherry. Palate has raspberry, red cherry and Christmas spice. Open and delicious, this would pair nicely with lamb. Drink 2015 on. -90 (June 2015)