Melville Winery - Small Lot Collection Pinot Noir Estate Block M Sta. Rita Hills 2022 (13.0% abv)
we got one 6 pack
Sitting above the Terraces on the top of the westside hill lies Block M, exposed directly to cold Pacific wind
and intense sun. The soil is a compact Botella clay with a hardpan dropping 18 inches underneath the
topsoil, providing a dense and challenging layer for the roots to penetrate. Planted north to south of two
Dijon clones (114 and 115), our farming focus is to provide balance to this highly stressful area. Block M
responds remarkably with smaller berries and clusters, producing a rich and full-bodied wine. Clone 114 is
known for its lush and tender texture, while 115 delivers higher-toned fruit components and is more
pronounced structurally. These clones work harmoniously together to create a complete and compelling
bottling – the richest, roundest, and most full-bodied of our Small Lot Collection. 80% whole cluster.
Cases Produced: 547
Soil Type: Botella clay
Vine age: 26 years old
Clones: 114, 115
Fermentation: 80% whole-cluster
Élevage: Aged in neutral barrel (15+ year old
French oak) for 18 months
Bottling date: December 6, 2023
One of the darker, more sultry pinots from our
small-lot collection, Block M is an intriguing wine
with a slightly “unfriendly” attitude (think dark red
fruits, dark soil aromas, nori and soy). Once you
get to know it, however, the experience becomes
highly rewarding. The magic is found in the
density of fruit concentration…Block M’s tiny
berries have thicker skins with more grip, tannins,
and phenolics than any other pinot in our
repertoire. This wine is best paired with a grilled
prime rib eye, freshly-cracked white pepper, a
drizzle of the best extra virgin olive oil, and some
fleur de sel finishing salt
2022: 96 points, Jeb Dunnuck
Fermented with lots of stems (80%) and raised all in neutral barrels, the 2022 Pinot Noir Block M is another more red-fruited effort that has savory strawberry and redcurrant-like aromatics as well as some leafy herbs, peppery stems, and chalky mineral-like aromas and flavors. It has riveting focus and purity, medium body, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. You could safely put this up with the top Pinot Noirs and red Burgundies out there. I like it today, yet it should evolve for at least a decade.
96 j Suckling - very firm, exceptional wine made from vines growing at the highest part of Chad Melville's estate vineyard. Dark cherries, dried cranberries, star anise and plums are wrapped in taut tannins on a medium body.
95 Decanter
Medium ruby colour with garnet hues. Super fragrant at the pull of the cork, like a warm berry compote or strawberry rhubarb pie with classic candied red cherry notes that are so distinct to Sta. Rita Hills AVA. With some air comes saddle, leather, sandalwood clove, and a hint of coriander cream. For all its aromatic complexity, the wine is a lot more compact and restrained on the palate. Tart cranberry fruit reigns supreme, along with grapefruit zest and grippy apple skin tannins, leading to a long, smoky clove finish. It’s such a textural wine you want to keep going back for more just out of intrigue. Melville is dedicated to producing cool-climate Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay grown exclusively in its estate vineyards throughout the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, with vines planted mostly on Lompoc dune sand, interspersed with clay loam and shallow hard pans of Monterey shale.