A super cool climate Syrah.
100% from the estate. A combination of five different Syrah clones (Estrella, Beaucastel 99, 1, 383, 470). Estrella, 383, and 470 are planted in nutrient-poor, well-drained sandy soil, and always exude floral, spicy, and uplifting aromas of white pepper.
Meanwhile, Clone 99 in Block I is planted in denser sandy loam soil, providing depth and richness.
Harvested in mid to late November, 60% of the fruit was carefully destemmed, 40% was left as whole clusters, and fermented in small 1.5 ton open tanks. Skin and stem contact lasts an average of 35 days (7 days of cold soaking, 2+ weeks of fermentation, 2+ weeks of extended maceration). After pressing, the wine is transferred directly to neutral barrels (15+ years old French oak) and aged sur lies without additives until June. Yield is 2.75 pounds per plant (2.5 tons per acre).
An electrifying deep purple color. Fresh herbs and lavender, grilled meat and freshly ground pepper come to life. Ripe blackberry, black plum and cherry flavors. Silky tannins, juiciness and a velvety texture combine to create a perfectly balanced wine.
Melville's founder, Ron Melville, was influenced by his father and had been familiar with the soil since he was a child. He started a vineyard in Sonoma's Knights Valley in 1987. He cultivated Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other grapes, and the high quality of the grapes led to many famous wineries in the area to purchase them. In 1997, the Melville family decided to move from Sonoma to Santa Barbara. They had long envisioned making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a cool climate in the Santa Rita Hills. This area is only 10 miles (16 km) from the sea, and fog rolls in in the mornings and evenings, with cool winds from the sea blowing in in the afternoons. This cool climate is not only ideal for cultivating Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, but also has a long growing season and produces concentrated flavors. The soil is sandy with limestone rocks, which produces fruits with firm acidity. Convinced of the greatness of this land, Ron also contributed greatly to the AVA certification of Santa Rita Hills (2001). Currently, Melville grows 16 clones of Pinot Noir, 9 varieties of Syrah, and 6 varieties of Chardonnay in its 120 acres of vineyards. At Melville, the characteristics and qualities of each clone are important, and they are grown in separate areas of the vineyard. In addition, during winemaking, each clone is fermented in a separate barrel, and every effort is made to bring out its individuality to the fullest. Ron's son, Chad, has been involved in grape growing with his father and brothers since 1997. He is very proud of the fact that he and his family grow grapes with their own hands on their own land and make wine, doing all of this process in-house. In 2015, he took on the position of winemaker, and is pouring his passion for grape growing and winemaking into wine.
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