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2012 Melville "Terraces" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

2012 Melville "Terraces" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

95RP
93VN
$54.99

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95

Wine Advocate

Reviewed August 2014
Even better, the 2012 Pinot Noir Terraces comes from the top portion of the vineyard, saw 80% whole clusters and 18 months in neutral oak prior to bottling. Rose petal, cherry blossom, licorice, steak tartare and hints of earth all soar from the glass, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, fabulous texture and sweet tannin. (JD)

Professional Reviews

93

Vinous

Review Date: 12/2014
(made with 75% whole clusters): Bright red. High-pitched aromas of raspberry, cherry and fresh rose, with Asian spice and mineral accents building with air. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering appealingly sweet red fruit flavors and a hint of candied flowers. Shows impressive energy, depth and clarity on the incisive, strikingly long finish, which features a zesty blood orange nuance. (JR)

Notes

This is one of Melville's small lot offering from their 4.9-acre "Terraces" estate vineyard. Planted on loamy clay with calcareous shale soils, this vineyard is high-draining and exposed, yielding fruit with lots of character. Adding to its uniqueness this vineyard is planted to a combination of old California field selection clonal plantings and newer Dijon clones, for an intriguing mix of spicy aromatics and darker structural elements in the finished wine, which was aged in neutral French oak. Black cherry, anise, lavender, and earthy minerals lead in the nose, which are followed by darker fruit and mushroomy "sous bois" flavors on the palate. It fills the mouth with fruit, given definition by acidity, fine tannins, and current of minerals. Exotic spices accent the finish, which lingers in persistence.

Details

TypeRed Wine
VarietalPinot Noir
OriginSanta Maria/Santa Barbara, California, United States
Bottle Size750 mL
SKU1152005