2016 Melville "Estate" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

"I'm the most proud of this wine," Chad Melville says. "This includes all 16 clones, around 130 different lots. It's like an orchestra, using what's left from the single-vineyard blends. To be able to pull aside those other sweet vineyard spots to bottle separately and still have this wine keep kicking ass - I'm becoming a better farmer and learning the land." Medium ruby in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Estate has a very bright, sunny nose of tangerine peel, ripe red cherries, spiced cranberries and rhubarb with hints of tree bark, dried earth, oolong tea and crushed strawberries plus a white pepper hint. It's light to medium-bodied with a silky texture, intense, juicy earth-accented red fruits, softly grainy tannins and a long finish. 4,877 cases were produced and at this price point, this makes a good value-for-money casual bottle. (EB)

Melville is a perennial staff favorite here at K&L; wines our staff drink. So we were stoked when the new 2016 Estate Pinot garnered 95 points from Vinous! 2016 was the first vintage Chad Melville had turned over his Samsara wines to new owners and focused entirely on his eponymous brand with his father, Ron. Chad's love for whole cluster inclusion is perfectly executed in this wine giving beautiful texture and shape on the palate and adding spicy complexity and lift to the flavor profile. The wine is stunningly aromatic and expressive in a way only Pinot Noir can be. Crushed flowers, Asian spices, sandalwood, bright berry fruits and lick of exotic oak. Very vibrant and pure. Great length and poise on the palate, everything perfectly in place. This wine just delivers again and again. It drinks well beyond it's modest price point; I think this can hold up to most challengers from the region at any price point. With all the attention around the 95 point score this will go fast.