2014 Syrah - Melville Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
94 points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
Violets, smoked meats, olives, herb de Provence, black berries and dark fruit, cassis, bacon, with sandy tannins, and a rich layered mouthfeel. Impressively complex and built to last. -Matt Brady, Winemaker
Varietal | 100% Syrah |
Varietal Composition | Clone Estrella |
Appellation | Sta. Rita Hills |
Vineyard | Melville Vineyard |
Acid | 0.66 |
PH | 3.63 |
Aging | 34 months in 100% neutral French oak |
Fermentation | Native Yeast |
Alcohol | 14.50% |
Wine Style | 100% Whole Cluster |
Volume | 750 ml |
Cases Produced | 132 |
94 points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
"Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2014 Syrah Melville Vineyard revels some apparent stem inclusion at this youthful stage, giving way to a very pretty perfume of spice box and violets over a core of warm blackberries, black cherries and plums, plus pepper and licorice wafts. Medium-bodied with a beautifully fine-crafted elegant palate, it has intense black fruit spice and licorice layers and a firm frame, finishing with lingering pepper and earth suggestions. Leave it a year for the stems to marry-in and drink it over the next 10-12+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030" -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
93 points - Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
"This bottling from the winery's previous owner Chad Melville's family vineyard is strikingly cool climate in expression, starting with loads of rosemary, wild thyme, white pepper, game, charcoal and asphalt—its fruit pushed far to the background. Cracked black pepper and stemmy flavors of green sage and tapenade dominate the palate." -Matt Kettmann
92 points - Jeb Dunnuck
"A downright gamey, exotic and singular Syrah. It has plenty of fruit and texture as well a good mid-palate weight, so will evolve nicely, enjoy through 2026." -Jeb Dunnuck
91 points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous