Andy Frieden, JJ Buckley, November 2010

A definitive purple core shows good extraction. Aromas of cherry blossom and fresh red raspberry are accompanied by loamy soil. Tempered by excellent acidity, the palate displays ripe cherry and black raspberry on this medium bodied and exquisitely balanced wine. The wine's elegance is driven by precise tannins which carry the fruit smoothly into a long, delightful finish. This delicious cool-climate wine should show well for at least a decade!

92 points,

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, December 2011

Decadent and spice with hints of meat and berries. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and ripe fruit. Savoy and beautiful. Pretty austerity. Best in 2013.

91 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, August 2011

The 2009 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills makes for an excellent introduction to the wines of this appellation. It is a wonderfully fresh, vibrant wine graced with exquisite finesse and class. Sweet, floral notes reappear on the finish, adding lift and subtlety. This is classy juice. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.

Melville is one of the better known properties in Santa Barbara. The estate makes a wide range of wines under the direction of oenologist Greg Brewer, and also sells fruit to a number of other producers. The 2009 Pinot Noirs in particular are standouts. Brewer vinified the Pinots with one-third whole clusters. The 2010 Chardonnays had only recently been bottled and needed quite a bit of air to blow off some of their reductive qualities.-AG

92 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, December 2011

Deep, bright red. Sexy, open-knit raspberry and floral scents, complicated by subtle anise and allspice nuances. Suave, silky and bright, with energetic raspberry and cherry flavors lifted by tangy acidity. Very suave pinot with no rough edges. Fills out with air and shows excellent clarity on the long, intensely perfumed finish.

92 points,

Wine Enthusiast, February 2011

Just sings in the glass. So clean, crisp, elegant, the real deal. Cool-climate Pinot at it most succulent. Brims with raspberry, cherry and tart cranberry fruit, with notes of sweet sandalwood, white pepper and dusty pie spices, like cinnamon and clove. Wonderful now and for the next few years. - S.H.

About Winery

In 1989, Melville Vineyards, a family owned and operated enterprise was founded in Sonoma County's Knights Valley, where Ron Melville grew high quality, much sought after Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1996, Ron's desire to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay brought Melville Vineyards to Lompoc's Sta. Rita Hills, located in the western Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, California.

The Sta. Rita Hills appellation is where Ron Melville and his sons Brent and Chad Melville decided to develop their estate  vineyards and winery. All fruit for wine production is not only exclusively farmed and sourced from Melville Vineyards, but is also produced by Melville Winery. Since then, they have also developed an interest in Rhone varietals, particularly Northern Rhone Syrah and Viognier. The Melville estate achieves quality through the integrity of its farming practice and its respect to the microclimate.

The Melvilles believe that a fine wine begins in the terroir or microclimate of a vineyard.