
The 2020 Melville Pinot Noir Anna's Block is a notable offering from the Santa Rita Hills sub-appellation in Santa Barbara, California. Produced by Melville, this red wine is crafted from the Pinot Noir varietal and is sealed with a cork closure. It carries an alcohol content of 14.1%.
This vintage has received high praise from several respected wine reviewers. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it an impressive 95+ points, describing it as "brilliant, with crunchy black cherry and mulberry fruit as well as notes of iron, loamy earth, and darker herbs." Dunnuck highlights its "broader, more powerful, medium-bodied" profile and mentions that it was fermented with 67% whole clusters and aged in used barrels. He suggests that it has "tons of potential" and recommends giving it a few years to fully develop (jebdunnuck.com, 8/29/2022).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave the wine a strong review, scoring it 94 points. The review notes the wine's "layered fruit and earth aromas" and describes it as "medium ruby" in color. The palate is "medium-bodied and light on its feet with bright acidity and a gently chalky frame." The review concludes by calling it a "bright, elegant Pinot" that is "ideal for the table," with only 845 cases produced (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 12/9/2022).
Vinous, through reviewer Antonio Galloni, awarded the wine 93 points. Galloni describes it as "perfumed, deep, and super-expressive," with a blend of 667 and 114 clones. He notes the presence of "dried herbs, tobacco, cedar, mint, and dried leaves" and appreciates the "floral and savory top notes from the 60% whole clusters" that lend nuance throughout (Vinous, 8/1/2022).
Wine Enthusiast also rated the wine at 93 points, with Matt Kettmann noting "bold aromas of black cherry, dark plum, and woody herb." He highlights the "acidic energy that bisects the dark fruit and rich woodspice flavors" on the palate (Wine Enthusiast, 3/1/2023).
Overall, the 2020 Melville Pinot Noir Anna's Block is highly regarded for its complex flavor profile and excellent balance. It is a wine with significant aging potential, making it a worthy addition to any collection.