In 1996, founder Ron Melville's desire to grow cold-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah brought him to the Sta. Rita Hills where he established his winery, situated amongst the beautiful rolling hills where the grapes are grown exclusively in their three estate vineyards.

Melville currently has 120 acres under vine. The soil is mostly Lompoc dune sand, interspersed with clay loam and shallow hard pans of Monterey shale. The estate currently has 16 clones of Pinot Noir, 9 clones of Syrah, and 6 clones of Chardonnay - all on a variety of low-vigor rootstocks. All blocks are fermented in small lots and isolated through their entire period of elevage, which provides Melville’s team with an ongoing exhibition of how they can fine tune vineyard practices in order to achieve the most unmanipulated and site-specific wines possible.

Melville “grows their flavors,” using no new oak and adding only yeast.

The 2020 Melville Pinot Noir Anna's Block is a remarkable red wine that showcases the elegance and depth of California's Central Coast. With a beautiful ruby color that shimmers in the glass, this Pinot Noir is visually captivating.

On the nose, the wine reveals a medley of enticing aromas. The scent of crunchy black cherry and mulberry fruit immediately grabs your attention, while notes of iron, loamy earth, and darker herbs add complexity and intrigue. There is a sense of depth and richness to the aromatics, promising a truly memorable tasting experience.

As you take your first sip, the medium-bodied nature of this Pinot Noir becomes apparent. The wine offers a perfect balance of fruit and structure, with beautiful tannins that add a silky texture to the palate. The flavors on the palate mirror the aromas, with luscious cranberry sauce and blackberry preserves taking center stage. But it doesn't stop there – accents of aniseed, mossy bark, forest floor, and mushrooms add layers of complexity and sophistication.

The 2020 Pinot Noir Anna's Block is a true expression of the Santa Rita Hills appellation within Santa Barbara. It was fermented with 67% whole clusters and aged in used barrels, which has contributed to its outstanding potential for aging. While it is already showing beautifully now, it will undoubtedly evolve and develop even more complexity with a few years of cellaring.

Renowned wine critics have also recognized the excellence of this wine. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it an impressive 95+ points, praising its beautiful tannins and outstanding balance. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it a score of 94, highlighting its concentrated flavors and loads of spicy accents. Vinous awarded it 93 points, noting its perfumed and super-expressive character. Lastly, Wine Enthusiast also gave it 93 points, commending its bold aromas of black cherry, dark plum, and woody herb.

The 2020 Melville Pinot Noir Anna's Block is a wine that truly deserves a place in any wine enthusiast's collection. Its depth, complexity, and potential for aging make it a standout choice that will continue to impress for years to come.