Block M is a windswept mesa on the west side of Melville estate, lying adjacent to their Terraces block. Sitting atop a sun exposed mesa with several feet of botella clay soil, the extremity of Block M is enhanced by the gravitational pull of three exposed sides, forcing the roots to search deeper for sustenance.

Block M is made up of equal amounts of clones 114 and 115. The lesser known 114 is lush, velvety and textural with an elegantly pliant internal core, while clone 115 delivers fruit at a higher pitch and a more structurally pronounced personality. The marriage of these complementary components is what renders Melville’s Block M bottling so complete. 30% of the fruit is gently de-stemmed with 70% remaining as whole clusters.

The 2021 Melville Pinot Noir Block M is a notable red wine from the Santa Rita Hills appellation in California's Central Coast. This Pinot Noir, produced by Melville, boasts an alcohol content of 13.9% and is sealed with a traditional cork closure.

James Suckling, a respected wine critic, awarded the 2021 Melville Pinot Noir Block M a score of 95. He described the wine as having "very clear aromas of terra-cotta and strawberries," complemented by hints of hibiscus and spices like white pepper. Suckling highlighted the wine's structure and intensity, noting that it is "medium- to full-bodied" with a "chewy yet agile" texture, making it suitable for both immediate consumption and aging.

Wine & Spirits also gave this wine high marks, scoring it 94. The publication praised Chad Melville’s craftsmanship, emphasizing the wine's "smoky, black-fruited, chiseled quality" and its complex aromatic profile of clove, cardamom, lavender, and black tea. The review noted the wine's "meatiness" and "linear textural thrust," suggesting strong cellaring potential.

Jeb Dunnuck was particularly impressed, awarding the wine a score of 96. He described the 2021 Pinot Noir Block M as having a "gorgeous perfume of ripe red fruits, flowery incense, perfume, rose hips, and orange blossom." Dunnuck found the wine to be "complex, medium-bodied, and seamless" with "fine-grained tannins, wonderful purity, and a great finish." He recommended giving the wine a few years to develop further and suggested it could be enjoyed over the next decade or more.

Vinous, represented by Antonio Galloni, also rated the wine highly with a score of 95. Galloni noted that the wine is "the most potent of the Melville Pinots," with a rich palate of dark fruit, incense, lavender, rose petal, menthol, and licorice. He recommended allowing the wine a few years to settle.

Wine Enthusiast's Matt Kettmann awarded the wine another high score of 96. He described the wine as "brooding" with dark cherry and juicy strawberry aromas, balanced by "dark bay leaf and peppercorn depth." Kettmann highlighted the wine's "zippy acidity" and "sappy tannins," suggesting it could be enjoyed now through 2041.

Finally, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through reviewer Erin Brooks, gave the wine a score of 94. Brooks described the wine as having a "concentrated core of fragrant fruit framed by dusty tannins and vibrant acidity," with a long, spicy finish.

In summary, the 2021 Melville Pinot Noir Block M is a highly acclaimed wine with complex flavors and strong aging potential, making it a standout choice for Pinot Noir enthusiasts.