This wine is 100% from Melville’s Sta. Rita Hills estate and is a combination of clones 4, 76, and 95, along with Mount Eden, Hanzell, Hudson, Wente and Melville selections. The estate’s chardonnay is planted predominantly on the west side of their estate where they have several different types of sandy soil.

Because the west side receives the brunt of brutal, ocean winds and has only poor soils, Melville feels their chardonnay always captures the vibrancy, minerality, and concentrated flavors that are hallmarks of their appellation. Fruit is harvested by hand then gently whole-cluster pressed, cold settled overnight and transferred by gravity to barrel for fermentation in neutral French oak barrels (10 to 20 years old), with zero malolactic conversion. Sur lie aging takes place without any lees disturbance.

The 2022 Melville Chardonnay Estate Santa Rita Hills is a standout white wine from California's Santa Barbara region, specifically the Santa Rita Hills sub-appellation in the Central Coast. Produced by Melville, this Chardonnay is sealed with a cork and boasts an alcohol content of 13.1%.

This vintage has garnered praise from multiple reviewers, each highlighting different aspects of its profile. Jeb Dunnuck of jebdunnuck.com awarded it a score of 92, commending its "spiced apple, melon, chalky mineral, and hints of leafy herbs." He describes the wine as "medium-bodied, vibrant, beautifully balanced," and notes its "nicely integrated acidity" and "pure, layered mouthfeel." Dunnuck concludes that the 2022 Melville Chardonnay has "outstanding length" and predicts it will evolve well over the next 7-8 years.

Wine Enthusiast's Matt Kettmann gave this Chardonnay a higher score of 94, emphasizing its aromatic complexity and texture. Kettmann notes "lemon balm and pithy aromas" complemented by "a light dairy touch" on the nose. On the palate, he highlights the wine's "extremely textural and grippy" nature, with "bright lemon and light yogurt flavors." This review underscores the wine's multi-layered character and sensory appeal, earning it an excellent rating.

Erin Brooks from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also awarded the wine a score of 92, focusing on its aromatic and textural features. Brooks describes "gregarious aromas of baked apples, almonds, dried hay, bread dough, and candle wax." The palate is characterized as "medium-bodied, plush, and rounded," with "an understated core of honeyed fruit" and "vibrant acidity." Brooks appreciates its "long, fragrant finish," suggesting a well-rounded and enjoyable drinking experience.

In summary, the 2022 Melville Chardonnay Estate Santa Rita Hills is a well-crafted wine that excels in balance, texture, and complexity. With high praise from notable reviewers, it stands as a commendable example of Chardonnay from this esteemed region.