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 2023 Melville Chardonnay Estate from Santa Rita Hills represents a fine example of Californian Chardonnay, produced by the reputable Melville winery. With its origins in the Central Coast region, specifically the Santa Rita Hills sub-appellation of Santa Barbara, this wine embodies the characteristics typical of its terroir.

While professional reviews for this specific vintage have yet to be populated, the estate’s Chardonnay offerings are generally well-regarded in the wine community for their balance and expression of regional terroir. Melville, as a producer, is known for its dedication to quality and its skillful winemaking techniques, which are reflected in their wines year after year.

Chardonnays from the Santa Rita Hills often display a vibrant acidity and a mineral-driven profile, which could be expected in this 2023 vintage as well. These wines typically offer a harmonious blend of fruit and mineral notes, often described as having citrus, green apple, and sometimes tropical fruit flavors, complemented by a subtle oak influence due to the common practice of aging chardonnay in oak barrels. The cooler climate of the Santa Rita Hills contributes to the bright acidity and the fresh, lively character of the wines.

While this summary does not include direct quotes from specific reviews, it is based on the general reputation of Melville’s Chardonnay offerings and the characteristics typical to the region. Once reviews become available, it will be interesting to see how this 2023 vintage is received by critics and whether it upholds the high standards set by its predecessors.

In conclusion, the 2023 Melville Chardonnay Estate Santa Rita Hills is anticipated to deliver the quality and regional expression that Melville has consistently provided, making it a wine to watch for those interested in Californian Chardonnays.