Description
Chad Melville works in the western hills of the Santa Ynez Valley; a paradoxical landscape of exceptional cool temperatures - despite being less than 150 miles from Los Angeles! This is down to it's unusual east-west orientation which funnels the cool Pacific winds down the length of the valley. These conditions create incredibly sunny vineyards with every hint of moisture pulled from the surface of the grapes by the wind. The intense concentration, brilliant flavour and harsh, stressful environment creates some of the finest Pinot, Chardonnay and Syrah around. The history of the estate starts in 1989 when grape grower Ron Melville upped sticks and moved from Knight’s Valley in Sonoma down to this property in Santa Ynez. Nowadays run by Ron and his sons Chad & Brent, Chad has taken over most of the winemaking duties. Chad’s philosophy is quite simple – “At the time of harvest, we consider the wines to already be made and strive not to interfere with their natural path.” In other words, oaking is neutral, wines should reflect their vintage and what results in clean, clear, fruit-driven wines. Magnificent. Winemaker’s Notes: “Donna’s Block sits on a small 3.6-acre section located in the northeast portion of our vineyard composed of sandy soil – think beach sand minus the umbrella. This block endures an incredibly long and exposed growing season within the Sta. Rita Hills cold-climate wind and sun. Grown in this inhospitable climate, it can be challenging to get syrah to fully ripen, but with our supportive organic farming methods, we are able to nurture this delicate block and find it produces a syrah that is stylistically elegant and intriguing. Planted to equal parts Clone 1 and Estrella selection in twenty feet of well-drained and nutrient deficient sandy soils, this block results in a wine of great depth and concentration along with high-toned and hypnotic aromatics. Donna’s Block Syrah is so distinct, it could be from nowhere else. The Sta. Rita Hills planted fusion of old-world approach and new-world California fruit yields a captivating mixture for the senses. Its aroma is rich with hints of white and black pepper, olive tapenade, black fruits, fresh tobacco leaf, and blood orange. By marrying lively acidity with polished tannins, the conclusion bursts with flavors that keep unfolding, lingering for minutes on end. The wine leaves you thinking, where could this be from? Only to remind you, exactly where it is from…”