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Melville Block M Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2012
One of our favorite new Pinot Noir producers from Santa Barbara. Limited single-vineyard release.97 Points Robert Parker: "One of the top Pinot Noirs in this report, Melville’s 2012 Pinot Noir Block M saw the same vinification and elevage as the Terraces, with 80% whole cluster and 18 months in neutral oak. It’s a fabulous wine that gives up notions of ripe currants, plum, underbrush, caramelized meats and spice in its rich, voluptuous and decadently styled palate. The texture here is something, and yet it stays classy and pure, with blockbuster length. It’s hard to resist now, yet should evolve gracefully going forward......Hold onto your hats, as these latest releases from Chad Melville and winemaker Greg Brewer are off-the-charts good! While both of the Chardonnays are beautiful, and play in the clean, crisp and medium-bodied spectrum, it’s the 2012 Pinot Noirs and Syrahs that are incredible across the board. The Pinot Noirs all see varying degrees of whole cluster and are aged completely in neutral French oak barrels. The Syrahs see slightly less whole cluster inclusion, but are also aged all in neutral French oak. In case you missed the prices/scores listed above, these are some of the greatest values in the world of wine today!Melville's Block M bottling from their Small Lot Collection, was formerly known as Carrie's. It is from a parcel of their estate vineyard which sits on a wind-swept mesa where the vines have particularly deep roots into the botella clay soil. Typically it is vinified with a proportion of whole clusters depending on the vintage and aged in seasoned French oak.
Ratings on Delectable
Jay Eagan 
A great finish of dark cherries with balanced tannins and descend grip.
A great finish of dark cherries with balanced tannins and descend grip.
9.3
Charlie Beatty
Buyer wineworksonline.com
Wow!! I bought this weeks ago and never tried it. New they make Great Juice but: Robert Parker's New Advocate is out today, he gave it a 97Rating!! I had to run home after work 10:00pm, oh well the sacrifices you have to make! Beautifull nose with lots of Strawberries and other bright fruit. In mouth what a Great feeling. The perfect feel in the mouth and what a huge finish... A Knockout in my book. Shame that I only have 1 more to drink!! Tomorrow ? No Monday!!! Where will you be??? Melville 2012 Block M Pinot Noir!!!!! Charlie , Steph, Mike, and a touch for Karen....
Wow!! I bought this weeks ago and never tried it. New they make Great Juice but: Robert Parker's New Advocate is out today, he gave it a 97Rating!! I had to run home after work 10:00pm, oh well the sacrifices you have to make! Beautifull nose with lots of Strawberries and other bright fruit. In mouth what a Great feeling. The perfect feel in the mouth and what a huge finish... A Knockout in my book. Shame that I only have 1 more to drink!! Tomorrow ? No Monday!!! Where will you be??? Melville 2012 Block M Pinot Noir!!!!! Charlie , Steph, Mike, and a touch for Karen....
9.9
Phil Stice
Strawberry shortcake. Absolutely no mistaking this for Old World.
Strawberry shortcake. Absolutely no mistaking this for Old World.
8.1
Mark Rosse
Still inky. Very savory and not showing its 15% as labeled.
Still inky. Very savory and not showing its 15% as labeled.
9.2Mark Rosse
15% mess
15% mess
8.5
Jim McCusker
This is very good, but not as good as when we last had it in 2016. The spice component is somewhat overpowering the fruit, leading to a somewhat out-of-balance attribute. That said, this is still a terrific wine - just down a bit from before. Still one of the best QPRs you’ll find in the Central Coast for pinot!
This is very good, but not as good as when we last had it in 2016. The spice component is somewhat overpowering the fruit, leading to a somewhat out-of-balance attribute. That said, this is still a terrific wine - just down a bit from before. Still one of the best QPRs you’ll find in the Central Coast for pinot!
9.2Mark Rosse
Great Santa Rita Hills Pinot! Bravo Melville. Never cared much for their wines, guess I needed to wait longer.
Great Santa Rita Hills Pinot! Bravo Melville. Never cared much for their wines, guess I needed to wait longer.
9.4
Phil Castellano
After receiving an e-mail from Melville today describing how some of the older vintages were taking on new complex acidic character, decided to give this a whirl. Good choice. This Block M has developed further and I really like the secondary flavors that are now present. The fruit tastes riper, looks more garnet than previously, and the wine provides a smoother finish than what I recall from about a year ago. As always, you cannot go wrong with Melville.
After receiving an e-mail from Melville today describing how some of the older vintages were taking on new complex acidic character, decided to give this a whirl. Good choice. This Block M has developed further and I really like the secondary flavors that are now present. The fruit tastes riper, looks more garnet than previously, and the wine provides a smoother finish than what I recall from about a year ago. As always, you cannot go wrong with Melville.
9.2Jim McCusker
Easily one of the best pinots I've ever had from Melville, the 2012 Block M is fantastic. Terrific primary aromas of strawberry with the tell-tale spice edge you get from Melville, this wine is like a premier cru burgundy on (restrained) steroids. Absolutely terrific - and probably the best quality/price ratio pinot you'll find anywhere.
Easily one of the best pinots I've ever had from Melville, the 2012 Block M is fantastic. Terrific primary aromas of strawberry with the tell-tale spice edge you get from Melville, this wine is like a premier cru burgundy on (restrained) steroids. Absolutely terrific - and probably the best quality/price ratio pinot you'll find anywhere.
9.6Phil Castellano
Another day another M. Wonderful Pinot.
Another day another M. Wonderful Pinot.
9.0
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