96pts Jeb Dunnuck

Fermented with lots of stems (80%) and raised all in neutral barrels, the 2022 Pinot Noir Block M is another more red-fruited effort that has savory strawberry and redcurrant-like aromatics as well as some leafy herbs, peppery stems, and chalky mineral-like aromas and flavors. It has riveting focus and purity, medium body, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. You could safely put this up with the top Pinot Noirs and red Burgundies out there. I like it today, yet it should evolve for at least a decade.

96pts James Suckling

A very firm, exceptional wine made from vines growing at the highest part of Chad Melville's estate vineyard. Dark cherries, dried cranberries, star anise and plums are wrapped in taut tannins on a medium body. Made from 80% whole clusters that were tiny and concentrated in flavor. Drink or hold.

95pts Decanter

Pinot Noir clones 114 and 115 are grown in Botella clay soils in Block M, above the Terraces on the top of Melville estate's westside hill, with direct exposure to cold Pacific winds and plenty of sunlight —80% whole cluster, aged in neutral French oak barrels for 18 months. The average vine age is 26 years. Medium ruby colour with garnet hues. Super fragrant at the pull of the cork, like a warm berry compote or strawberry rhubarb pie with classic candied red cherry notes that are so distinct to Sta. Rita Hills AVA. With some air comes saddle, leather, sandalwood clove, and a hint of coriander cream. For all its aromatic complexity, the wine is a lot more compact and restrained on the palate. Tart cranberry fruit reigns supreme, along with grapefruit zest and grippy apple skin tannins, leading to a long, smoky clove finish. It’s such a textural wine you want to keep going back for more just out of intrigue. Melville is dedicated to producing cool-climate Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay grown exclusively in its estate vineyards throughout the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, with vines planted mostly on Lompoc dune sand, interspersed with clay loam and shallow hard pans of Monterey shale.

95pts Vinous

The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate Block M is a blend of the highest portions of the western-facing terraces on clay. It is the most intensely mineral, savory and tannic of the Pinots in this range, largely because of tiny berries with high skin-to-juice ratios and the 80% stems (the most of any Melville Pinot). Readers who enjoy taut, vibrant Pinot Noir will adore this. Bright red/purplish fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and sage build into the intensely saline finish. 95+

Winemaker Notes

Block M sits atop a sun exposed and wind-swept mesa on the west side of our estate above several feet of botella clay soil that is planted to Dijon clones 114 and 115. Clone 114 is known for its lush and tender texture, while the more widely known 115 delivers higher toned fruit components and is more pronounced structurally. Always the richest, roundest and most full-bodied of our Small Lot Collection Pinot Noirs, we feel that 114 and 115 work in harmony together and make Block M such a complete bottling. 33% of the fruit was gently de-stemmed with 67% remaining as whole clusters.