Melville, Donna's Syrah, Sta. Rita Hills, California, 2021

Overview of the Wine
There is no place on earth quite like the Sta. Rita Hills. The highly unusual east-west (or transverse) mountain range, close proximity to the cold Pacific, consistent coastal fog, and steady afternoon breezes together create ideal conditions for growing cold-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Ron Melville and his sons recognized that these exceptional conditions, combined with their commitment to “winegrowing,” would result in wines of remarkable quality. Melville Vineyards was established in 1996 in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills and has since become one of the most highly-regarded estates in California.

With the guidance of Head Winegrower, Chad Melville, Melville’s full-time vineyard crew nurtures their 120 estate acres organically, paying close attention to the health of both the vines and the soil. Farming aggressively, yet carefully, and with the utmost respect to Mother Nature, helps encourage the vines to produce small amounts of intensely flavored/concentrated fruit. At the time of harvest, they consider the wines to already be made, and strive to not interfere with their natural path in the cellar. To this effect, they maintain a minimalist approach by aging their wines only in neutral French oak and stainless steel and utilize whole cluster fermentation to contribute to the depth, structure, and complexity of their wines.

Grape / Blend
Syrah

Origin
Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The wine is enticingly aromatic and well structure, further proving the cool climate influence. On the nose, the Syrah is classically peppery, with notes of dried herbs and jammy plum. On the palate, the wine is expressive with bright red fruit flavors, freshly cracked black pepper, and hints of fine espresso. 

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck 
The 2021 Syrah Donna's is all varietal and comes from the Melville Vineyard. Its vivid ruby/plum hue is followed by classic Syrah notes of ripe blackberries, mulberries, pepper, violets, and gamey meats. These carry to a full-bodied Syrah with ultra-fine tannins, a layered, multi-dimensional texture, and a gorgeous finish. This absolutely captivating Syrah is already impossible to resist yet is going to evolve for 15-20 years with ease. It's up with the finest vintages of this cuvée produced. Hats off to Chad Melville for a brilliant, world class Syrah!

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This fantastic model of cool-climate Syrah starts with extremely peppery aromas that mesh into damp sage, bay leaf, tar, squid ink and elderberry on the nose. The palate is ripe with black-raspberry jam flavors that quickly become complex thanks to cracked green peppercorn, olive tapenade, ash and Sichuan peppercorn elements.

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Syrah Donna's Block has strikingly pure aromas! Blueberry and blood orange are accented by nuances of cracked pepper, teriyaki, Castelvetrano olives, tobacco and graphite. The medium-bodied palate features a concentrated core of nuanced fruit framed by chalky tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a long, flavorful finish. Complex and detailed, this really has it all—fragrant fruit, savory, earth and spice character—and will have a long life in the cellar. Rating: 94+

Product size: 750ml