2022 Melville Estate Syrah Santa Rita Hills

WE96 Cool-climate Syrah doesn’t get much more exemplary than this, with bold aromas of cracked peppercorn, rosemary, lavender, black raspberry and a touch of dank seaweed that leave the mouth watering. The tense palate carries all that depth as well, offering purple fruit flavors awash in nori, bay laurel and eucalyptus leaf.

JD93 ll Syrah that was fermented with 65% whole clusters and aged in neutral wood, the 2022 Syrah Sta. Rita Hills is a riper, more sun-kissed expression compared to the 2023. Ripe red and black fruits, leather, sweet spices, and dried flowers all give this an Hermitage-like character, and it’s medium-bodied, with a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish.

JS93 A beautiful, sleek, cold-climate red that offers an elegant texture and distinctive fruit flavors. Red fruit, soy, mushrooms and olives. So well balanced, moderately tannic and appetizing.

Estate Notes: The fruit for this wine comes exclusively from our Sta. Rita Hills estate and is a combination of five different Syrah clones (Estrella, Beaucastel 99, 1, 383, 470). The Estrella, 383 and 470 are planted on nutrient deficient, well-drained sand, which always lends an intoxicating and high-toned bouquet of white pepper flowers and spice, while the Clone 99 from Block I is planted on denser sandy loam soil, bringing depth and richness to the table. Harvested mid to late November, 60% of the fruit was gently de-stemmed with 40% remaining as whole clusters and was fermented in small 1.5 ton open top fermenters. Total skin and stem contact averaged 35 days (7-day cold soak, 2+ weeks fermentation, and 2+ week extended maceration). From the press, the wine was transferred directly to neutral barrels (15+ year-old French oak) where it remained sur lie with no sulfur until June when it was gently pressure racked for the first time and prepared for bottling in July. Yields were 2.75 lbs/vine (2.5 tons per acre).Tasting Notes: The wine’s lifted aromatics of red and blue fruits are balanced out by lightly smoked rosemary and freshly ground white pepper with a touch of black olive brine that draws you in to the first sip of fresh bright blueberries and teriyaki lamb jerky. The wine offers a slight grip on the palate, encouraging another sip. Pair with grilled lamb chops with salt, white pepper, and rosemary.