96 points Wine Enthusiast: "A lighter hue in the glass, this bottling is fresh while candied on the nose, offering aromas of raspberry and strawberry alongside potpourri and subtle herbs. The palate's array of flavors is impressive, showing tart strawberry, sansho pepper and wild thyme elements. Alcohol 13.4%. (Sep 2025)"
95 points International Wine Report: "The 2023 Melville Estate Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills shows a vibrant ruby hue edged with a faint pink glow in the glass. Aromatically, it unfolds with strawberry, rosemary sprigs, dried herbs, and a touch of spice, layered over wild rose and hibiscus. The palate reveals tart blueberry and spiced plum, carried by savory undertones of forest floor and faint damp earth. Medium-bodied and finely structured, it offers polished tannins and a lifted, mineral-accented finish. Drink: 2025-2035. (Sep 2025)"
94 points Jim Gordon (JamesSuckling.com): "Bold, bright and vivid, packed with red and black fruit, savory black tea and dried mushroom notes. Fermented with 40% whole clusters and aged in neutral barrels. So floral, fragrant and lively. Moderate tannins and a medium body. Drink or hold. (10/30/24)"
93 points Billy Norris (Vinous): "Creamy berry fruit, leather, tobacco and cedar join together in a seamless package as the 2023 Pinot Noir Estate makes its opening arguments. It delivers much concentration and energy, all wrapped in tingly blood orange acids and flickers of flinty, smoky reduction. The 2023 is deeply complex and perfectly melded together. Best of all, it's a fantastic value. Drink: 2025-2033. (Aug 2025)"
93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2023 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is a terrific base appellation release, with redcurrants, framboise, peppery herbs, and floral nuances on the nose. Medium-bodied, pure, supple, and well-structured on the palate, it has integrated acidity and ripe, polished tannins. Fermented with 40% whole cluster and aged in neutral wood, it’s beautifully done and worth a case purchase. Drink: 2025-2030. (Sep 2025)"
92+ points Matthew Luczy (Wine Advocate): "Tasted just three weeks after its bottling, the 2023 Pinot Noir Estate is already showing beautifully. The nose presents powerful dark fruit and citrus peel aromas with spry energy, notes that are mirrored on the silky, refined palate. It finishes with a lovely balance between saturated fruits and a powdery, subtly drying structure. I look forward to checking back on this after a bit more time in bottle. Drink: 2025-2033. (Oct 2024)"
Producer notes: "This wine is always full of crunchy red fruits like ripe pomegranate, ripe cranberry, and dark raspberry, along with beautifully integrated savory notes of dried native sage, dark oolong tea, salty minerality, and dried blood orange peel, with hints of rose petals. These aromas are followed by notes of incense, Indian spices, and crushed rocks, paving the way for a bright and fresh initial response on the palate. The dense fruit is elegantly balanced with fine tannins that give the wine its seamless texture. This versatile wine can be paired with everything from a poke bowl to grilled pork chop. Alcohol 13.4%."
95 points International Wine Report: "The 2023 Melville Estate Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills shows a vibrant ruby hue edged with a faint pink glow in the glass. Aromatically, it unfolds with strawberry, rosemary sprigs, dried herbs, and a touch of spice, layered over wild rose and hibiscus. The palate reveals tart blueberry and spiced plum, carried by savory undertones of forest floor and faint damp earth. Medium-bodied and finely structured, it offers polished tannins and a lifted, mineral-accented finish. Drink: 2025-2035. (Sep 2025)"
94 points Jim Gordon (JamesSuckling.com): "Bold, bright and vivid, packed with red and black fruit, savory black tea and dried mushroom notes. Fermented with 40% whole clusters and aged in neutral barrels. So floral, fragrant and lively. Moderate tannins and a medium body. Drink or hold. (10/30/24)"
93 points Billy Norris (Vinous): "Creamy berry fruit, leather, tobacco and cedar join together in a seamless package as the 2023 Pinot Noir Estate makes its opening arguments. It delivers much concentration and energy, all wrapped in tingly blood orange acids and flickers of flinty, smoky reduction. The 2023 is deeply complex and perfectly melded together. Best of all, it's a fantastic value. Drink: 2025-2033. (Aug 2025)"
93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2023 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is a terrific base appellation release, with redcurrants, framboise, peppery herbs, and floral nuances on the nose. Medium-bodied, pure, supple, and well-structured on the palate, it has integrated acidity and ripe, polished tannins. Fermented with 40% whole cluster and aged in neutral wood, it’s beautifully done and worth a case purchase. Drink: 2025-2030. (Sep 2025)"
92+ points Matthew Luczy (Wine Advocate): "Tasted just three weeks after its bottling, the 2023 Pinot Noir Estate is already showing beautifully. The nose presents powerful dark fruit and citrus peel aromas with spry energy, notes that are mirrored on the silky, refined palate. It finishes with a lovely balance between saturated fruits and a powdery, subtly drying structure. I look forward to checking back on this after a bit more time in bottle. Drink: 2025-2033. (Oct 2024)"
Producer notes: "This wine is always full of crunchy red fruits like ripe pomegranate, ripe cranberry, and dark raspberry, along with beautifully integrated savory notes of dried native sage, dark oolong tea, salty minerality, and dried blood orange peel, with hints of rose petals. These aromas are followed by notes of incense, Indian spices, and crushed rocks, paving the way for a bright and fresh initial response on the palate. The dense fruit is elegantly balanced with fine tannins that give the wine its seamless texture. This versatile wine can be paired with everything from a poke bowl to grilled pork chop. Alcohol 13.4%."
| Product SKU | 353752 |
| Producer | Melville |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| SubRegion | Central Coast |
| Appellation | Sta. Rita Hills |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 13.4% |
| Ships To |
