2022 Melville Estate Sta. Rita Hills Syrah

Producer: Melville Winery  Region: Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California Varietal: Syrah  Year: 2022   Wine & Spirits, 95 Points  "Chad Melville’s estate-grown syrah leans on the Estrella River clone, a selection that’s late to bloom and late to ripen—it is typically harvested in November, the whole clusters submitted to a cold soak, native fermentation, and aging in neutral barrels. It’s low-intervention winemaking with a stunning result: The wildly exotic aromatics bring lavender, violets, plum, smoked tea, olive and, above all, pepper—like walking under a pepper tree on a warm afternoon as the fruit nears peak ripeness. The flavors are exotic, lush and herbal at once, delivered with a creamy midpalate and fine leafy tannins, elegant and long. It’s drinking beautifully now and would be a wonder to follow as it ages."  Vinous, 94 Points  "The 2019 Syrah (Sta. Rita Hills) is intensely bold and savory. Black pepper, leather, lavender, spice and juniper berry are