Citrus, pastry, white flowers and crushed rocks are some of the notes that emerge from Melville's 2011 Chardonnay Estate Clone 76 Inox. The extreme, cold, austere style is reminescent of the wines Greg Brewer makes under his Diatom label. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.
Longtime winemaker Greg Brewer has done a great job with these new releases. Although there are a number of highlights here, it is the Pinots that truly shine in 2010. I also tasted the 2010 Chardonnay Estate, but it was completely closed down and in no mood to be evaluated, so I will have to wait for another opportunity to get a better read.
Tel. (805) 235-7030; www.melvillewinery.com