The 2009 Syrah Donna’s brings together all of the best qualities of the winery’s approach to Syrah. It is an explosive wine that maintains considerable transparency and finesse despite its size. Mint, white flowers and licorice meld together beautifully on the articulate finish. The Donna’s was made with 100% whole clusters. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019 . Melville is one of the better known properties in Santa Barbara. The estate makes a wide range of wines under the direction of oenologist Greg Brewer, and also sells fruit to a number of other producers. The 2009 Pinot Noirs in particular are standouts. Brewer vinified the Pinots with one-third whole clusters. The 2010 Chardonnays had only recently been bottled and needed quite a bit of air to blow off some of their reductive qualities.Tel. (805) 735-7030; www.melvillewinery.com