Black raspberry, black currant, cherry, camphor, and incense aromas jump from the glass of the dark ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Pinot Noir Terraces. An ethereal texture, multiple dimensions, fine purity, good acidity, and a layered mouthfeel suggest it should drink well for a decade. Melville’s six Pinot Noir cuvees are all noteworthy. With the exception of the Verna’s Vineyard wines, which come from Los Alamos, the other five are all made from different parcels of the same vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, with various density of plantings as well as clonal choices.Tel. (805) 235-7030

Very fine, dry and complex, a wine of considerable power. Shows intricately layered flavors of wild forest blackberries, cherries, sassafras, anise, grilled mushroom, charred meat bone and Asian spices, wrapped into significant, but ultra-refined, tannins. High-toned and classic. Now through 2013.——S.H.(11/1/2009)—— 94