Melville’s chardonnay is planted predominantly on the west side of the estate, on poor soils and without any shelter from the brunt of brutal ocean-winds. These conditions cause the chardonnay to capture the vibrancy, minerality, and concentrated flavors that are hallmarks of the Santa Rita Hills appellation. Fruit was harvested by hand then gently whole-cluster pressed, cold settled overnight and transferred by gravity to barrel for fermentation in neutral French oak barrels, with zero malolactic and sur lie aging without any lees disturbance.

Aromas of orange blossom, citrus fruit, hazelnut and toasty oak.
The palate is big and intense, an abundance of citrus fruits from start to finish but the use of oak is expertly done as though it weaves in and out and wraps around the vibrant fruit. For the money this is a lovely suprise…certainly not one to be missed!