On the west side of the Melville property, the three undulating slopes of Terraces are planted on clay-rich loam and calcareous shale soils totaling 4.9 acres. The combined sections wrap 120 degrees around Block M on the mesa above and face west, lying completely exposed to the elements, enduring severe wind pressure, several different sun exposures and challenging drainage issues. Planted to five different clones of Pinot Noir: Swan, Mount Eden, 115, 667 and 777, resulting in a unique combination of older California field selections and newer Dijonnaise clonal material. 50% of the fruit was gently de-stemmed with 50% remaining as whole clusters.
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "Fermented with 60% whole clusters and aged in neutral wood, the 2023 Pinot Noir Terraces is very complete, with framboise and redcurrant fruit intermixed with sappy flowers, underbrush, and sandalwood. It's medium-bodied, with a pure, seamless mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It picks up more classic Sta. Rita Hills iodine and marine-like nuances as it sits in the glass, and it's just an incredibly compelling, complete Pinot Noir that will benefit from a year or two and shine over the following decade. Drink 2026-2036."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 95+ POINTS - "One of the more impressive wines in the range, the 2023 Pinot Noir Terraces hails from a west-facing hillside planted on clay soils that receive the brunt of winds coming off the Pacific. It opens slowly but steadily, its mineral-driven, persistent core hinted at by the intensity and focus of its saline, spicy and herbal bouquet. The palate is dense, concentrated and palpably tense, gradually releasing into a glacially slow, tenacious finish that blooms with the region's signature tea-like aromatics and marine overtones. Despite the taut, youthful buttoned-up nature here, there is a nimbleness and airiness to this wine that is deeply alluring, and it should be a pleasure to watch evolve in the cellar."
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "Fermented with 60% whole clusters and aged in neutral wood, the 2023 Pinot Noir Terraces is very complete, with framboise and redcurrant fruit intermixed with sappy flowers, underbrush, and sandalwood. It's medium-bodied, with a pure, seamless mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It picks up more classic Sta. Rita Hills iodine and marine-like nuances as it sits in the glass, and it's just an incredibly compelling, complete Pinot Noir that will benefit from a year or two and shine over the following decade. Drink 2026-2036."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 95+ POINTS - "One of the more impressive wines in the range, the 2023 Pinot Noir Terraces hails from a west-facing hillside planted on clay soils that receive the brunt of winds coming off the Pacific. It opens slowly but steadily, its mineral-driven, persistent core hinted at by the intensity and focus of its saline, spicy and herbal bouquet. The palate is dense, concentrated and palpably tense, gradually releasing into a glacially slow, tenacious finish that blooms with the region's signature tea-like aromatics and marine overtones. Despite the taut, youthful buttoned-up nature here, there is a nimbleness and airiness to this wine that is deeply alluring, and it should be a pleasure to watch evolve in the cellar."
