Melville 2018 Syrah   

2018 Melville Estate Syrah Sta. Rita Hills
Wine Enthusiast
95 Points
Extreme amounts of cracked black pepper spice up the crumbled lilac, dark-black-plum and snappy red-currant aromas on the dynamic nose of this cool-climate bottling. There's a wild zestiness to the palate, where the peppery spice plays well with black-raspberry, lavender and rosemary flavors. Matt Kettmann

NVWE Notes: Bright, focused and spicy, the aromas of this precisely varietal young Syrah are a mix of pomegranate, dark cherry, black cherry, violet, pink peppercorn dried rosemary, forest-floor spice and beef jerky. It is as focused on the palate, where the texture shows polished grip and gives a sinewy impression. The mid-palate flavors and the long lingering finish are a youthful reprise of the aromas, but with a bit of hard-edged minerality at the end. Perfect for service with fatty meats, it should improve for several years.