MELVILLE SYRAH DONNA'S '16   

MELVILLE SYRAH "DONNA'S", STA. RITA HILLS 2016

Wine Enthusiast

95 Points

Extreme amounts of freshness arise on the nose of this radical cool-climate Syrah, from smashed plums and boysenberries to amazingly intense peppercorn, forest-floor, tobacco, pine-oil and asphalt aromas. Peppercorns, tar, dark herbs and strong anise flavors show on the intriguing palate.

Antonio Galloni - Vinous

94 Points

Melville's 2016 Syrah Estate Donna's is perfumed and savory, with the influence of the 100% whole clusters very much in the foreground, something that was much less the case when the wine was in barrel. Wild flowers, sage, mint, thyme and a host of blue/purplish berry fruit meld together effortlessly. All the elements are simply in the right place. This is another gorgeous wine from Melville.

Wine Spectator

93 Points

Sleek and polished, with expressive blueberry, orange zest and smoky pepper flavors that build richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2024. 584 cases made. Issue Oct 15, 2018 TF

NVWE Notes: Intense, brightly focused, concentrated and forthcoming despite its obvious youth, the nose of this brilliant Syrah delivers aromas of dark boysenberry, blueberry, dark sour cherry, pomegranate syrup, oolong tea, black peppercorn, forest floor spice, dark minerality and smoked meat. It proves densely flavorful, tongue-coating, juicy and vibrant on the palate, with flashy, focused, lingering fruit and deep spice that are a chiseled reflection of the nose. Wonderful now with darkly caramelized meats, it will improve for at least five years and will likely prove long-lived. 584 cases made.