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2016 Melville Sandy's Block Pinot Noir

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

April 9, 2023 - $31

Estimate

RATINGS

96Wine Enthusiast

Aromas of snappy pomegranate, smashed pine, dewy chaparral and dried carnation show on the epic nose...crisp and bright in feel, where sour cherry, thyme, sage and blistered tomato flavors engage all parts of the palate.

94Jeb Dunnuck

...reveals a Burgundian bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, forest floor, stems, and loads of spice...silky, polished and elegant, yet has good concentration...

92Vinous / IWC

...impeccable. Gracious and lifted...lovely beams of underlying tannin that give the wine its persistence and overall shape. Orange peel, cranberry, white pepper, mint and red berry are all beautifully lifted throughout.

91The Wine Advocate

...pretty notes of red cherry, plum preserve, forest floor and candied berries, with some stemmy top-notes on the upper register. Medium-bodied, saline and quite open-knit on the palate, this is a supple, approachable Pinot Noir...

REGION

United States, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County, Santa Rita Hills

Santa Rita Hills AVA in northern Santa Barbara County was granted appellation status in 2001. Located between the towns of Lompoc and Buellton, it has a total area of 30,720 acres with 2,700 vineyard acres. The area is considered a cool climate for vineyards, so vineyards are most often planted with the cool-weather grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The hills in the western part of this appellation are directly exposed to the Pacific Ocean, meaning that maritime winds and fog make the western edge of the Santa Rita Hills AVA particularly cool. The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard planted in 1971 was the first vineyard in the district and is still considered one of the best.

TYPE

Red Wine, Pinot Noir

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.