2018 Melville Pinot Noir Block M Santa Rita Hills

Block M is a windswept mesa on the west side of our estate lying adjacent to our Terraces block. Sitting atop a sun exposed mesa with several feet of botella clay soil, the extremity of Block M is enhanced by the gravitational pull on three exposed sides forcing the roots to search deeper for sustenance. Block M is made up of equal amounts of clones 114 and 115. The lesser known 114 is lush, velvety and textural with an elegantly pliant internal core, while clone 115 delivers fruit at a higher pitch coupled with a more structurally pronounced personality. The marriage of these complementary components is what renders our Block M bottling so complete. 30% of the fruit was gently de-stemmed with 70% remaining as whole clusters. Yields were 2.9 pounds/vine (2.6 tons/acre).