Winemaker Notes
On the nose you instantly get a gust of ocean breeze as if standing in front of a wave crashing on the shore. The scent of shallow ocean gives way to crushed chalk followed by lime, under-ripe pineapple, and honeysuckle. The palate electrifies with citrus notes of kumquats and lime. The signature Sta. Rita Hills sunshine takes stage in the glass in the form of vibrant pineapple and golden kiwi. The 2021 Estate Chardonnay’s freshness begs for food but does great with just good conversation.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Chardonnay Estate is scented of white peaches and quince with savory undertones of salted almonds, meringue and lemon peel. Medium-bodied, concentrated and expansive, it offers slowly unfurling savory layers, refreshing acidity and a long finish driven by a pleasing touch of anchoring texture. This is juicy and appealing yet layered and intense! Best After 2022.
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Jeb Dunnuck
While just bottled eight days before this tasting, the 2021 Chardonnay Estate wasn’t showing any worse for wear and has a rounded, layered, medium-bodied style as well as beautiful honeyed minerality, some classic Sta. Rita Hills salty citrus-like fruit, terrific balance, and a great finish. It’s a gem of a cool-climate Chardonnay from Melville that readers will love. It should represent a great value as well.
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James Suckling
Sliced green apple and pear character with a lightly salty note. Medium to full body. Some salted caramel. Plenty of flavor and depth. Drink or hold.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2021 Melville Sta. Rita Hills Estate Chardonnay is built for a meal. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of core and stone fruits and a note of minerality. Serve this with steamed Dungeness crab. (Tasted: November 19, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
Soft melon and pineapple aromas are lifted by white flower on the nose of this wine. The palate is broad and generous in flavor, offering clean lines of lychee, lime and more pineapple
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.