TN: 2008 Melville Pinot Noir Estate Verna's

WINE TALK
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  • 2008 Melville Pinot Noir Estate Verna’s - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (12/7/2010)
    A reliable pinot that’s good from the moment you pull the cork. Floral berry elements elevate the nose. The palate has some heft, but is not weighty per se. Deep berry flavors, spice, and shoyu round it out. Not a very long finish, but at less than $20 it’s hard to complain about this otherwise pretty complete package. I would love to see this one in a blind lineup against domestics at twice the price, and Burgs 3-5 times the price and see where the real QPR shakes out. I should have bought a case or more; if the 2009 is as good, I definitely will. Could hold for a year or 2 without worry.

Posted from CellarTracker

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Nate,

Though I’ve yet to have it, my guess is that the 09 Verna’s will be as good if not better than the 08. It was a ‘better year’ down here for grapes - no frosts in the Spring or Fall, not as much extreme heat in July, etc . . .

As you point out, this certainly is a ‘no brainer’ QPR year in and year out . . . Too bad for us rhone-variety guys that they pulled out much of their syrah from Verna’s save for a bit for themselves, a bit for Jaffurs, and some for Chad Melville at Samsara - it’s a pretty special site for the variety there. Luckily, White Hawk is literally across the street (-:

Cheers!