Description
WINEMAKERS NOTES
MELBURY originates from a spectacular property on the slopes north of Lake Hennessey, in the hills east of Rutherford.
The name Melbury is in homage to an historic area in London, where the estate owners reside much of the year. Since its debut with the 1999 vintage, the consistent hallmarks of Melbury have been plush red fruits (currants, bing cherries), redolent with spice and the scent of violets. Elegance and a supple texture define the structure of this wine. The particular exposition of this rocky 7-acre hillside vineyard is southerly overlooking Lake Hennessey, allowing the vines to capture the morning sun yet moderating afternoon temperatures.
SOIL: Ancient sedimentary soil with compressed clay. Eastern and Southeastern Exposure.
ELEVATION: 348-522 feet
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
99 points James Suckling
Aromas of terracotta, clay and plum. Kiln too. Full-bodied with super freshness and balance that then shows an incredible finish with an electrical aftertaste. Vibrant. Tingling. Wow. Makes you want to drink it! This is from a very clay-soiled hillside vineyard. (JS, 11/2015)
95 points Wine Advocate
From a 7-acre hillside vineyard overlooking Lake Hennessey, the 2012 Melbury, like its siblings, is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% new oak for a minimum of 24 to 28 months, then bottled unfiltered. The wine displays beautiful blackberry fruit, some charcoal, loamy soil undertones, forest notes, lots of spice, a full-bodied, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, and a super finish of 45+ seconds. Even in a vintage like 2012, this wine ideally needs 3-5 years of bottle age and should keep for 30+ years. (RP, 10/2015)
95 points Vinous
The 2012 Melbury is a gracious, mid-weight wine. Crushed flowers, mint, white pepper, orange peel and red-toned fruit all confer notable freshness. In this tasting, the Melbury comes across as medium in body and also a bit tight, with vibrant acids that are quite persistent. (AG, 05/2024)
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