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Melville is an estate driven winery with a focused commitment to producing Burgundian and Northern Rhône varietals with the utmost respect for their history as well as the site on which they are grown.
Located in the center of the Santa Rita Hills appellation, in Santa Barbara County, the estate currently has 85 acres planted to vineyards. The climate here is significantly impacted by its proximity to the ocean, and marked by consistent morning and evening fog and steady afternoon winds.
The Inox cuvee recieves no barrel aging at all. Upon immediate and gentle whole-cluster pressing, the juice is transferred into one small stainless steel tank where it remains until the time of bottling without any contact with oak. The wine ferments three months at an average temperature of 45°F to capture and enhance the fruit’s delicate aromatics. The subsequent cold storage also prohibits the onset of malo-lactic fermentation. The wine remains on its lees without any disturbance for five months before being filtered and bottled. Inox, French for stainless steel, continues to prove a suitable title for this wine, whose purity and precision dictate such a designation. Reviews Robert Parker 91 Points
One of California’s most successful stainless steel fermented and aged Chardonnays is Melville’s Clone 76 Inox. The medium to full-bodied 2008 Chardonnay Clone 76 Inox exhibits crisp acids along with lemon, peach blossom, and honeyed citrus notes. A delicious, naked expression of Chardonnay, it should drink nicely for 3-4 years.
International Wine Cellar 91 Points
Bright yellow. Pungent aromas of lemon and grapefruit pith, tarragon and wet stone. Becomes more floral with air and offers sweet citrus and honeysuckle on the palate. Very fresh chardonnay with strong mineral bite and very good finishing clarity. | 
