National Distribution of Melanto Terrace
Making wine is like raising a child. Both mature over time, changing daily and always in a dynamic state.
A love and passion is needed during this time to ensure full development. I grew up on a street named Melanto
Terrace and this wine is a tribute to all those goods times spent with family
2007 Melanto Terrace Chardonnay
 TASTING NOTES
A very lightly oaked wine, 40% was aged for 3 months in 100% French Oak-all the barrels were approx 5 years old so they provide more toffee and caramel flavors instead of smoke and toast.
A deep straw color with a golden hue. Some pear and apple pie characters sweeten the nose . This wine has 5% Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay that went through full malo-lactic fermentation providing the butter and bready/yeasty aromatics. The elevation of this vineyard provides fruit which gives freshness to the palate. It also has 5% Viognier from Capay Valley which adds a softness and somewhat oily character on the nose. The mouth feel is fresh and lively with a coating around the wines acid profile. Granny smith apple, pear, fig flavors combine with the caramel flavors from the oak to complete the taste. This wine has a succulence and finish that lingers well after it is finished.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Vintage: 2007
Case Production: 2,000 cases
Fruit: 90% Lodi Chardonnay, 5% Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, 5% Capay Valley Viognier
Oak: 40% in neutral French Oak for 3 months
Alcohol: 13.5%
2007 Melanto Terrace Sauvignon Blanc
 TASTING NOTES
At Melanto Terrace we offer many different styles of wines that compliment many different occasions and ultimately tastes. This New Zealand style classic cat pee/herbaceousness is a sign of total non-oxidative handling of the juice and in turn the wine. This wine was not picked early to display these characters and ultimately having a low alcohol and sharp acidic finish.
Our wines have to be complex and this wine is that to say the least. With this type of juice/wine handling and element called ‘minerality’ can be fully captured. Search this wine aromatically and you will find a crystal like sharpness both in the aroma and flavor, more like a diamond-this is minerality and it leaves your senses fresh and crisp. The essence of lime and its intensity adds a sweet and sour note that compliments the wines complexity. It explodes out of the glass aromatically to be followed by a soft and silky palate which is refreshing delightful. The flavors are integrated and they present a citrus twist that combines, lime, lemon and tangerine. It enters the mouth round and plush and finishes elegantly crisp. This wine is in need of some oxygen in the first few minutes to release the depth and complexity it has to offer.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Vintage: 2005
Case Production: 500 cases
Appellation: 100% Lodi
Fruit: 100% Lodi Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 13.9%
2006 Melanto Terrace Sauvignon Blanc  TASTING NOTES
Distinctive aromas and flavors of honeydew, citrus and lemongrass mark this wine as classic Sauvignon Blanc. This delicately refined wine was hand crafted from three Northern Californian viticultural regions. Its bright fruit, balance and crispness make it an excellent aperitif and mealtime wine.
ACCOLADES
90 PTS -- BEST BUY in upcoming September issue of Wine Enthusiast
87 PTS -- August, 2007 issue of Wine Spectator
SILVER -- 2007 North of the Gate Wine Competition
BRONZE -- 2007 San Diego International Wine Competition
BRONZE -- 2007 San Francisco International Wine Competition
BRONZE -- 2007 Riverside International Wine Competition
BRONZE -- 2007 Los Angeles International Wine Competition
TECHNICAL NOTES
Vintage: 2006
Case Production: 2,000 cases
Appellation: 35% Lake County, 30% Mendocino County, 30% Suisun Valley, 5% Lodi
Vineyards: several North Coast vineyards
Alcohol: 14.10%
SOLD OUT
2005 Melanto Terrace Sangiovese
 TASTING NOTES
This Sangiovese, pronounced SAN-JOH-VAY-ZAE is made in a wide range of styles in California. This variety is most famous as the main component of the Chianti blend in Tuscany. Italian immigrants planted cuttings in California in the late 1800’s. True to its style, this wine has an abundance of strawberry and plums, touches of violets and blueberries add to the wines aromatic complexity. Hints of vanilla, spice and sweet oak complements its fruit characteristics.
The flavors consist of dark cherry, sweet vanilla with a tannic structure that has a medium firmness, adding depth, not bitterness or dryness. This wine is a great aperitif and pairs nicely with cheese, spicy dishes, duck and chicken. It is just as good with a slight chill on it for those hot afternoons on the deck.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Vintage: 2005
Case Production: 1,000 cases
Appellation: 95% Napa Valley, 5% Alexander Valley
Fruit: 95% Napa Valley Sangiovese,
5% Alexander Valley Merlot
Alcohol: 13.5%
2005 Melanto Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon
 TASTING NOTES
This is an extremely fruit forward, user-friendly wine. This handcrafted wine is soft and rich with a great core of black fruits and an integrated, balanced mouth feel. It combines black currants some notes of vanilla and subtle toast flavors compliment this wines long finish. All the Burford and Brown wines must be varietally distinct, so some aromas/flavors consisting of the above should be present, however, not dominating. This wine has been made to consume immediately. The addition of 5% Merlot gives a softness and elegance, which lets you enjoy it by itself, or paired with a rich hearty dish.
Melanto Terrace was the street Australian winemaker Peter Burford spent most of his life. This wine is a tribute to all those good times spent with family and friends.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Vintage: 2005
Case Production: 4,000 cases
Appellation: 95% Lake County, 5% Alexander Valley
Fruit: 95% Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon,
5% Alexander Valley Merlot
Alcohol: 13.5%
2005 Melanto Terrace Zinfandel
 TASTING NOTES
Bright raspberry fruit, freshly cracked black pepper and nuances of sweet oak combine to make this most memorable Zinfandel. Hailing from the Wildwood Amador vineyard, the Zinfandel grape producers some of California's most memorable Zinfandels. With an elevation of 4,000 ft. this terraced vineyard offers fruit with an abundance of complexity.
It is lush yet still refined, holding its 15+% alcohol beautifully with no signs of fading for years to come. Zinfandel is my favorite to make as it always seems to deliver something unique. This variety reminds me of Australian Grenache. It can hold high alcohols extremely well as long as you have the support it needs. I do not rely on oak to do this, mainly the spice rack and variety of fruits that zinfandel presents. Vanilla and mocha from the barrels is used to enhance these components, not over shadow them.
ACCOLADES
3.5 Stars -- The Press Democrat, 2007
SILVER -- 2007 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
SILVER -- 2007 Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition
SILVER -- 2007 Orange County Wine Competition
BRONZE -- 2007 San Francisco International Wine Competition
TECHNICAL NOTES
Vintage: 2005
Case Production: 1,500 cases
Fruit: 100% Zinfandel
Vineyard: 100% Wildwood Amador County
Oak: 100% French Oak, 33% new
Alcohol: 15.00% |
