Merry Edwards Winery Sauvignon Blanc

Sonoma County, United States

Vintage:2021 (Past)

2020 (Past) | 2022 (Current)

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Merry Edwards Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021
  • OB 95
  • WS 92
  • VP 92
  • WE 91

Reviews

VinePair

92 Points

July 5, 2023, Keith Beavers

“Merry Edwards has been making wine in Sonoma for many years. She has been a beacon of quality and complexity and influenced many winemakers after her. She is known for stunning Pinot Noir, but also makes a mean Sauvignon Blanc. And this bottle is a perfect representation of how this winery rolls. Cidery pear and ginger notes come at your nose with a hint of yogurt. The palate is extremely well balanced, with a soft creamy texture and an earthy lemongrass finish. It has depth and verve at the same time. This is a great white wine for a serious meal, I’m thinking halibut or even roasted chicken.”

Wine Spectator

92 Points

May 2023, MaryAnn Worobiec

“Packs ripe, fleshy mango, peach and dried apricot flavors that show terrific focus and persistence, with details of pear, lemon zest, candied ginger and lemongrass. Shows impressive focus on the long finish, with a fresh thread of acidity that keeps the flavors lively and mouthwatering. Drink now.”

Wine Enthusiast

91 Points

March 1, 2023, Jim Gordon

“Floral and aromas take the lead in this full-bodied, creamy-textured wine that offers a soft mouth-feel and the roundness that comes from aging on the lees. Concentration in peaches melons and a good viscosity help the wine stand out.”

Owen Bargreen

95 Points

December 8, 2022, Owen Bargreen

“Always big and loaded with finesse, the gorgeous 2021 Merry Edwards ‘Russian River Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc is a superlative effort by the talented Heidi Van Der Mehden. Very soft upon entry, this leads with nutmeg infused honeydew melon, cashew nut, salted brioche and suggestions of nectarine pie, displaying both a dazzling mineralogy and a downright unctuous texture. Truly a complete wine, enjoy this beauty at a slightly warmer temperature to take in the full range of flavors and aromatics. Drink 2022-2030.”

Overview

Merry Edwards approaches life with graceful intensity. Now in the fifth decade of her winemaking career, Merry has earned the universal respect of winemaking peers, grape growers and academicians.

At home in the Russian River Valley since 1977, Merry Edwards has explored its hills, pockets, slopes and hollows, discovering small sites where choosing the right rootstock, clone and farming techniques can produce exceptional grapes. This led her in 1996 to purchase land in the Sebastopol Hills region of Russian River Valley.

The special care we take to bring out the very best in this variety shows in our results. We use a specific mix of clones—two-thirds Shenandoah (Clone 1) and one-third Sauvignon Musqué—that results in a wine brimming with floral and tropical fruit aromatics with a citrusy, juicy core. Barrel fermentation and twice-weekly lees stirring help us create the characteristic creamy texture and rich body that you’ve come to know and share with your friends and family.

Winemaking

Full fermentation in barrels crafted by Tonnellerie Cadus, 18% new oak, moderate green flavors. Elevage in barrel also allows for our biweekly lees-stirring (for four months) protocol, vital to developing rich mouthfeel. 

Tasting Notes

Abundant aromas of tropical fruit leap from the glass, white pineapple, ripe passionfruit, mango and guava, and a hint of banana cream pie. The palate is round and open, with accents of ruby red grapefruit, honeysuckle and melon married with a burst of crisp, refreshing acidity.

Food Pairing

Pairs beautifully with Kaffir lime and coconut soup with black cod. The combination of Kaffir lime and coconut milk with the slightly spicy broth makes an outstanding pairing with our Sauvignon Blanc.

Technical Information

Varietals: 2/3 Sauvignon Blanc, 1/3 Sauvignon Musqué

Wine Alcohol: 14%

pH: 3.42

Bottling Date: May 2022

New Oak: 18% French, bâtonnage twice per week

Aging: 4 months in barrel