Merry Edwards Winery Meredith Estate Pinot Noir

Sonoma County, United States

Vintage:2021 (Current)

2019 (Past) |

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Merry Edwards Winery Meredith Estate Pinot Noir 2021
  • JS 96
  • V 95
  • WS 93

Reviews

Wine Spectator 93 Points July 31, 2024, James Molesworth

Offers full-on fruit, with a large, fleshy core of mulberry, boysenberry and loganberry flavors backed by singed apple wood and dark licorice notes. A brambly echo through the finish provides needed energy. Drink now through 2030.

Vinous Media 95 Points June 2024, Antonio Galloni

The 2021 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate is a terrific example of the house style. Bold and forward, with tons of textural depth, the 2021 also possesses superb balance. Black cherry, plum, espresso, menthol, licorice and cloves are some of the notes that build in this glass. Even with all of its textural intensity, the Meredith retains very good freshness and verve.

JamesSuckling.com 96 Points November 23, 2023, James Suckling

“Fascinating aromas to this with dark fruits and flint with iron shavings. Ink. Bark and mushroom. Full-bodied with juicy supple tannins. Deep and serious. Dark at the end. Thoughtful complexity.”

Overview

Merry Edwards Winery was founded in 1997 and produces terroir-driven, single-vineyard wines from 80 acres of estate vineyards in the Russian River Valley. The winery is known for crafting Pinot Noirs of immense depth, elegant structure and exceptional longevity as well as its aromatic, barrel-aged Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc, which is among the most sought after made in California. A single-vineyard Chardonnay and Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc round out the portfolio.

In 1996, Merry purchased this 24-acre site, an abandoned apple orchard southwest of the Sebastopol city limits. Two years later, she converted the entire parcel to Pinot Noir. Meredith Estate vineyard grows in an area known locally as the Sebastopol Hills. On this cool southern edge of Russian River Valley, summer fog shrouds the area, typically until midday. Vine growth and crop load are carefully monitored and maintained, and irrigation requirements are precisely determined by measuring the moisture content of the grape leaves.

We are now farming all of Meredith Estate organically and intend to attain certification in the near future, but stewardship of this site has always included the use of sustainable, renewable farming practices. Cover crops are maintained between the vine rows, reducing erosion of the steep, sloping terrain and supporting beneficial insects. Natural amendments, including grape pomace and mushroom compost, replenish the soil with micronutrients. Owl boxes and hawk perches encourage natural control of rodents and other pests, and bluebird boxes are being installed to aid insect control.

Winemaking

All grapes are hand-picked at night and hand-sorted in the vineyard and at the winery. 100% destemmed and cold soaked for six days. Fermented in small lots so that individual clones can be treated respectfully. A combination of Dijon 667 and Merry's own UCD37 clones are highly successful on this site and thus forms a strong foundation for this stunning wine. Vegan-friendly. 

Tasting Notes

The 2021 Meredith Estate features floral essences of peony, plumeria and rose. The nose of this deeply layered wine offers hints of toasted nuts, Bing cherry, tangerine and cedar. Seductive and silky tannins mark the entry, with black cherry, dark chocolate and fresh earth leading to a long, elegant finish.

Harvest Notes

We recently took our commitment to sustainability a step further and began farming our most important vineyard, Meredith Estate, organically. We have intensified the focus of our farming on the health of all of our vines and our soil.

Technical Information

Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir

Harvest Start Date: September 16, 2021

Harvest End Date: September 29, 2021

Bottling Date: August 2022

Acres: 24 total; 20 planted acres

Soil Composition: Goldridge sandy loam

Average Vine Age: Planted in 1998

New Oak: 55% new oak

Aging: Aged sur lie 11 months