Merry Edwards Winery Meredith Estate Pinot Noir

Sonoma County, United States

Vintage:2019 (Past)

2021 (Current)

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Merry Edwards Winery Meredith Estate Pinot Noir 2019
  • JS 96
  • WE 96
  • WA 95+
  • WS 93

Reviews

JamesSuckling.com 96 Points April 2022, James Suckling

“Aromas of rose petals, red cherries, plums and garden herbs. Full-bodied with fine, taught tannins. Juicy red and black fruit, paired with chicory root, allspice and nutmeg. Dark blue fruit. Well-formed intensity and depth. So structured and tannin-driven. Best after 2025.”

Wine Enthusiast 96 Points November 1, 2021, Virginie Boone

“A potpourri aroma leads to a soft, lushly layered core of baked fruit, with lifted acidity and broad tannins supporting this single-vineyard wine. White pepper and forest floor tones play along, showing the intensity often found from the site.”

Wine Spectator 93 Points September 30, 2021, Kim Marcus

“Suave and well-structured, this offers plum pastry and cherry tart flavors that show plenty of forest floor notes, with firm tannins and acidity. Engaging floral accents linger into the finish, showing lithe spiciness and richness. Drink now through 2026.”

The Wine Advocate 95+ Points June 3, 2021, Erin Brooks

“The 2019 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate has a medium ruby-purple color. It slowly unfolds to black fruits and notes of licorice, graphite, forest floor and prosciutto. The palate is bold and lushly fruited with dark, mineral-laced fruits, a firm, fresh frame and a still youthfully wound finish. Give it another 2-3 years in bottle.”

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 is carefully monitored, with a dedicated vineyard crew positioning shoots and thinning the crop three to four times each growing season. They determine irrigation requirements by measuring precisely the moisture content of the grape leaves.

Winemaking

All grapes are hand-picked at night and hand-sorted in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermented in discrete lots so that individual clones can be treated respectfully. Dijon 667 is highly successful on this site and thus forms a strong foundation for this stunning wine. Highlights of the Swan selection, Dijon 777 and Merry's own UCD37 round out and add complexity to the overall blend. Vegan-friendly. 

Tasting Notes

The nose of this opaque purple wine starts with inviting notes of vanilla cream, fresh blackberries, baking spices and plums. Elegant and refined on the palate, this Estate bottling has a purity of fruit and silky, well-integrated tannins. Brooding black fruit notes and bittersweet chocolate intertwine with a core of well-balanced acidity. The finish is long, bright and mouthwatering— an effortless marriage of intensity and grace.

Harvest Notes

2019 had plenty of early rains, which led to strong canopies and long hang time for the fruit. The grapes held onto their acidity well and provided firm tannins with beautiful structure to highlight the characteristic Meredith dark fruit. 

Technical Information

Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir

Bottling Date: August 11, 2020

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