Merry Edwards Winery Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Sonoma County, United States

Vintage:2019 (Past)

2020 (Current)

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Merry Edwards Winery Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2019
  • VP 94
  • WE 94
  • JD 92
  • 91

Reviews

VinePair

94 Points

March 2, 2022, Keith Beavers

“Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden says that this vintage produced "our sought-after Sonoma Coast style: elegant, bright acidity, red fruit, and earthy notes." This is wonderful because Merry Edwards basically innovated this style! Beautiful and soft with an elegant frame this Pinot Noir shows classic cherry notes with a unique waft of Spring garden vegetables. The palate is the height of balance for this region, with calm fruit and the right amount of natural acidity lifting the wine.”

Wine Enthusiast

94 Points

November 2021, Virginie Boone

“Creamy red fruit and light stemmy spice adorn this soft, silky wine from coastal sites. It shows an opulent mouthfeel and teases of rose and forest floor. Cranberry, pomegranate and rhubarb come to mind on the palate, as full-bodied tannins and oak contrast it all.”

91 Points

September 30, 2021, Kim Marcus

“Opens with an intensely fruity aroma, with concentrated cherry, plum and red currant flavors that are filled with rich acidity. Underbrush accents midpalate lead to ripe spiciness on the finish.”

Jeb Dunnuck

92 Points

July 2021, Jeb Dunnuck

“The appellation 2019 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ... has a vivid translucent ruby color. This carries to a wonderfully balanced, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with lots of ripe strawberry fruits, notes of wildflowers, chalky minerality, and spice, flawless balance, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's beautifully done and just a joy to drink. It should keep nicely for 5-7 years or so.”

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.

Made of grapes from marine-influenced vineyards, this lively, versatile wine has all of the characteristics we look for in our Sonoma Coast appellation blend: elegant yet approachable, food-friendly but able to stand on its own. It’s a pleasure for the senses whether paired with a five-course meal or accompanied only by a sunset with good friends.

Tasting Notes

The lifted, aromatic nose is filled with bright red raspberry, red currant, exotic notes of sandalwood and a hint of vanilla, along with touches of forest floor, earthy evergreen and cocoa. Its mouth-coating entry is round and generous, offering up layers of juicy red cherries and refreshing acidity. While bright and engaging now, an underlying core of lushness shows it possesses the elements to develop over time.

Harvest Notes

The 2019 growing season provided ample rain and moderate weather through the summer, which helped us achieve our sought-after Sonoma Coast style: elegant, bright acidity, red fruit and earthy notes. As our vineyards mature, we are able to single out the blocks that most exemplify the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. More focused, precision farming is used to get the flavors we are aiming for from specific sites, year after year. 

Food Pairing

A perfect match with the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is an over-the-top charcuterie board. Artisan cured meats, your favorite local cheeses and freshly baked baguettes, olives, nuts, dried fruits, pickled vegetables, roasted garlic.

Technical Information

Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir

Wine Alcohol: 14.5%

pH: 3.70

Harvest Start Date: September 9, 2019

Harvest End Date: September 24, 2019

New Oak: 53%

Aging: Aged sur lie 11 months