Press
Reviews
Scores & Ratings
Anderson Valley Chardonnay
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com, July 2024
“Coming from Mendocino, an area slightly less impacted by the heat, the bright yellow/straw-colored 2022 Chardonnay Anderson Valley is lifted with a perfume of citrus blossoms, fresh herbs, green apple, and wet stones. Medium to full-bodied, it’s elegant, clean, and balanced, and it has a good finish. It should drink well over the next 5-7 years.”
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, July 2024
95 Points
“This newly released AVA expression features grapes from vineyards located in the warmer Boonville area, from organic sources in Philo and from the cool Deep End, making them true reflections of the primary grape-growing zones of the Anderson Valley. Bristling with white-peppered cranberries, Italian herbs, cherry pipe tobacco, and sweet soil. Acidity is racy, lifting pomegranate, red licorice, and forest floor to a high pedestal of intensity.”
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com, July 2024
“This is the first vintage of the 2022 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley. Coming from three vineyards — Carney Ranch in Boonville, Dach Vineyard, and Pinoli Vineyard – it was aged for 10 months in 42% new French oak. It pours a medium ruby color and has a great mountainous feel, with lovely fresh herbs, wild raspberries, brambly herbs, wildflowers, and woodsy spices. Medium-bodied on the palate, it’s lovely and refined, with a clean, silky texture and a mouthwatering finish. It’s very attractive now but will improve over the next 7-8 years if given a chance.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, June 2024
92 Points
“Mulled strawberry, raspberry and damson plum notes carry a pretty rose petal accent in this charming red, while a sandalwood accent frames the finish.”
Bucher Pinot Noir
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“This wine is tightly youthful and bright, with pronounced elements of earthy dried herb, forest and black and white pepper. Broad and expansive on the palate, it shows an opulent fleshiness and dark brooding fruit notes, finishing in toasted oak and a tease of cola.”Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
Meridith May, The Tasting Panel, Jan/Feb 2022
” ‘It’s John and Diane Bucher’s commitment to sustainable farming that has been the guid-ing force for their winegrowing,’ explains von der Mehden. ‘I work closely with them in the vineyard and can attest to the fact that the fruit we get from this site is high-quality and produces powerful yet balanced Pinots.’ Beetroot and dark plum unite to bring out sandalwood and basil in this profound wine, in which ripe fruit with a savory side meets superb acid structure.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“Located in the Russian River Valley, the ‘Bucher Vineyard’ is planted to Pommard and Merry Edwards clonal selections of Pinot Noir. The palate is silky smooth with a seamless texture and glorious sense of length. Wild blackberry and gran-orange flavors combine with minerals, loamy soils and smoky undertones on the palate. Full-bodied, yet showing some great tension, this outstanding Pinot Noir has another fifteen years in the cellar.”
Isaac James Baker, Terroirist.com, January 2022
“Deep ruby color. So fresh and bright on the nose, with strawberries and cranberry relish, backed up by enticing pepper, violets, bay leaf, tobacco – a lot to unpack. Pure and racy on the palate, a full but fresh appeal with bright raspberries and cherries. Notes of mint, rose petal, cola and anise add complexity, while stony, clay, earthy elements offer a lot to ponder. Is it enjoyable now? Massively, but give it five or eight years and I’d love to see what this turns into. The fourth vintage of this wine, which has been overseen my winemaker Heidi von der Mehden since she took over.”
Alder Yarrow, vinography.com, October 2021
“Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of slightly smoky raspberry and cherry fruit. In the mouth, raspberry and cherry notes mix with herbs and powdery tannins that lightly coat the mouth. There’s a faint smokiness in the finish, with a hint of alcoholic heat. Excellent acidity.”
Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2019
“The 2017 Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard has a medium ruby color and offers woodsmoke, cranberries, Bing cherries, dried flowers, citrus peel and saline aromas on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied and youthfully coiled, taking its time to open up to tobacco-laced fruits. It has firm, grainy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long and woodsy. Give this another couple of years in bottle—this has lots more to give with a bit more time.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, December 2020
“The 2017, a large-framed Pinot Noir, combines ripe black fruit notes with fabulous acidity that keeps it fresh and lively. Not overdone, it carries its 14.5 percent stated-alcohol seamlessly. Underneath the fruit lies an intriguing and balancing mineral-like tarriness. A delightful hint of bitterness in the finish reinforces that this wine, as juicy as it is, is not solely about fruit. Refined tannins made it hard to resist now. This wine bodes well for Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden’s talents.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2019
“This is a full-flavored, full-bodied wine that shows upfront power and intensity in aromas of black tea, forest floor and wild strawberry. The palate brings black cherry and blackberry richness, with enough juicy acidity to cut through the grippy tannins.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2018
“This fleshy medium-bodied red from the Westside Road site tastes of cherry liqueur, cassis, stemmy black tea and forest floor. This is a pretty wine that’s also powerful, with undeniable balance.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, April 30, 2019
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard has a lovely nose of woodsmoke and tobacco with hints of laurel over a core of wild blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry with savory/meaty hints. The palate is medium to full-bodied with lovely, spicy black fruits supported by firm, grainy-textured tannins and juicy freshness to lift the finish.”
Coopersmith Pinot Noir
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider, June 12, 2024
“An assertively ripe red, whose eye-opening burst of boysenberry, açaí berry and linzer aromas and flavors is defined and energetic in feel. Shows a backdrop of anise and bramble through the juicy, fruit-filled finish.”
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com, July 2024
“From the vineyard around the winery, planted entirely with Merry’s clone (also known as the UC Davis 37), the 2022 Pinot Noir Coopersmith spent 10 months in 58% new French oak. It leaps from the glass with fresh aromas of cherry liqueur, blueberries, mocha, and pine. Medium to full-bodied, it offers velvety plush tannins, is ripe without feeling weighted, and has a long, toasty finish. It’s going to age gracefully over the next 10 years.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider, June 2023
“Ripe and vibrant, with a delightful beam of mulberry puree and cherry pâte de fruit streaming through, laced liberally with iris and hibiscus notes and ending with a deliciously energetic encore of fruit on the lightly toasted, bramble-tinged finish.”
Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 2023
“Ambitious and well polished, this oak-perfumed wine combines excellent fruit concentration with ample cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg notes from aging in new French barrels. Moderate tannins and a sense of saturation bode well for further improvement with age.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits, Spring 2024
“This vineyard is adjacent to the winery, just west of the Laguna de Santa Rosa, where founder Merry Edwards and her husband, Ken Coopersmith, planted close to ten acres of pinot noir in 2001. Twenty years on, those vines gave a light, fresh wine that deepens and darkens, growing big, rich and smoky in the end. Fragrant woodland scents seem to follow the fruit maturing from green to brown to black.”
Isaac James Baker, Sept. 27, 2023
“The aromas pop with this rich cherry ganache, strawberry jam, watermelon, with a complex blend of rhubarb, mint, tobacco, dusty earth, and some spiced tea. On the palate, this shows bright acidity and a juicy texture with chewy tannins and a mouthwatering feel throughout. Tangy black cherries, plenty of raspberries and strawberries, cherry pie, deep but so fresh and tasted pure. This one has a really cool signature of tobacco, rose hips, white pepper, rhubarb, some roasted nuts, clay and rocky soil, with this mineral-laden finish. Another really solid ager but so expressive and clear in its youth. A gem.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“Spicy and herbal, this wine sings in dark cherry, cardamom and rhubarb, broadly lush and yet structured, powerful yet elegant. White pepper and lavender accents contribute compelling complexity and intrigue, the wine full-bodied and robustly built in balanced ripeness.”
Meridith May, Somm Journal, August/September 2021
“This vineyard is usually well manicured. But after the rains of 2019, the soils needed to dry out to reduce vine vigor, so the team let the site look ‘hairy,’ according to winemaker Heidi von der Mehden. This 100% destemmed, whole berry–fermented Pinot Noir was aged ten months in 68% new French oak. Aromas of patchouli and dark plum are heady and deep, and candied grapefruit, black plum, and licorice form a trio of immediately recognized flavors. With a plush and sensual mouthfeel, the wine erupts in an array of earth tones and gentler savory notes of black olive and balsamic.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, June 3, 2021
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Coopersmith has a medium ruby color and fragrant scents of lilac, thyme, cranberry, rhubarb and meaty accents. The medium-bodied palate is firm and fresh, with loads of spicy accents and an uplifted finish.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, Sept. 30, 2021
“Plush and lusciously spiced, with cherry and berry flavors that show plenty of toasty accents. The creamy finish extends with sanguine and sandstone accents.”
Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, July 2021
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Coopersmith offers more kirsch, spice, loamy earth, and a touch of iron in a medium-bodied, savory, complex, attractive style. It’s ready to go yet has enough structure as well as the balance to evolve for 5-7 years.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, June 2022
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Coopersmith is one the more forward wines in the lineup this year. It offers up super-ripe black cherry, mocha, new leather, sweet spice and dried flowers. My impression is that the 2019 will offer its best drinking sooner rather than later, as the first signs of evolution are starting to show.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“The nose shows some beautiful ripe strawberry and guava with cran-cherry, giving this a very high-toned aromatic experience. The palate is fresh and refined with a soft texture. Ripe red fruits mingle with minerals, baking spices and suggestions of salty soils on the palate. This is seriously good and very pretty even in its youth.”
Cathrine Todd, July 2021
“Pretty spice, cinnamon stick and added complexity of forest floor with a linear drive on the palate highlighted by black currant fruit and tree bark finishing with finely delineated tannins.”
Isaac Baker, Terroirist.com, July 2021
“Deep ruby color. On the nose, this shows a nice mix of deep black cherries, ripe summer plums, cranberry relish, along with light roast coffee and herbal tea component, with savory spices mixed in, too. Medium/full-bodied with smooth tannins and vibrant, fresh acidity. Tangy blackberries, plums and cherries, darker, deeper fruit, but it maintains a tart edge. Roasted chestnut, toffee, violets, cigar box and some mineral undertones elevate the finish. Definitely one to cellar for at least a few years.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, August 2020
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Coopersmith is a dense, powerful wine. Black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol, licorice and graphite infuse the 2018 with tremendous richness and pure density. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s natural resonance and virile intensity.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2020
“Creamy with high-toned, underlying acidity, this wine is well structured and weighty. Rich layers of strawberry and cranberry highlight a core of concentrated tannin and oak, with underlying complements of baking spice and cola.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, Feb. 28, 2021
“Elegant and rich tasting, with a dense core of dark currant and plum tart flavors that are well-structured. Intense forest floor accents on a finish that is filled with cooking spice notes.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, August 2020
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Coopersmith has a nose of dried cherries and baked blackberries with touches of cinnamon stick, charcuterie, licorice and earth. The medium-bodied palate is grainy and fresh, and it fleshes out to appealing spicy nuances on the long finish.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2019
“Perfumed aromas of rose and lavender lead the nose of this wine. It shows ample power, density and structure, with flavors of chocolate-covered strawberry and cherry that are cradled with toasted oak.”
Anthony Dias Blue, Blue Lifestyle, May 2019
“Deep ruby color; silky texture and smooth flavors of cherry plus a note of vanilla; tangy, but lush and savory.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wines, November 2019
“At this point impressing far more for its substance and size than it does for any evident finesse, this very deep, well-extracted youngster is lavishly appointed with fully ripe blackberry fruit and makes up in sheer richness for what it presently lacks in refinement. It has lots of flesh on its ample structural bones, and, as it is uncommonly energetic and long on stamina for the weighty and mouth-filling wine that it is, it comes with great expectations for a long life. Look for it to gain in polish over the next four or five years, and expect it to be in very fine shape a full decade out.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2018
“Velvety smooth in feel and resplendent in a rose petal aroma, this is a lovely, full-bodied wine with depth and concentration. Deftly defined layers of dark cherry and tangerine shine bright, allowing for a refreshing complement to the wine’s overall depth and power.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Aug. 21, 2018
“Coopersmith has long been one of Merry Edwards’ top vineyards and the 2016 embodies everything that makes that so. With impressive complexity of black cherry, blackberry, raspberry and spice, this richly layered Pinot Noir shows a rare combination of power and elegance, with a subtle touch of oak that enhances the package without overwhelming the fruit. This is a cellar-worthy Pinot that should evolve nicely over the next decade, though very drinkable now.”
Cathrine Todd, Forbes.com, May 23, 2019
“This is a one-coop wine that only uses François Frères barrels. A deliciously decadent nose with cocoa dust and espresso with hints of star anise that displayed wild morels on the palate and black cherry pie that had finely sculpted tannins with a juicy finish.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, April 2018
“The 2015 Pinot Noir Coopersmith is medium to deep ruby-purple colored and scented of wild blueberries, black raspberries and forest floor with touches of rose hips, oolong tea and fungi. The palate is medium to full-bodied with taut, muscular fruit and a firm, grainy frame, finishing long and earthy.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 9, 2018
“Merry’s Coopersmith shows a floral nose that is seductive and inviting, leading to a richly layered, firmly textured palate that suggests this vintage will be best held in the cellar for another two to three years. Powerful and complex, showing dark fruits and ample wood spice, the Coopersmith is drinkable now but will be so much more enjoyable after a little bit of time. I suggest decanting this wine if you serve it within the next year. The aeration will not only soften the palate, but bring up remarkably complex aromas that are somewhat muted at this stage.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, March 2018
“Rose, hibiscus and pistachio mark the aromatic profile of this hearty, well-made wine, dipping into juicy, succulent and bright layers of blueberry and black cherry. A round rich tannin structure provides a welcome fleshiness, with a backbone of acidity.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, April 28, 2017
“Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir Coopersmith has a little rubbery reduction to begin, which soon blows off to reveal fragrant raspberry preserves, kirsch and black cherry scents with hints of violets, anise and mossy bark. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers packed black berry and earthy flavors with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and refreshing acid, finishing with a perfumed lift.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, January 2017
“Built around rich, dense, blackberry and wild berry notes. Pure and dark, supported by firm, fine-grained tannins that give the flavors traction and dimension.”
Robert Whitley, winereviewonline.com, December 2015
“Merry’s 2013 Coopersmith is another stunning example of her ability to take what the vineyard gives and let it shine. This vintage is equal parts power and elegance, showing finesse that belies its youth. Showing gorgeous raspberry and red currant fruit with firm acidity and fine tannins, plus a stony minerality that provides another layer of intrigue, the 2013 Coopersmith is a wine for now or later, though later I suspect it will be even more beguiling.”
Robert Whitley, Nov. 11, 2014
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, March 2014
“What’s so wonderful about this Pinot is the way it reconciles all sorts of opposites. It’s dry but sweet in fruit, and delicate yet potent at the same time. It’s totally accessible now, but enormously complex. Flavors of raspberries and cherries meld with pomegranates and persimmons, as well as mushrooms, tea and licorice. It’s a joy to drink now, and should develop in the cellar for at least 10 years.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, March 2013
“Merry Edwards’ signature of exceptional deliciousness and drinkability, coupled with seemingly neverending depth. Made using fruit sourced from the winery’s vineyard in the cooler southwestern part of the valley, near Sebastopol, this is rich in acids and soft tannins, but the flavors set it apart. Notes of raspberry, cherry, cola, tea, licorice, pepper and sandalwood abound and evolve with every sip.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, March 2013
“This very complex vintage from Merry’s Coopersmith vineyard pulls you in with an inviting forest floor aroma on the nose, followed by layers of red and black fruit on the palate, with earthy nuances and a pleasant hint of vanilla spice on the back end. It is beautifully balanced, combining the opulence of ripe fruit with firm structure and a touch of minerality. It is a superb example of Russian River Valley pinot noir at the top of its game.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator Insider, July 27, 2011
“This firm, ripe Pinot features blackberry, black licorice, mineral, berry jam and floral scents, leading to a full body. Well-structured, ending with tight, minerally edge.”
Wine Enthusiast
Kenswineguide.com, Feb. 16, 2011
“This very dark ruby colored Pinot from Merry Edwards is consistently one of my favorites from her portfolio each year. This year the Coopersmith delivers again. It opens with an attractive boysenberry bouquet with hints of musty oak and blueberry. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and savory. The flavor profile is a very tasty mild black raspberry with some gently integrated smoky oak. The finish is dry and its mild fine tannins are pleasant and linger slightly.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator “Hot Wines,” March 10, 2010
“Strikes a wonderful balance between delicacy, finesse and subtle rich earthy flavors, serving up a mix of loamy cherry and berry, mineral and forest floor … (with) a long finish.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, Feb. 16, 2009
“Shows firm, vibrant and complex aromas of mineral, raspberry, black cherry and plum. Medium- to full-bodied, concentrated and detailed, ending with fine-grained tannins.”
Robert Whitley, whitleyonwine.com
“The purity of fruit—ripe, rich raspberry and blueberry—coupled with weight and richness in the mouth set this pinot noir apart. It’s a blockbuster, showing a depth and layered complexity that are usually only seen at this stage (while the wine is so young) in slightly sweeter pinot noirs that push the envelope on alcohol level. Yep, this is a powerful pinot noir, on the order of a grand cru burgundy from a good vintage, with exceptional length and very, very good balance.”
Community Tasting. Cellartracker.com, Dec. 11, 2008
Dach Pinot Noir
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com, July 2024
“The wine is a ripe ruby/magenta color and is aromatic, with a lovely balance of floral and herbal notes, including crushed roses, red berries, mountain herbs, and pretty, sweet spice. It’s medium-bodied on the palate and retains its lovely, fresh, even acidity throughout. It has a bit more of a linear feel, with fine tannins and a clean finish. It also has a bit more focus in its structure, which I’m particularly fond of.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, June 2024
“A juicy, fruit-filled version, displaying friendly notes of cherry and boysenberry coulis mixed with flashes of anise, black tea and singed vanilla. Offers a toasty backdrop, but the freshness is there.”
Cathrine Todd, June 1, 2024
“Alluring wine with aromas of sweet tobacco leaf, dried red cranberries and pine needles with bright rhubarb flavors with an added zing of mandarin orange peel.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel Magazine, Sept. 2023
“This is the first site for Merry Edwards Pinot in the Anderson Valley. The certified organic and Biodynamic Dach Vineyard (pronounced “Dash”) is the flagship site for sister winery Domaine Anderson, located near the cool and foggy Mendocino coast. Opening notes of penny royale, wet leaves, cherry liqueur, and plum bitters are poignant. A chalky mid-palate denotes a mineral component and as it opens up, the taste of soil and dried lavender persists on the finish.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, Nov. 2023
“Blue berries, strawberries and violets followed by crushed cherry tomatoes, kola nuts and vanilla beans with underlying notes of rhubarb and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied, firm yet juicy tannins with soft acidity. Beautifully refined and polished yet it shows a touch of fascinating zestiness to it. Some new oak coming through. Needs time to soften.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, May 2024
“The 2021 Pinot Noir Dach, from Anderson Valley, is a new wine in this range. Crushed flowers and lifted spice notes open the aromatics beautifully. Dark and pliant on the palate, with good depth, the Anderson Valley Pinot offers an attractive mix of forward, lush dark fruit and vibrant underpinnings that provide an attractive counterpoint.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits, Spring 2024
“From a certified-organic vineyard farmed by sister-winery Domaine Anderson, this has the generosity of the California sun in its sweet strawberry flavors while still holding some tension. Solidly built, it shows its youth with oak lasting at the end.”
Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 2023
“This bigger, bolder expression of Pinot Noir immediately engages the senses with notes of roses, violets, black cherry and vanilla. The palate incorporates a rustic tannic texture alongside a confident dose of acidity and generous alcohol, bringing forth additional notes of black plum, baking spice and toasted wood.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, June 2023
“A frankly ripe, fruit-driven style, with a core of intense plum and boysenberry fruit compressed with light anise and hibiscus notes, all on a singed apple wood frame. This has the energy to support the flavors, if it can unwind through the toast.”
Flax Vineyard Pinot Noir
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, Jan/Feb 2021
“With the Pommard clone planted on gravelly loam in this warmer, northern end of the Russian River Valley, this Pinot Noir exhibits chalky tannins and bright cherry, with a sense of sweet beets, root bitters, pomegranate, and orange peel. Exciting mouthfeel, energetic and spiced.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, May 2021
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Flax Vineyard shows a more red-toned profile than the other Pinots in the range. Cedar, iron, dried herbs, anise and leather add an attractive upper register. This mid-weight, expressive Pinot offers terrific persistence and long, clean finish.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 2020
“This vineyard-designate is tart and rich in crunchy red fruit, the body, which is full and fleshy on the palate, is rendered in an opulent style. Toasted oak and supple tannin add to the weight, breadth and complexity of the wine.”
Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2019
“From 100% Pommard clone vines, the 2017 Pinot Noir Flax Vineyard is medium ruby-purple in color and coiled on the nose, slowly giving way to raspberries, strawberries and red cherries with accents of aniseed, amaro, lilac and tangerine. It’s medium-bodied and silky with bitters-laced berry fruits, framed by lightly chalky tannins and finishing very long and fresh. This is approachable now but merits a bit more time in bottle.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, May 2020
“A spicy style, with ripeness to the dark cherry, blackberry tart and dark currant flavors, matched to forest floor accents. Slate and graphite overtones show on the finish, revealing firm tannins.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, Dec. 11, 2018
“In terms of density, Merry Edwards 2016 Pinot Noir from the Flax Vineyard falls in between that of the one from the Sonoma Coast and the Klopp Ranch. It delivers a wonderfully complex combination of red fruit flavors, spice and herbs. The structure — tannins and acid — are there, but not intrusive. Indeed, the acidity imparts liveliness. Like all of her wines, its grandeur becomes even more apparent in the finish. Expressive now, especially after an hour in the glass, I suspect it will be more dazzling in another year or two.”
Peg Melnik, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Jan. 9, 2018
“An elegant pinot that’s extremely well crafted; it has great complexity and depth. Notes of cherry, black raspberry, brioche and cracked black pepper. It has firm tannins, yet manages to have a supple texture. Bravo.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, March 2018
“Baking spice and baked plum highlight a juicy, velvety explosion of sultry fruit in this well-made, full-bodied wine. Toasted oak wraps around hints of pine forest and mushroom, with a layering of dried herb and a tart rhubarb-kissed finish.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 9, 2018
“Merry’s vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs are limited production by definition but Flax Vineyard is more limited than most, so hurry on down to your favorite wine merchant. This vintage is dense and concentrated, showing aromas of rhubarb and black cherry with a slightly leafy character. The oak regimen provides a judicious touch of wood spice but lets the grapes do most of the talking. The tannins are moderate and nicely integrated. Drinkable now, but will improve with two to three years of bottle age.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 2017
“From a Westside Road-adjacent vineyard in the heart of the northern Middle Reach, Flax is rocky and the vines a decade old. Expect luxurious power and a velvety mouthfeel from this wine, its black tea, pomegranate and rhubarb flavors brushed with allspice, sage and cola.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, Jan. 24, 2017
“The Flax Vineyard bottling bombards the palette — in a very nice way — with lovely aromatics and juicy dark red fruit. It speaks directly to you. Savory elements appear, almost reluctantly, but then persist through a long finish. Similar to her other Pinot Noirs, the tannins are suave giving the wine a velvety texture.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, May 10, 2016
The 2013 Flax Vineyard pinot is quintessential Merry Edwards: Big, bold, meaty and delicious. Merry has a knack for making rich pinot without losing the essential elegance that makes it so charming and seductive. The Flax from this excellent vintage offers notes of earthy forest floor, notes of black and red fruits and spice, coupled with abundant tannins that will prolong the life of this wine for up to ten years or more.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, July 2016
“This is a Westside Road site known for its rocky soils, and the wine presents sassafras, cherry-berry and roses on the entry before laying down a tightly woven mix of sour, salty cranberry and blood orange. It is softly voluptuous and velvety, though young, with a biting chewiness that should mellow in the cellar. Drink now through 2028.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, July 2015
“The bouquet of this earthy, aromatic vineyard-designate wine is bursting with freshly picked wildflowers and earth. The palate is mouthwatering in blueberry, strawberry and a bite of sour cherry. Lively acidity keeps the proceedings on a hair-raising ride, before diving headfirst into a long finish of bacon and dark chocolate.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, June 2014
“Dry and tough in tannins, this is a great wine that needs aging. The vineyard is in the warmer Westside Road part of the valley, but the chilly vintage nonetheless dominates, giving the wine hard tannins that accentuate its dryness and acidity. Waiting until at least 2022 should allow the sweet plum, cherry and mulberry fruit flavors to emerge. It could still be rocking and rolling in 2029. Cellar Selection”
Anthony Dias Blue, The Tasting Panel, March 2013
“Bright black cherry and spice with juicy, racy flavors and good depth; tangy, long and intense; balanced and vibrant.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, May 2012
“A distinguished Pinot Noir, notable for its pure, refined structure. Although it’s entirely dry, the cherry, licorice and pomegranate flavors are so rich, the wine tastes sweet. The earthiness of the soil shows up in a taste of sautéed wild mushrooms, splashed with balsamic. A brilliant wine, capable of aging for a decade.”
Wine Enthusiast magazine, August 2011
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, June 2010
“Lively, still nascent aromas of black cherry and wild flowers are enhanced by background notes of creamy oak and lightly spicy notes. Full and finely balanced on the palate with acidity that adds a bracing note to its flavors, this one joins its peers in offering fine promise for future beauty.”
Edward Deitch , Vint-ed, Jan. 29, 2010
“For more than three decades, Merry Edwards has been making a range of small-production pinot noirs from various appellations in California’s Sonoma County. The 2006 Russian River Valley Flax Vineyard Pinot Noir is one of the best Merry Edwards wines I have tasted. This ruby-colored wine is all elegance, made in a style that eschews the over-the-top, massive-fruit style that has come to define too many California pinot noirs in recent years.”
Georganne Vineyard Pinot Noir
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com, July 2024
“Coming from the warmest site on Westside Road, within the Russian River Valley, the ripe 2022 Pinot Noir Georganne pours a deeper magenta color and has a very pleasing floral and graphite nose, with notes of violets, crushed black raspberries, and sweet herbs. Medium to full-bodied, it expands through the palate but remains weightless, with ripe tannins and a long finish. It’s harmonious and will offer a lot of pleasure now or over the next 8-10 years.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, June 2024
“A bold, assertive style, with a burst of black cherry and boysenberry compote notes framed by toast and backed by juicy energy through the violet- and apple wood–tinged finish. A subtle mineral hint peeks in at the very end. Modest cellaring is needed to let this unwind. Best from 2025 through 2032.”
Cathrine Todd, June 1, 2024
“A gorgeous bombshell of a wine that stops everyone in their tracks with chocolate covered cherries and smoldering earth aromas with dark-cherry coffee cake lifted by notes of blood orange granita with a lush body.”
Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 2023
“Densely concentrated black fruits take a ride on well-integrated tannins and good acid balance in this full-bodied, spicy and delicious wine. The grippy and mouthwatering texture beautifully lifts the fresh red and black cherries, black currants and oak-spice notes on the palate.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, Nov. 2023
“The red fruits pop out with cherries and plums as well as oranges. Some toasted nut. Just a hint of jam. Full and flavorful but then it becomes very fresh and citrus. Contrasty. Wild.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel Magazine, July 2023
“This vineyard, overlooking the Russian River, was planted by Merry in 2006 with her own UC Davis 37 Pinot Noir clone. With its pure satin mouthfeel and bold carmine-black hue, dark cherry lines the palate, amped by rich coffee notes. Juicy to the point of near hedonism, its seductive path is fresh and ripe, with plum skin, balsamic, and sandalwood highlighting the finish.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, June 2023
“Solidly built, with good juicy energy to the mix of red cherry, raspberry and mulberry fruit, while hints of steeped tea, anise and hibiscus fill in the background. Shows a slightly firm, toasty edge, but with ample fruit and good drive to wait it out.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“Robust dark fruit, oak and tannin combine in a concentrated tour de force of rich and brawny flavor in this well-made, complex wine. Rose petal accents provide a pretty contrast to the power and impressive structure.”
Meridith May, Somm Journal, August/September 2021
“From the nose of balsamic and clove-spiced plum, you can tell there’s a big personality here. Chocolate and anise coat the tongue. Sandalwood, dried violets, and bergamot are tangled in a brandied-cherry base. Black olive and crushed stone come in on the finish.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, June 3, 2021
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Georganne Vineyard has a medium ruby color and dense red and black fruits on the nose, with hints of graphite, charcuterie and potpourri. Medium-bodied, the palate is mineral driven, broody and dense with a silky texture and long, mineral-driven finish. This could use another year or two in bottle.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator Insider, June 2, 2021
“This refined red is filled with ripe cherry and currant flavors that show pastry accents, with hints of white pepper midpalate. Ends with silky tannins on the lightly creamy finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, July 2021
“Coming from an estate vineyard in the Russian River, the 2019 Pinot Noir Georganne reveals a medium ruby hue as well as darker cherry and redcurrants fruit, notes of forest floor and damp earth, medium body, ripe, present tannins, and a great finish. The balance is spot on, and while it’s drinking beautifully today, I see no reason it won’t continue evolving for another 7-8 years.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, June 2022
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Georganne is laced with crushed red berry, cinnamon and sweet floral top notes. Gracious and inviting, the 2019 will drink well with minimal cellaring. All the elements are so well balanced in this elegant Pinot from Merry Edwards.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“Sourced from this estate vineyard in the northern part of Russian River Valley, adjacent to Rochioli and Williams Selyem, this is entirely planted to Merry Edwards clone Pinot Noir. The palate is very silky and elegant, yet has a wonderful sense of damp earth with peat moss undercurrents alongside the bright core of pomegranate seed, gran-orange and cigar ash tones. This is a vivid, highly novel expression of Pinot Noir.”
Peg Melnik, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Jan. 12, 2022
“A full-bodied pinot noir with concentrated, tangy red fruit and firm tannins. It’s a touch earthy, but what’s most charming is its intensity and its lingering finish. Well-crafted.”
Cathrine Todd, July 2021
“Big, dark and earthy with intense minerality on the nose and a fun mixture of boysenberry fruit and cumin spice with a savory tobacco note that has plenty of warm fruit to balance and finishes with a hint of dried sage.”
Isaac Baker, Terroirist.com, July 2021
“Light ruby color. A bright and elegant display on the nose of raspberries and red apple peel, rose petals, violets, with some cola, herbal tea and light roast coffee. Velvety, fresh and crisp on the palate, with delightful balance. The raspberry and chilled cherry fruit is delicious and fresh, mixed with notes of oregano, black tea, some clay and mushroom tones. Really exciting stuff that should do well with a few years in the cellar.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, August 2020
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Georganne is one of the more nuanced wines in this range. There is plenty of Russian River exuberance, but the Georganne has a feeling of translucence that really distinguishes it in this range. Readers who find some of these wines too fruity will want to check out the Georganne.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2020
“Textured, tangy and tart in wild-berry flavor, this wine is powerfully concentrated, full bodied and expansive, the tannins supple and supportive of the rich, dense fruit. Secondary characteristics of violet, rose and earthy black tea give it additional intrigue and beauty.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, August 2020
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Georganne Vineyard has slowly opening scents of cranberry sauce and crushed red berry fruit with notes of tangerine, floral perfume, earth and amaro. The medium-bodied palate is silky and fresh with spicy fruits and a long, bright finish.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits magazine, April 2021
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2019
“From a bench land site on a western slope of Westside Road, this wine is gorgeously aromatic in rose, lavender and cherry blossom. Bright acidity enlivens exotic spice notes of cardamom, anise and dark chocolate on the palate, alongside a grippy texture and rich red-cherry fruit. The oak is well integrated and in the background. This will do well in the cellar.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, August 2019
“Powerfully structured, with good cut to the dark currant, dried raspberry and dark plum flavors, revealing accents of licorice and tar. Floral hints emerge midpalate, presenting a long, sanguine and firmly tannic finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, June 2019
“The 2017 Pinot Noir Georganne is the smallest production, and it has a smoky, savory style in its mulled red and blue fruits, graphite, earth, and underbrush aromas. It’s another medium-bodied, firm, focused effort that’s going to benefit from a year or two of bottle age.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, April 30, 2019
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Georganne Vineyard is medium to deep ruby-purple with a youthfully shy nose of black cherry, black plum, blueberry pie, earth and toasted coconut. Medium-bodied, it has lots of concentrated spiced fruits with very fine, grainy tannins and good freshness. Give this a couple more years in bottle.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, Aug. 31, 2018
“Tight and concentrated, this muscles past some chewy tannins and brings them along, as the core of zesty raspberry and blackberry flavors is compelling.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Aug. 21, 2018
“The deeply colored Georganne Pinot Noir makes a powerful statement, showing impressive depth with complex dark-fruit aroma, an earthy, savory side and a touch of wood spice. The richness and depth are typical of a Merry Edwards Pinot, and so is the elegance and balance. It’s a neat trick and Merry Edwards has mastered it.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 9, 2018
“While Merry’s Georganne Vineyard Pinot Noir lacks the edginess of some of her other vineyard-designate Pinot, it makes up for it with finesse. This is the smoothest of Merry’s many Pinot Noirs. It shows luscious ripe cherry fruit with supple tannins that make for a creamy texture that is unique for a young Merry Edwards Pinot. Stunning now, stunning later, so drink up whenever the urge for a luxurious Pinot strikes.”
Nicholas Ponomareff, California Grapevine, January 2018
“Medium to medium-dark ruby; initially restrained, black cherry and black raspberry fruit aroma with hints of forest floor and cola; medium-full body; deep, earthy, textured, cherry and red berry fruit flavors; medium to mediumfull tannin; lingering aftertaste. Opened and developed with airing to show appealing fruit, though best to bottle age for several more years. Very highly recommended.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2017
“Planted in 2006, this vineyard is one of the newer sites for the “Queen of Pinot,” who coaxes a strong-willed, high-strung complement of charcuterie and wild lavender from its vines. Bright red currant and raspberry are met by floral, herbal competition, which vies for attention on the palate, girded by strong tannins and mellow oak.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, Jan. 24, 2017
“Merry Edwards’ Georganne bottling has more apparent tannic structure compared to her others from 2014. It’s more brooding at this stage without the same velvety glossiness. That said, there is an appealing earthy, savory aspect that grows on you as the wine sits in the glass. On day two of tasting, it’s still the most structured wine in this lineup, but not in an offensive way. It just needs a few extra years of cellaring. This is an excellent young Pinot Noir. Cellar it while you enjoy some of Merry Edwards’ other bottlings.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2016
“Rustic earth and the aromatic sparks of a rose garden open this wine. Tight, youthful tannins hover around chocolate, strawberry and blackberry notes, resulting in a velvety texture on the expansive palate. It finishes quietly and confidently, eager to develop further in bottle; enjoy through 2023.”
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, March 2016
“The 2013 Pinot Noir Georganne Vineyard comes from a vineyard on Westside Road and is planted with Merry Edward’s favorite clone of Pinot Noir, UCD 37. Slightly more earthy and large-boned than her other cuvées, the wine is tannic, firm and Pommard-like in its masculinity muscle. There is a lot going on, with plenty of black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, underlying earthiness and spice. Forget this for several years and drink it over the following 15 years. This could be her Pommard Premier Cru from the Russian River.”
Quarterly Review of Wines, “32nd Annual Best of the Best,” December 2014
“Big, deep, rich, authoritative, black fruit and nutmeg flavors.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, May 2015
“While all the Merry Edwards 2012 are quite opulent, the 2012 Pinot Noir Georganne is one of the more restrained wines in the range, as the expression of fruit and overall structure are a bit more persistent than in some of the other wines. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, rose petal and spice are woven together in a relatively delicate, feminine Pinot that nevertheless offers plenty of Russian River generosity.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, November 2013
“With remarkable purity of fruit, this is another brilliant effort from Merry Edwards, the queen of California Pinot Noir. On the nose there is a whiff of violet, and subtle earthiness. On the palate the wine unfolds elegantly, showing layers of raspberry and blueberry fruit, the scent of mocha, and a hint of spice. On the finish there is real honest-to-goodness grip, which bodes well for the future evolution of this superb example of Russian River Valley Pinot that has obviously benefited from the deft skills of a master artisanal winemaker.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, March 2013
“Shows a certain aggressiveness, offering up vibrant raspberry and cherry fruit, cola, mocha and oak flavors, but kept aloof by its acidity and tannins. It’s certainly elegant and pedigreed, but it needs 3-4 years in the cellar.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator Insider, July 27, 2011
“Dense and rich, with dark berry and road tar notes. A touch rustic with a minerally edge, this full-bodied red ends with a wonderful minerality that touches on chalk and pebble.”
Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir
Meridith May, Somm Journal, August/September 2021
“Klopp Ranch Vineyard’s moderate climate and sandy Goldridge soils serve as the base of this steady, opulent red, aged sur lie for nine months in (69% new) French oak. Earthy with brined cherries, chervil, beetroot, oregano, and celery root, it produces an herb garden of flavors at the start. Along with a good acid structure, its intense finish of cedar and plum and its silky mouthfeel complete the pleasure cycle.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, June 3, 2021
“Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2019 Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch is slow to open on the nose, hinting at notes of aniseed, dried flowers, graphite and black fruits. The palate is medium-bodied, firm and intensely fruited with appealing juicy uplift on the finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, July 2021
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch comes from the classic Goldridge Soils of the Russian River and offers a medium-bodied, elegant, vibrant, and complex style that delivers more red fruits as well as notes of iron, sappy herbs, and underbrush. It’s another beautifully balanced, elegant wine from this estate. It has notable structure and should have a solid 7-8 years of prime drinking, if not longer.”
Joshua Green, Wine & Spirits Magazine, April 2022
“The 2019 has the silken strawberry delicacy of the Pommard clone when it hits its most expressive notes, emboldened here by time in oak, taking on richness and power, but still sustaining grace in its persistent fruit flavors. Finely structured to handle some age, it would ready itself for grilled salmon right now if decanted.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, June 2022
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch is laced with succulent black cherry, spice, menthol, licorice and mocha. Racy and exuberant, yet in the midweight style of the vintage, the Klopp Ranch offers tons of immediacy. Silky tannins wrap it all together nicely.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, Sept. 30, 2021
“Spiced-filled dark fruit and berry flavors show lots of toasty notes, along with creamy richness. Chocolate and brioche accents linger on the ripe, structured finish.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“Salty and spicy this full-bodied red from the famous site, long sourced by the producer, is fruity in dark cherry, boysenberry and baked strawberry flavor. The tannins are supportive and well-integrated, as is the toasted oak, which underscores the combination of sweet spice tones.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“I have long admired these wines from the ‘Klopp Ranch’ that was planted back in 1989. … The nose shows insanely good range from Mandarin orange zest to teaberry and red currants alongside peat moss tones. The palate is soft, elegant and exceedingly refined, as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. Gorgeous in its youth, this will deliver drinking enjoyment for the next fifteen plus years.”
Cathrine Todd, July 2021
“Rich and bright with dried flowers and star anise on the nose with bright juicy blackberry fruit that is broad but then becomes focused with slightly tight tannins on the finish that open after a couple hours of decanting.”
Isaac Baker, Terroirist.com, July 2021
“A solid core of ruby. The aromas are so fresh, with ripe cherries, pomegranate, strawberry, backed up by pepper, roses, warm clay, rhubarb, and a lot of floral depth with air. On the palate, this is silky but structured, with zesty acid, great balance, and a deep but tangy mix of cherry, pomegranate and raspberry fruit. Elements of thyme, pepper, dried rose petals, clove, dusty earth. The mouthfeel is fantastic, but this needs at least a few years to show its best.”
Michael Franz, Wine Review Online, Aug. 17, 2021
“The Merry Edwards wines are now being made by Heidi von der Mehden, who had to fill some of the biggest shoes in all of American winemaking when Merry herself stepped away from that role. It must be said that quality has not slipped at all, and this single vineyard Pinot (which I have tasted over at least the previous 15 vintages) is as delicious as any I can remember. Impressively concentrated but still fairly light on its feet, it shows delicious black cherry and berry fruit with nice spice notes and just a whiff of toasty oak, as all the overt wood notes have already been absorbed by the rich fruit. Consequently, this is already delicious, but the track record of this vineyard’s fruit from this cellar indicates that this will be significantly more complex in 5 years, and better still in 10. I know that last sentence won’t make your consumption decision any easier, but the decision of whether to buy this in the first place could hardly be easier.”
Ken’s Wine Guide, Oct. 7, 2021
“This midnight purple colored Pinot Noir from Merry Edwards is Excellent. It opens with a fragrant black raspberry and rhubarb bouquet with a hint of cola. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with medium acidity. It is also round, viscous and fruit forward. Those fruit flavors are ripe black raspberries … with notes of clove, rhubarb, and black pepper. I also detected hints of red licorice and a touch of vanilla-cola in the aftertaste. The finish is dry, and its flavors and well-managed fine tannins linger nicely.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, July/August 2020
“The fruit for this wine comes from the oldest blocks on this renowned site on sandy, Goldridge soil, blending Pommard and Swan clones. The earth-laden nose is rich with blueberries and brown-sugared plums. Perfumed lavender, sweet lush cherries and savory herbs define the exotic attributes of this red.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2020
“Forest, clove, oak and thick tannin make for a hearty entry into this perennially impressive vineyard-designate—one of the producer’s earliest partnerships. Weighty and powerful, it offers forest floor, tea and wild strawberry, the acidity lasting and lively.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, Feb. 28, 2021
“Svelte and fine-edged, with savory richness to the well-structured dark cherry, plum and dark currant flavors. Dense finish is filled with forest floor notes.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, October 2020
“One of the most complex Pinot Noirs produced by Merry Edwards, the Klopp Ranch exhibits exceptional depth and palate weight, showing intense black cherry and plum aromas, a touch of earthy forest floor and fall spices supported by firm tannins that will give this superb Pinot life beyond the here and now.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, August 2020
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch is a racy wine. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, cola, spice and blood orange all open up nicely in the glass. There is plenty of Russian River exuberance. The finish is a bit tight, but otherwise, this is very nicely done.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, August 2020
“Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch offers aromas of cranberries, rhubarb and blackberries with notes of earth, tar and woodsmoke. The medium-bodied palate has pretty, earth-laced fruits with a grainy frame and uncomplicated finish. This feels youthfully mute and may open up with some more time in bottle.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, June 2020
“Here is the mix of potency, latency and depth that makes Pinot such a great wine. Its aromas of plump black cherries, augmented by toasty oak, fairly leap out of the glass in a deeply fruity, ripe yet beautifully balanced way, and the same winsome proportions and characteristics follow suit across the palate. Supple at the front and firmed by youthful tannin at the finish, and long-finishing despite its slight bit of ageworthy gruffness, this wine could reward tonight but should, in our view, be left in the cellar.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits magazine, April 2021
“It’s a big pinot noir saturated with red cherry and blackberry flavors, equal to the potent tannins.”
Isaac Baker, The Terroirist, June 2020
“Light purple color. The nose boasts black cherries, raspberries, with cola, sweet violets, tilled soil, rhubarb and mint leaves. Full and suave on the palate with velvety tannins and medium acidity, this sports pretty balance and juicy black cherries, plums and blood orange. Complex notes of chestnut, clove, clay, earth, with cola and vanilla tones. Deep, rich, yet vibrant, this will do well with a few years of age.”
Rich Cook, Wine Review Online, October 2020
“The Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir is always a favorite of mine from Merry Edwards’ portfolio, and it again delivers what it’s known for — vibrant damp and dry earth tones over rich black cherry and raspberry fruit, structuring acidity, a bit of tannic grip and a fair dose of toasted oak the serves to deepen all the flavors. Give it a good decanting near term, or age it up to ten years.”
Ken’s Wine Guide, September 2020
“This dark ruby colored Pinot Noir from the Klopp Ranch opens with a fragrant black raspberry bouquet with hints of Good n’ Plenty and cola. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and savory. The flavor profile is a mineral infused red plum with notes of light oak and black cherry. We also detected hints of black pepper, herbs de Provence and black licorice. The finish is dry and its flavors and mild dusty tannins drift away nicely.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, February 2021
“The floral 2018 Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir displays a gorgeous, layered complexity, with minerality and dark fruitiness intertwined. It conveys far more mineral-like nuances than the Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot, reflecting the focus of a single vineyard. Hefty intensity without being over the top coupled with suave tannins and an engaging bitterness in the finish make it hard to resist now.”
Fredric Koeppel, BiggerThanYourHead.net, April 2021
“The operative word for the Merry Edwards Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir 2018, Russian River Valley, is ‘elemental.’ The color is dark ruby, and, in fact, ‘dark’ is another operative word for this spice-laden, solid and robust pinot noir; macerated currants and plums seem infused with hints of sandalwood, licorice and just a hint of violets, while damp loam and shadowy forest qualities dominate from mid-palate through the finish.”
Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2019
“It’s medium ruby-purple in the glass and has a fragrant nose of warm cinnamon, mushrooms, moss-covered bark, rhubarb and red and black berries with notions of lilac and tangerine peel. It’s medium-bodied, silky and loaded with perfumed fruit layers, with a frame of chocolate-textured tannins and juicy acidity begging you to take another sip, finishing very long and very layered.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2020
“Wild in pomegranate, strawberry and brambly blackberry, this longstanding vineyard-designate is deep and rich, with a density of earthiness. Thick tannins support the fruit and building elements of dried herb and lavender, allowing room for the acidity to balance its overall luxury.”
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, May 2020
“It has a smoky, ripe bouquet of mulled black fruits, licorice, roasted herbs, and chocolate, with more floral and sappy notes developing with time in the glass. It also gains freshness and vibrancy with air and is medium to full-bodied, with a deep, layered mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This sexy, seamless, classic Russian River Pinot Noir has loads to love. It needs a decant if drinking any time soon and should evolve nicely for 8-10 years with no issues.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 9, 2018
“Olivet Lane is Merry’s signature Pinot and the reason she is the Queen of California Pinot Noir. The 2015 is a powerful wine with broad shoulders and layered richness. The most darkly fruited of all her Pinots, this Olivet Lane is built for the long haul. Its core is concentrated dark cherry deliciousness. There is an earthy note and plenty of wood spice, with a touch of mocha lurking in the background. One of Merry’s best from her signature Pinot Noir vineyard. While drinkable now, I would prefer to lay it down and wait another three to five years before serving. This remarkable wine will only improve with additional bottle age.”
Nicholas Ponomareff, California Grapevine, January 2018
“Medium ruby; attractive, forward, deep, ripe, cherry and raspberry fruit aroma with hints of clove, cardamom, cola, and forest floor; medium-full body; layered, red fruit flavors with a rich, textured mouthfeel; medium to medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Will benefit from a few more years of aging. Very highly recommended.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 9, 2018
“Merry’s 2015 Klopp Ranch offers a seductive floral perfume on the nose, leading to leading to a richly layered palate of blueberry and black cherry with a touch of oak vanillin and fall spices. The tannins are relatively modest, making for immediate enjoyment. That said, this is a beautifully structured and well-balanced Pinot Noir that will deliver pleasure for several years to come.”
Nicholas Ponomareff, California Grapevine, January 2018
“Medium to medium-dark ruby; intense, deep, cherry, pomegranate, and black raspberry fruit aroma with earthy notes and hints of cocoa powder and baking spices; medium-full body; deep, concentrated, red and dark fruit flavors with crisp acidity and a rich, textured mouthfeel; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Impressive now, though will benefit with several more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, Jan. 24, 2017
“Merry Edwards’ Klopp Ranch bottling highlights bright red fruit flavors with less emphasis on the savory component. A succulent wine, it is balanced and pure with an alluring suppleness. It strikes a gorgeous mid ground in terms of intensity. I’m not sure that anyone, even Edwards herself, can explain precisely what it is about the vineyards that results in the different expressions of her wines. But it’s clear that the wines differ one from the other. It’s not a marketing technique. Another unique and riveting Pinot Noir from Merry Edwards!”
Nicholas Ponomareff, California Grapevine, February 2017
“Medium to medium-dark ruby; intense, deep, earthy, plum, black raspberry, and pomegranate aroma with spicy notes and hints of mocha and dried herbs; medium-full body; deep, rich, extracted, savory, red and dark berry fruit flavors with a full, rich, textured mouthfeel; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. A relatively big wine, typical of their style, that’s appealing in its youth, though deserving another three to five more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.”
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, March 2016
“The 2013 Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch is from Goldridge soils, which are favored by many Chardonnay and Pinot winemakers in the Russian River. Typical of her wines, there is terrific color, extraction and a deep ruby/purple color. The wine is broad, flavorful, intense, promising and delicious. Sweet plum, cranberry and black cherry notes moving toward bluer fruits are present in this full-bodied Pinot Noir that shows good acidity and ripe tannin. This is another winner, but its most promising and brightest days are ahead of it. Forget it for several years and drink it over the following 15-20.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Feb. 10, 2015
“Merry’s 2012 Klopp Ranch exhibits a delicate, nuanced side of Pinot. What is most striking about this lovely wine is its bouquet, with the allure of violets predominant. Notes of spice and raspberry and cherry fruit aromas signal the coming sensory experience. On the palate this vintage of Klopp is exquisitely balanced, a seamless beauty that finishes with a lingering note of blueberry and spice. Unlike many of Merry’s Pinots that require additional cellaring to reach optimum maturity, the 2012 Klopp is drinking beautifully now, though I have no doubt it will continue to improve as it evolves over the next five to seven years.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, June 2014
“The vineyard is in the cool, southeastern part of the valley, a region whose Pinots always are dark, dry, tannic and age-worthy. In this cool vintage, this wine is all of the above. Its black sour-cherry-candy flavors have hints of conifer, white tobacco, clove and anise, complex notes that will evolve in interesting ways. The acidity is brisk and mouthwatering, and will help the wine age through 2023, at the least.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, October 2013
“This vineyard has been source to some of the winery’s greatest bottlings. The wine is enormously fruity, with raspberry, cherry and red-plum flavors that flood the palate. But it’s no mere fruit bomb, offering the most wonderful tannin-acid structure and a dryness that keeps the wine stimulating through a long, spicy finish. Drinkable now, but also cellar worthy through 2018, at least.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, May 2012
“Amazingly rich, offering deep, complex layers of cherries, black raspberries, cola, anise biscotti, pomegranates, persimmons, black tea, orange zest, mushrooms, you name it, but don’t forget the spices, everything from cloves and black pepper to cinnamon. Utterly delicious, with a silky, briskly clean mouthfeel. But the tannins are pronounced. They’re not so strong as to lock the wine down, but do suggest time in the cellar. Give it four years, and it could be wonderful after 10 or more.”
Wine Enthusiast magazine, August 2011
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, June 2011
“I confess to a preference for earthy Pinots, so Merry’s latest from Klopp Ranch hit me where I live. It offers exotic aromas of forest floor and dark fruits, with a subtle spice note, and an ever-lengthening palate that will only improve as the tanninc bite on the finish loses its grip with time. Superb and distinctive Pinot from the grande dame of California Pinot Noir.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, June 2010
“It is not that this wine is bigger or bolder than its stablemates. It just seems that way because its generous aromas seemingly jump out of the glass, and the layered quality of those aromas reinforces the notion that this is top-notch Pinot. Its full and supple impressions at entry are followed by ripe, deep and deliciously fruity flavors of sweet red cherries, toasted bread, rich, creamy oak and hints of dried raspberries. Its initial hints of velvet might suggest early drinking, but this is a Pinot with lots and lots of potential for growth.”
Wine Enthusiast, December, 2009
“No. 28 of the Top 100 wines of 2009”
The Pinot File, Jan. 1, 2009
“The grapes are farmed by noted winegrower Ted Klopp in a cool area featuring Goldridge sandy soils. Darkly colored. Welcoming nose of oak-kissed black cherries, earth, tea and cola. Full-bodied and deep dark stone fruits and blueberries are well-integrated with subtle oak and gentle tannins, finishing with some orange peel citric tang.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, May 31, 2007
“Rich black cherry and blackberry fruit and hints of anise and cedar. Finishes with a long, intricate aftertaste.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, March 22, 2006
“The best Pinot I’ve had from this esteemed producer. … Impeccable balance, lively acidity and tremendous fruit complexity.”
Steve Pitcher, Wine News, December/January 2006-07
“(G)reat fruit expression and complexity … the wine just gets better and better.”
Pinot Report, Issue 28
“Bold, silky and full of deep complex flavors.”
San Francisco Chronicle, Dec. 5, 2004
“Big, dark and powerful.”
Wine & Spirits, February 2005
Rated among the top 13 of the Year’s Best Pinot Noirs: “The Klopp Vineyard grew a luxurious pinot in 2001.”
91 points
“Deftly balanced, ripe and richly flavored. … Intense and concentrated, with firm, integrated tannins.” James Laube, Wine Spectator, April 10, 2003
Robb Report, May 2003
“This is the Pinot Noir to satisfy devotees of Cabernet who contend that the former grape packs too little punch. An outstanding single-vineyard Pinot Noir … full-bodied, richly textured and mouthwateringly luscious.”
Food & Wine Magazine, American Wine Awards, October 2002
“(L)ushly textured, fruit-packed wine with a room-filling bouquet.”
Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, May 2021
“The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest is laced with the essence of tangerine peel, crystallized ginger, dried flowers, spice and mint. Beautifully perfumed and light on its feet, the Late Harvest is classy, refreshing and impossible to resist.”
W. Peter Hoyne, Chicago Wine Press, November 2020
“This late harvest wine is the first from the Maefield Vineyard planted by Merry in 2015. The bright pale yellow color is deceiving as this unctuous wine reveals grandiose aromas of apricot blossom, beeswax and caramelized ginger. On the entry, the wine soars from the glass with dried white peach layered with almond paste. As you turn the corner, the wine finishes refreshing with a touch of acidity making it seem like you had an out-of body-experience.”
John Vankat, Arizona Daily Sun, Feb. 3, 2021
“This wonderful, yellow-gold dessert wine is rich, delightfully balanced, lushly textured, engagingly complex and exceedingly long on the finish. An ideal celebratory wine for after dinner sipping.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, May 2018
“This dessert wine was made from a block of the Musqué clone at the producer’s Meredith Estate, picked when they were raisined then fermented and aged in 60% new French oak. A briny green-olive tone dots the nose before the sweetness of caramel, honeycomb, gingersnap and vanilla weighs in on the palate. This is concentrated, lush and creamy, with a bright citrus flourish on the finish.”
Rich Cook, Wine Review Online, Jan. 9, 2018
“There’s a fun “liar” quality to this tasty dessert, in the opposite way that Argentina’s Torrontes is typically caught in a lie. There, the nose leads you to think sweet, but the palate surprises with crisp and dry. Here, Merry Edwards gives you the full morning hayfield on the nose, and surprises with honeyed melon and citrus with a sweetgrass complement on the palate. A true after dinner conversation piece.”
Ronn Weigand, Restaurant Wine, April 2015
“Wonderful late harvest Sauvignon. It is luscious and rich, with intense aromas/flavors (peach, truffle, dried fig, pineapple, honey, pepper, oak), excellent balance, and an extremely persistent finish. Terrific. One of the best of its type I’ve tasted.
Anthony Dias Blue, Tasting Panel magazine: “Blue Reviews,” April 2015
“Smooth and lush with ripe peach and soft hints of oak; polished and rounded with depth, style and balance.”
Peg Melnik, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Dec. 27, 2010
“A striking late harvest sauvignon blanc with a seamless texture. Full-bodied, rich and lively with aromas and flavors of honey, spice and a hint of apricot. Lovely.”
Meredith Estate Pinot Noir
Tom Capo, Wine Enthusiast, October 2024
“This deep-garnet-colored wine is an exercise in enthusiasm. Raspberry, blackberry, cocoa and orange peel aromas on the nose are turned up to eleven, while the saturated palate gives crème de cassis, licorice and fried shiitake flavors for minutes on end. This is Pinot that’s built for steak, lamb or mushroom dishes. Patience will be rewarded here, if you can resist the immediate charm.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, Nov. 2023
“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.”
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com, July 2024
“The flagship wine of the estate, the 2021 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate is a blend of different clones from a vineyard planted in 1998. Its aromas lift with notes of wet stones, blackberries, and fresh sage. Full-bodied, it has refined tannins, although it’s certainly structured. It’s in its youthful baby fat stage, so I would prefer to hold this one for a few years in cellar and check in on it when it’s matured and leans into its more tertiary characteristics. Drink 2026-2040. It hasn’t been certified, but this is their first organic vineyard.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, March 2024
“Now organically farmed, this wine off Meredith Estate is an attention-getting, dynamic red with tropical flowers blooming start to finish. Black cherries gather in a concentrated ‘sauce.’ Sweet and tart notes are accented by a well-placed salinity.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, July 31, 2024
“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.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, May 2024
“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.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2022
“Aromas of ripe red and black fruit, bark and oolong. Full-bodied with bright, berry acidity. Velvety tannins. More fruity than the nose lets on, but it’s savory at its core. Sage and rosemary. Complex, but remains approachable. Tight. Great length. Best after 2025.”
Audrey Frick, Jebdunnuck.com, August 2022
“The 2020 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate is rich with primary fruit and notes of black cherry cola, lavender candy, and pine sap. The structure is full and grounding, with cocoa powder, red plum skin, and cedar spice. Hold this another year or so and drink over the next 15 years.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, Sept. 30, 2022
“Mouthfilling, with ripe and lively boysenberry, plum and linzer torte flavors that bounce off each other, while anise and bramble fill in the available space. Not shy with the fruit, but has the freshness and form for balance.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, July 2022
“Medium ruby-purple, the 2020 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate has aromas of blueberries, black cherry jam, tar, iron, lavender and licorice. The palate is medium-bodied with pleasantly chewy tannins, understated cherry fruit, bright acidity and a long, spicy finish.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, January 2023
“The 2020 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate is a gorgeous wine, especially within the context of this vintage. Succulent dark cherry, new leather, tobacco, spice, menthol and chocolate give the Estate notable exuberance, but, at the same time, the 2020 is not at all overdone. It’s a classic Russian River Pinot to drink now and over the next handful of years.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2022
“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.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“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.”
Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, July 2021
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate offers lots of ripe red and black fruits as well as classic Russian River spice, cola, and brambly herbs. It’s beautiful on the palate, with integrated acidity, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. This thrilling, complete Russian River Pinot Noir will drink well for a solid decade or more, although there’s no need to delay gratification.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, June 2, 2021
“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.”
Meridith May, The Tasting Panel, Jan/Feb 2022
“Aromas of rose and red cherry show against a backdrop of blue fruit with a mocha-mint middle. The depth of this wine’s sumptuous mouthfeel is impressive.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, June 2022
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate is a potent, dark wine. Black cherry, chocolate, licorice, sweet spice and espresso abound. This is an especially lush, oak-driven style, but it all works well together. The Estate is one of the more overt, concentrated wines in this range.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“The dense and powerful 2019 ‘Meredith Estate’ is another outstanding Pinot Noir by the talented Heidi von der Mehden. Cigar box aromas combine with ripe cherry cordial, and red raspberry with dried herbs on the nose. The palate is soft and plush, with serious weight and tension that runs through the core of very pretty red and dark fruits. Highly gratifying in its full-throttle youth, this beautiful wine has another two decades of life ahead of it.”
Isaac James Baker, Terroirist.com, January 2022
“Bright purple color. The nose shows juicy black cherries and tangy strawberries, along with a complex mix of rose petals, tilled soil, black pepper, along with meaty, spicy tones that offer a lot to contemplate. Full but suave on the palate with fresh acidity and smooth, dusty tannins that show accessibility but age-worthiness as well. The red plum and strawberry fruit is fresh and delightful. The savory, earthy, floral tones are great (pepper, oregano, rose petals). A pretty, balanced, mineral-laden wine that will age wonderfully. The flagship bottling, made from the first vines Merry every owned, this is gorgeous.”
Ken’s Wine Guide, Dec. 3, 2021
“This … dark ruby-colored Pinot Noir from Merry Edwards is very good. It opens with a strawberry and loam bouquet with hints of black cherry and orange zest. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with nicely integrated gentle acidity. The mouthfeel is super smooth and refined. The flavor profile is a strawberry and loamy earth blend with notes of black raspberry and stony minerality. The finish is dry, and its refined, gentle tannins and flavors are nicely sustained. This Pinot is very food friendly and would pair with many foods if you do not drink it on its own.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, May 2021
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate is the most complete of the wines in this range. It offers a compelling interplay of aromatics, fruit and structure. All the elements come together so nicely in this ample, vibrant Russian River Pinot. Black cherry, cola, menthol, licorice and lavender build into the substantial finish.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, Jan/Feb 2021
“A combination of scents immediately captivate: raspberry jam, tilled earth and nutmeg. The liquid floats across the palate with cinnamon-charmed cherries and dusty, supple tannins. This is an eye-opener red with lively white-peppered cedar on the luxe finish.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, Feb. 28, 2021
“Powerful and a touch brooding, this is filled with concentrated dark fruit and cooking spice flavors that are supported by firm tannins and acidity. Hints of baker’s chocolate on the savory finish.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits magazine, April 2021
“The cool site (of the Meredith Estate vineyard) takes her bold and powerful pinot-noir style toward luxurious generosity, rich in tannins and juicy blackberry fruit, built for something equally rich, like beef Wellington.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, February 2021
“The youthful 2018 Meredith Estate displays toasty oak flavors but little else initially. However, befitting a youthful, tightly wound wine, its considerable charms emerge over time. Denser and more concentrated than the other two, it remains balanced and within bounds. Under the new team, Merry Edwards continues to avoid the overdone, “Pinot Syrah” style. Similar to their other 2018s, its grandeur is apparent in an intriguing dark cherry-like hint of bitterness in the exceptionally long finish. The 2018 Meredith Estate Pinot needs a few years to come together, as I’m sure it will, judging from my experience with previous vintages.”
W. Peter Hoyne, Chicago Wine Press, November 2020
“Floral notes of rose petals and purple violets reveal a rich and exotically structured Pinot Noir. There are savory notes of earth and minerality woven between complex layers of warm, mixed black fruits and ripe tannins. It is laced with a hint of dark cocoa and freshness at the end. The finish is long and youthful, rewarding those that are patient.”
Nick Ponomareff, California Grapevine, December 2020
“Medium ruby; deep, ripe, spicy, dark cherry and blackberry aroma with herbal notes and hints of cinnamon and forest floor; medium-full body; tight, textured, red and dark fruit flavors with good acid balance and showing both richness and a slight roughness in the mouthfeel; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Should benefit from several more years of aging. Very highly recommended.”
Fredric Koeppel, BiggerThanYourHead.net, April 2021
“Perhaps the Merry Edwards Meredith Estate Pinot Noir 2018, Russian River Valley, is the most robust of these models, the most evident of foresty, loamy characteristics, overlaid my meadow flowers and orchards — yes, it’s that complex. The color is dark ruby-magenta with a vivid violet-hued rim; intense, powerful notes of macerated cherries and currants are permeated by hints of cloves and cumin, sandalwood and lilacs, while the whole enterprise is grounded in a coniferous nature that reaches deep for loam, roots and branches; animated by bright acidity, this pinot noir becomes more austere from mid-palate back through the finish, where it concludes with a paradoxical (and gratifying) menage of graphite, flint and wild berry.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2020
“This was Edwards’ first estate planting, begun in 1998. It shows incredible attention to detail and depth of site, opening with memorable floral, earthy and mineral-laden character. Robust in structure, the dense, youthful power of the wine is robust in an intensity of plum, dark cherry and an intermixed swirl of vanilla and chocolate. It finishes in white pepper and will age beautifully.”
Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2019
“Medium ruby-purple, the nose of the 2017 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate, from grapes planted from 1996-1998, explodes with ripe marionberry, violet, lilac, loamy earth and cracked pepper aromas plus nuances of pipe tobacco, aniseed and boysenberry. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with nuanced flavor layers, knit by firm, grainy tannins and addicting freshness, finishing very long and layered. This is wonderful!”
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, May 2020
“The 2017 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate is a standout in the lineup and has the most density as well as structure. Deep purple/ruby, with stunning notes of black raspberries, scorched earth, charcoal, crushed violets, and autumn forest floor, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, building tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a great finish. This is straight-up fabulous, and while terrific today, it will be even better with a year or two of bottle age and keep for over a decade. I’d put this up with the top wines in the vintage.”
95 points
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate has a deep ruby-purple color and gregarious nose of black cherry liqueur, baked blackberries and blueberry compote with notes of black pepper, soil and spice. Medium to full-bodied with concentrated, dark juicy fruit in the mouth, it has firm, grainy tannins and a layered, spicy finish.” Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, April 2019
Prince of Pinot, Jan. 16, 2019
“Clone 667 forms the foundation of this wine. UCD 37, 777 and a Swan selection round out the blend. Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of black raspberry, blackberry, sawdust and nutty oak. A glorious attack of lavish black fruits draws attention. Intense and brooding, even over time in the glass. Harmonious tannins create a sleek and satisfying texture. The glorious finish (and I have this underlined in my notes) concludes with waves of ripe fruit. Bombastic!”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 2019
“Brawny layers of black cherry are structured in broad tannins and a backbone of balanced concentration in this stellar, sturdy and full-bodied wine. Its powerful nature finds worthy companionship in crisp focused acidity that keeps it fresh and accentuates hits of cardamom and cola.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, April 2018
“Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, the 2015 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate opens with pronounced black raspberries, black cherries and violets scents with touches of chocolate box, anise, black soil and oolong tea plus a touch of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied with a firm foundation of grainy tannins and lively freshness, it has a wonderfully expressive core of black berries and floral notions, finishing with great persistence.
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 2, 2018
“Over the years the Meredith Estate has been one of the most reliable big guns in the Merry Edwards arsenal. The 2015 vintage is yet another in an enviable string of successes. Showing notes of bright raspberry and black cherry, this vintage is more fruit-driven than some, but without losing the structure and depth that set Merry Edwards Pinot Noirs apart. Robust and full-bodied, with inviting aromas of wood spice, this is a brilliant wine for tonight or you could lay it down in the cellar and properly age it for another five to seven years.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, March 2018
“Soft, velvety, lush and broad, this is a full-figured, darkly brooding wine, steeped in concentrated flavors of strawberry and blackberry. Baked bread, milk chocolate and rose petals accent it well, with supportive, measured oak adding a touch of toast.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, April 28, 2017
“The 2014 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate has a medium ruby-purple color and gorgeous fragrance of red roses, lavender and fallen leaves over a core of crushed cranberries, mulberries and raspberry tart plus a touch of allspice. The medium-bodied palate is taut, youthful and finely structured, with the ripe, very fine grained tannins beautifully framing the multilayered berry and earth flavors, finishing long with loads of freshness and expressiveness.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2017
“From one of the producer’s older vineyard sites, fully mature and steady, this wine shines in cranberry, rhubarb and strawberry before finding richer, riper streaks of blueberry and blackberry. Generous tannin is seasoned by layers of piquant cinnamon and vanilla. It’s lush and bold.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, Jan 24, 2017
“The pick of an exceptional litter at this stage, Merry Edwards’ Meredith Estate Pinot Noir says wow! It’s a wonderfully complex mixture of dark fruit and savory flavors. Both glossy and chewy (in a nice way) its contrasts continue to captivate throughout a meal. It delivers New World opulence without a hint of exaggeration or flamboyance.”
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, March 2016
“The 2013 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate has a saturated ruby/purple color, beautiful black raspberry and blueberry-like fruit, underlying loamy soil tones, medium to full body, beautiful ripeness purity and depth. Like its siblings it is young, and still somewhat unformed but bursting with upside potential. Forget it for another year or so and drink it over the following 15+ years.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, July 2016
“From the producer’s Sebastopol Hills hillside vineyard, this is a perfumy, elegant wine, a combination of lavender and roses with sizable tannins and a backbone of acidity. Dark black fruit and game swirl together with a complex addition of dried herb and violet. This is a lovely wine now, but will benefit from further cellaring through 2023.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, March 8, 2016
“Merry’s 2013 Meredith is a strapping pinot that needs a bit of time to realize its full potential. Packed with dark fruits and spice and plenty of acid to balance the sweetness of the fruit from this very good vintage, this is a wine that needs to be tucked away for a few years. It’s another blockbuster pinot from the Queen of California Pinot Noir and it deserves your respect.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator Insider, April 1, 2015
“Classically proportioned, pure, firm, rich and juicy, with aromas of violet and wilted rose amid vivid blueberry, wild berry, raspberry, cedar and crushed rock notes. This is both firm and dense, gaining depth and persistence, with a long, tapered finish.”
Cellar Selection Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, June 2014
Only great wineries can succeed in a brutally challenging vintage like 2011, and Merry Edwards did. This wine is not completely approachable now, being all dryness, tannins and acidity. Notes of wild mushrooms, brown rice, red licorice, cola, clove and white pepper frame the essential core of sour cherry candy. Drink 2019 and beyond.
Anthony Dias Blue, The Tasting Panel, March 2013
“Silky and smooth with elegant flavors of bright cherry, strawberry and spice; juicy and fresh with vibrant, long flavors.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, May 2012
“Here’s a Pinot to put into your cellar. That’s if you can keep from opening it now and savoring the deep, spicy flavors that are so captivating. Offers up layers of cherries, cola, pomegranates, mushrooms, Indian spices and minerals, not to mention a deft touch of sweet, smoky oak. Wonderful tannins and brisk acidity provide balancing structure to the richness. The finish is long. Drink anytime from now through 2017.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, June 2011
“As deep, as rich and as well appointed in persistent fruit as any of its stablemates, the Pinot Noir from Ms. Edwards’ home property is perhaps the best bred of them all. It is at one and the same time weighty and beautifully balanced, and its composed combination of ripeness, sweet oak and fresh cherries puts it on the track for certain improvement with age. Its sense of vigor and fruity stamina makes us think that it could grow for a decade or more, and, if given the choice, we would exercise patience and wait for at least four or five years before pulling its cork.
Wine Enthusiast magazine, August 2011
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, March 2010
“A splendid, near-perfect Pinot, although it’s very young and will benefit from time in the bottle. Few Pinots offer richer, more massive flavors. Just explodes on the palate with raspberries, cherries, persimmons, Dr. Pepper cola, mocha and cinnamon spices, yet the tannin-acid structure keeps it all balanced. A joy to drink as it warms and changes in the glass.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, June 2010
“Deep, rich and perfumed, high in keenly focused varietal fruit boasting of cherries, succulent strawberries and cola, layered with creamy, slightly toasty oak yet light on its feet and full of energy, this wine is simply loaded with compelling components from first sniff to lasting aftertaste.”
Wine News, Feb. 1, 2010
“Bright garnet hue. Fresh black cherry, clove, flint, rhubarb and basil aromas. A balanced, well-structured wine with crisp cherry and strawberry fruit laced with earthy, woodsy tannins and drying mineral notes. The combination of red fruit and woodland expressions should pair nicely with a variety of foods.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, June 2008
“The pure and precise cherryish fruit that marks the best Russian River Pinots is in full evidence right from the start here, and it stays the course with remarkable persistence from the wine’s deep, keenly defined nose all the way through to its lengthy finish … showing a fine sense of polish and crafting, this one tempts early drinking but is structured for keeping and will improve for the next half-dozen years.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, June 2007
“Deeply fruited in its aroma with just the right bit of oak and accents of sweet smoke … it is filled with fruit that is all Californian.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, June 2006
“It’s elegant and complex now, and changes as it breathes in the glass.”
PinotReport, Issue #2
“WOW! This Pinot is a mouthful of great flavors! Incredible structure and balance.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, Dec. 15, 2006
Greg Walter, PinotReport, February 2004
“The Pinot from Merry’s own vineyard — the Meredith Estate — is fast becoming my favorite of the Pinots she makes. It’s incredibly deep with many levels of bold flavors.”
Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, July 10, 2003
“Exceptional. Intriguing spice note adds interest to dark-berry flavors, with fruit and hints of cinnamon and pepper in the finish.”
Wine Enthusiast, February 2003
Olivet Lane Chardonnay
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, March 2024
“Whole cluster pressed and aged sur lie nine months in (47% new) French oak, this heritage property [owned by the Pelligrini family] is home to these coveted grapes. Abundant, mouth-filling beauty with notes of crème brulée, lemon zest, and vanilla cedar.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, Nov. 2023
“A wonderful brightness to this white with honey blossom, lemon character and green melon. Shows tension and brightness. Phenolic texture and firmness. Lots going on.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, July 2022
“The 2019 Chardonnay Olivet Lane has pure, pretty scents of golden apples and pears, saline and Meyer lemon, with undertones of baker’s yeast, chamomile and beeswax. The medium-bodied palate is pure and energetic, balancing a rounded, plush texture and bright, refreshing acidity, and it has a long, fragrant finish. Lovely!”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 2022
“This is a lovely, whole-cluster pressed wine aged sur lie for nine months and aged in French oak, only 38% of it new. From the longtime vineyard source, it offers balanced acidity and a stone-fruit-led richness that delves into freshly cut pear and just a hint of nut and spice.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, January 2023
“The 2020 Chardonnay Olivet Lane Vineyard is sleek, polished and an absolute delight to taste. White orchard fruit, mint and jasmine are all nicely delineated in this classy, mid-weight offering from Merry Edwards.”
Meridith May, Somm Journal, December 2021
“This just-released white is a 100% whole-cluster press, nine-month sur-lie-aged Wente Clone Chardonnay. Aromas from a flourishing garden include jasmine, hyacinth, and pear blossom. Mouth-filling, creamy notes of lemon meringue, with a touch of toasted oak, caramel, and mango.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“The gorgeous 2019 Merry Edwards ‘Olivet Lane’ Chardonnay is a glorious new release from the Russian River Valley. Saline drenched white peach, Japanese pear and shades of nutmeg dusted starfruit all fill the nose. The palate is soft, round and beautifully textured. Showing serious depth and concentration, this finishes exceedingly long with minerals and vanilla cream. This has some excellent cellaring potential.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, November 2021
“Intense, richly layered aromas of apples and toasty oak with a caramelly bent jump out of the glass from the very first sniff, and that blend of generosity and layered depth continues all the way to the long, rounded, glyceriny finish. If a tad softer than many Chardonnays, the wine never runs afoul of any sense of ponderousness and instead delivers its engaging character with balanced acidity. So deep as to invite drinking up in the near term, this one has the focus and concentration to last for years to come.”
Peg Melnik, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Sept. 28, 2021
“This floral chardonnay is complex, with layered flavors of apple, pear, lemon and almond. It has great balance, buoyed by crisp acidity and nice length. Well-crafted.”
Isaac James Baker, Terroirist.com, January 2022
“Light yellow color. Beautiful, vibrant nose of lemon, orange peels, papaya, along with honey, shaved ginger, nougat – a wonderful balance. On the palate, there’s this waxy but salty combination of deliciousness. Lemon curd, papaya, pineapple, laced with salted almond, honey, bread crumbs, lemon verbena and pecans. The complexity of floral, honeyed and brisk tones is really something. A lovely interpretation of this famous Chardonnay.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, August 2020
“Edwards has worked with the Pellegrini family’s Olivet Lane fruit for years and it shows here, in this deliciously complex, fruity white wine. Golden-apple, pear, stone and lemon flavors highlight a high-toned and crisp palate of nuanced acidity and floral aromatics, with a lasting hint of almond on the finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, May 2020
“The 2017 Chardonnay Olivet Lane is brilliant, offering loads of caramelized peach, toasted bread, honeyed minerality, and white flower-like aromas and flavors. With medium-bodied richness, a rounded, fleshy texture, good acidity, and a great finish, it’s another undeniably delicious, already approachable Chardonnay from this team. Drink it over the coming 3-5 years.”
Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, April 30, 2020
“The savory, toasty, nutty aromas of this wine recall browned butter. Its texture is round and creamy, hinting at brioche and Werther’s Original candy, with a firm backbone holding it all together.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits Magazine, October 2019
“The old vines at Olivet Lane were planted to a Wente selection in 1973. They focus this wine’s complexity on savory scents of honeycomb. The fruit has the fresh intensity of grated lemon zest, opening with air to become toasty, heady and rich.”
91 points
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, May 2019
“Lacy flavors of apple pastry, pear and ripe citrus combine to offer a delicate richness. The creamy finish features dried sage notes.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator Insider, May 18, 2018
“Charming, offering a rich, delicate core of citrus-infused white peach, nectarine, green apple and pear notes, with textural nuance. The flavors are spot-on, notable for their refinement.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, April 2014
“Turns Chardonnay into a pleasantly exotic experience, offering a wide range of flavors, with rich fig, melon, buttery oak and spice notes. Gains depth and complexity on the full-blown finish.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 17, 2017
“It turns out the Queen of Pinot Noir has an equally deft touch with Chardonnay. Merry’s 2013 vintage from her favorite vineyard (my presumption) is at once exotic and the epitome of nuanced complexity. Take a sip now and you might pick up floral and spice notes. A second later perhaps tropical fruit and citrus, even lemon creme, with a slightly oily presence on the palate and remarkable length in the mouth. A truly extraordinary California Chardonnay that is packed with flavor and exquisitely balanced.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 2017
“From a vineyard site long tapped by both this producer and others, this beautifully crafted white is rich in a swirl of apple pie, fig and anise aromas and offers a voluptuous texture and mouthfeel. That concentration is complemented by crisp acidity, allowing for both balance and complexity.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, May 2015
“Offers enticing aromas of orange and lemon blossom, with flavors to match. This is intense and vibrant, with zingy acidity and notes of white peach, nectarine and green apple, ending pure and zesty.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, May 2014
“Here is a deep, masterfully crafted wine that stands with the very best Chardonnays of its vintage, and, from first sniff to finish, it shows enormous fruity depth and an altogether remarkable sense of control. It is rich and yet still a bit tight, and it offers tantalizing glimpses of complexity sure to come with a rare knack for being concentrated and wonderfully vital at once. It is a serious young wine of real pedigree, and it is one that will handsomely reward being hidden in the cellar for no less than another two to five years.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, December 2012
“This, Merry Edwards’s first Chardonnay from Olivet Lane Vineyard, is brilliant. There’s an alluring hint of buttery richness supported by imposing acidity. Ripe, but by no means overblown, this is a refined and stylish Chardonnay. The finish seemingly lasts forever, and each sip brings new thrills. Wow this is good! If she’s not careful she could be known more for her Chardonnays than her superb Pinot Noirs.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide, March 2013
“This Chardonnay shows the ripe fruit and tangy acidity derived from this cool-climate vineyard. It bears tart apricot, orange and mineral flavors, balanced by oaky notes of vanilla and buttered toast.”
Olivet Lane Pinot Noir
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, July 2024
“Olivet Lane was the first … Merry Edwards vineyard-designated Pinot Noir in 1997. Aged 10 months in 83% new French oak, it delivers a bounty of spiced red cherry with a juicy, luscious mouthfeel. A lick of salinity offers a charge to pomegranate, black tea, and cedar. Sharply focused.”
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com, July 2024
“A bright ruby color, the 2021 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane is toasty on opening, with notes of incense, cedar, cranberries, and high-toned spices. All about elegance, it’s medium-bodied and refreshing, with refined, sweet tannins, a silky texture, and a clean lift of fresh acidity. A well-balanced and highly charming wine, it will benefit from another couple of years in bottle to shed its more primary fruit.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider, June 12, 2024
“This bursts with juicy, bramble-laced flavors of boysenberry, cherry and raspberry coulis, while dried hibiscus, red tea and lightly singed anise details emerge on the finish. Offers a toasty frame, but ample energy keeps the fruit center stage.”
Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 2023
“Almost irresistible for its lavish spices and rich fruits, this deep and expansive wine is memorably flavorful and complex. Cinnamon, cedar, cloves and balsam complement vibrant red cherries, rich black cherries and mulled plums as a full body and moderate tannins give it significant heft in the texture.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits, Spring 2024
“Planted by the Pelligrini family in 1975, Olivet Lane stretches across 65 acres on the western benchlands of the Santa Rosa plain. Merry Edwards has been making wine from the vineyard since the mid-’80s, and it has come to define her rich, voluptuous style of pinot noir. Heidi von der Mehden makes the wine today, shepherding the detailed flavors of this wine into layers of dark herbs and cherry skin tannins, black cherry and black pepper spice lasting in a gracious, enveloping finish. The sweetness of the fruit is beautiful; it kept juicing up and drawing me back for another taste.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, June 2023
“Juicy and open-knit, this friendly style leads with plum compote and cherry preserves, backed by hints of anise and hibiscus on the finish. A crowd-pleaser.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, June 3, 2021
“Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2019 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane has broody aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, violet, fir and turned earth. The palate is bold, powerfully fruited, firm and fresh with loads of floral accents and a very long finish.”
Meridith May, Somm Journal, August/September 2021
“This historic Russian River Valley vineyard is farmed by the Pellegrini family; to promote better tannin development in the grapes, they implemented deficit irrigation, managing the amount of water reaching the vines while optimizing fruit yield and quality. Aromas of red roses in just-tilled soil lead to mocha and salted plum flavors. Chocolate-soaked cherries around a core of chalky tannins make an elegant arrival, broadening the palate. Dried floral tones persist throughout. A beauty.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“Dark berry fruit compote comes to mind in this designate from the well-known vineyard, long a staple for the producer. The richness is balanced by a gravelly texture and undertones of forest and black tea.”
Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, July 2021
“Coming from a vineyard in the Russian River and vines planted in 1973, the 2019 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane is another terrific, classic, impeccably made Pinot Noir from this estate. Deep ruby-hued, with lots of ripe darker strawberry and cherry fruits, it’s medium-bodied, has notable structure, some classic Pinot Noir forest floor and sappy herbs, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It’s going to benefit from a year or so of bottle age and keep through 2031.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, June 2022
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane is a classic Merry Edwards Pinot built on exuberance and textural richness. Succulent black cherry, mocha, licorice and chocolate are front and center. The 2019 is not exactly subtle, but it offers plenty of punch. I very much like the intensity and immediacy here.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, Sept. 30, 2021
“Offers fresh, focused minerality, with raspberry and cherry flavors that show underbrush and cedar accents. Notes of hot stone linger on the finish, backed by firm acidity.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“The 2019 ‘Olivet Lane’ Pinot Noir is a nuanced effort that has really good flavor range. Right out of the gate this exudes class with its tight core of crunchy red fruits that collide with minerals and smoky undertones on the palate. Medium-bodied and showing wonderful verve and balance, this outstanding Pinot Noir will become very earthy as it ages over the next ten to fifteen years.”
Cathrine Todd, July 2021
“Perfumed nose with lifted orange peel and jasmine notes with black tea leaves and black wild fruit on the palate that had a brawny, big structure and a long expressive finish with purple flowers and broken rocks lingering in the head. This wine also benefits from a couple of hours of decanting.”
Isaac Baker, Terroirist.com, July 2021
“Deep ruby color. A warm aromatic compote of raspberries, cherries and cranberry relish, along with notes of warm clay, violets, some wild herbs and creosote tones – really nice. Full-bodied, solid structure but rounded tannic edges, deep but balanced with vibrant acidity. Suave plum, strawberry and cherry fruit play well off these notes of sage, paprika, pepper – a ton going on here. Broth, mushroom tones need time to come out. This needs time, but it is so, so good.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2020
“Juicy with brawny black fruit, this wine offers soft, supple tannins that support fleshy ongoing richness on the midpalate. Varietally satisfying and expressive in velvety texture, it finishes in baking spice and a depth of earth.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, August 2020
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane is all restraint. Blood orange, red berry fruit, mint, rose petal and star anise all give the Olivet Lane a very pretty aromatic top register. Medium in body and understated, the Olivet Lane is finely sculpted, vivid and exceptionally polished. It is also less expressive today than most of the wines in the lineup. I would prefer to give it a bit of aeration.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, July/August 2020
“The Olivet Lane Vineyard was originally planted in 1973, and Merry Edwards is responsible for much of its development thanks to her working relationship with Bob Pellegrini, who she began working with in the mid-1980s. In 1991, Merry produced their winery’s Olivet Lane Pinot Noir which is now her own. Aromas are ripe and rich with mocha cherry and red roses. A juicy flow of cranberry and pomegranate is lit from within. The wine shows clean, feminine lines, and the finish is dusted with baking spices.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Aug. 11, 2020
“This is perhaps the top vineyard in the galaxy of splendid Merry Edwards vineyard-designates. The 2018 Olivet Lane shows fresh raspberry and a hint of forest floor on the nose, with excellent depth on the palate. The tannins are supple and smooth this vintage and the persistence of flavor through the impressive finish.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, August 2020
“Medium ruby, the 2018 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane has a nose of cranberry jelly and rhubarb with accents of blood orange, tea leaves, woodsmoke and forest floor. Medium-bodied and silky, it has a good core of bright fruit with seamless freshness and a long finish.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, Oct. 15, 2020
“Well-sculpted, with good cut to the ripe berry, dark plum and currant flavors, which are concentrated and feature rich spiciness. Chocolate nib and savory accents show on the finish.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, February 2021
“The dark and brooding 2018 Olivet Lane Pinot Noir is amazingly refined, especially considering its concentration. Less floral and fragrant than the Klopp Ranch, it expands and explodes as it sits in the glass. Initially, black fruit flavors predominate, but with air and time, savory notes appear and take over. Merry Edwards’ signature suaveness amplifies its appeal. Though plush and powerful, it is not heavy or overdone.”
Isaac Baker, The Terroirist, June 2020
“Medium ruby color. Vibrant, deep aromas with raspberry, bright cherry, fresh strawberries, with complex elements of clove, rose petals, pine forest. On the palate, this is crisp and elegant on a medium/full-bodied frame with velvety but structured tannins – the balance is pristine. Delicious cherries, pomegranate, plum, raspberry fruit, tangy but deep. Complex elements of pine sap, crunchy leaves, tobacco, bay leaf, rose petals, just all sorts of things going on. Pure, delicious, give this air or five years of age and listen to it sing.”
Fredric Koeppel, BiggerThanYourHead.net, April 2021
“The ravishing color of the Merry Edwards Olivet Lane Pinot Noir 2018, Russian River Valley, is a totally transparent mulberry-magenta hue; it’s a pinot noir of gratifying purity and intensity, from its bouquet of spiced and macerated black and red cherries and currants permeated by notes of sassafras, sandalwood and rhubarb, a hint of cloves, a touch of loam in the background; to its large-framed and full-bodied presence on the palate, where supple, velvety tannins support dark, evocative berry flavors infused by briers and brambles, roots and branches conjuring a sense of bedrock and vineyard foundations; a few moments in the glass bring in elements of iodine and iron, completing a package of impeccable power and balance.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2019
“Generous and delicious, this is a tannic, boldly structured and beautifully brawny wine, rich in wild cherry and brambly blackberry. Toasted oak, orange and spicy nutmeg accent a luxurious mouthfeel on the midpalate before an unctuous wave of cocoa powder takes hold on the long finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, June 2019
“The 2017 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane offers more spicy oak as well as solid black cherry, caramelized raspberries, and graphite aromas and flavors. It’s beautifully balanced on the palate, with good midpalate depth and building tannins, as well as good acidity. It’s a young, tight 2017 that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and should last for over a decade.”
Anthony Dias Blue, Blue Lifestyle, May 2019
“Rich black cherry echoes on both the nose and palate. With a smooth texture and hints of toasty oak, this tribute to a justly famous vineyard is a typical Merry Edwards masterwork.”
Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, April 30, 2019
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane is medium to deep ruby-purple with a youthfully subdued nose opening to violet, blackberry jam, blueberry, bay leaf, earth and herbs hints. Medium to full-bodied, it has dark savory fruit, fine grainy tannins and great freshness to lift the finish. Give this more time in bottle or a good decant.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2018
“Broadly fleshy and expansive on the palate, this is a lovely, powerful wine, spicy in forest pine and clove. Succulent on the midpalate, it offers an array of well-defined citrus and wild strawberry, with a lingering quality to the finish that impresses in rose petal and lavender.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, Aug. 31, 2018
“Tightly wound, with a mix of loamy earth and dried berry flavors amid sage and cedar notes. This doesn’t move beyond that stage for now but time may help.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, April 2018
“Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane offers up intense red currants and warm red cherries notions with suggestions of baking spices, lavender, bay leaves and tilled soil. Medium-bodied, it has a lovely, plush frame and plenty of juicy red and black fruits, finishing long and perfumed.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 9, 2018
“The 2015 is a powerful wine with broad shoulders and layered richness. The most darkly fruited of all her Pinots, this Olivet Lane is built for the long haul. Its core is concentrated dark cherry deliciousness. There is an earthy note and plenty of wood spice, with a touch of mocha lurking in the background. One of Merry’s best from her signature Pinot Noir vineyard. While drinkable now, I would prefer to lay it down and wait another three to five years before serving. This remarkable wine will only improve with additional bottle age.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, May 2018
“This is a soft, velvety and lush wine, with bold, beautiful highlights of cranberry, orange and dark cherry. Medium in weight, it dances along a tightrope of fresh, focused acidity and savory black tea. The vineyard is planted with older vines that won’t last forever, and the winemaker treats each vintage as if it might be its last.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, April 28, 2017
“Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2014 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane offers an earthy nose of underbrush, moss, dusty soil and truffles over notes of crushed Bing cherries and cranberries, plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium-bodied, elegant and fresh in the mouth, the red berry and earth flavors are well-supported by chewy tannins and give a nice long finish.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2017
“This is from one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the area, owned and farmed by Bob Pellegrini, and a place that has provided grapes for Edwards since the 1980s. Spicy pine and cardamom greet the nose and palate, as silky smooth layers of rose and wild strawberry meet cardamon and vanilla. Medium-bodied, it remains complex and balanced as it develops additional nuance in the glass.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, March 21, 2017
“The Olivet Lane is always one of Merry’s most complex Pinots, and the 2014 is no exception. This wine shows layered red fruits and spice, with a note of black tea and exquisite flesh and richness for a wine with such firm tannins. This is a wine that will improve in the cellar. Peak maturity likely won’t arrive for another three to five years, so a bit of patience is in order.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, May 2016
“Baked bread and lavender jump out on the nose of this perennially delicious wine, which in this vintage shines in red fruit with a crisp citrus undertone. Elegant and graceful, it offers moderate tannins that will withstand aging, finishing in spicy nutmeg and wild vanilla.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, December 2015
“Olivet Lane is Merry Edwards’ big gun and the big gun always fires. The 2013 vintage from this splendid Russian River Valley property is deeply scented with a spicy, grapey perfume. On the palate the wine is layered and powerful, showing exceptional dimension while remaining elegant and in balance. There is a touch of forest floor and firm grip on the finish. Outstanding now, but even better in another three to five years.”
Peg Melnik, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Nov. 2, 2014
“A gorgeous pinot with depth. Complex, with layers of cassis, boysenberry and rose petals. Seamless texture. Impressive.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Talk, “Thoughts for the Year,” December 2013
“Historically, the Olivet Lane Vineyard pinot has been Merry’s signature achievement in the world of fine wine, a triumph in virtually every vintage. It remains so even in the challenging year of 2011, when foul weather was the main story line. This vintage of Olivet Lane is sensational, showing an earthy character on the nose that the French like to call “garrigue.” This wine is all about dark fruits and spice, with a hint of anise and tremendous depth without losing its elegant persona. One of the finest California pinots I’ve tasted this year.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, March 2013
The pedigree of this rich Pinot Noir is evident right away in the mouthfeel, offering a silky and satiny texture, brightened with citrusy acidity. The flavors immediately kick in with a solid wall of red cherries, licorice, persimmons, pomegranates and cola. An exciting, complex wine to drink now, and it should gather momentum over six years, maybe even longer.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator Insider, July 27, 2011
“A very delicate style, lean, pure, crisp, tangy and flinty, with snappy wild berry and raspberry notes. Full-bodied, intense, tight and focused, this is most expansive on the finish where the flavors fan out nicely.”
Wine & Spirits Magazine, April 2011
Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Olivet Lane was named No. 1 Pinot Noir in Wine & Spirits Magazine’s 22nd annual Restaurant Poll.
Robert Whitley, WineReviewOnline.com, November 6, 2009
“Olivet Lane has long been a benchmark Pinot for Merry. The ’07 vintage provides a beautiful example of Olivet Lane at its best. With a pure black cherry and spice nose and a subtle hint of the earth, the aromas simply pull you into the glass. On the palate the silky tannins remind you this is one of the stars of California Pinot Noir. And the complex layers of fruit and hedonistic opulence are further evidence that this is one outstanding Pinot Noir vineyard in the hands of a Pinot Noir genius.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Nov. 6, 2009
“Olivet Lane has long been a benchmark Pinot for Merry. The ’07 vintage provides a beautiful example of Olivet Lane at its best. With a pure black cherry and spice nose and a subtle hint of the earth, the aromas simply pull you into the glass. On the palate the silky tannins remind you this is one of the stars of California Pinot Noir. And the complex layers of fruit and hedonistic opulence are further evidence that this is one outstanding Pinot Noir vineyard in the hands of a Pinot Noir genius.”
Decanter California 2010, Vintage Report, Murphy’s Pick
“The most elegant of Edwards’ many fine Pinots, it charms with cherry fruit, silky tannins, subtle barrel spice and a ballerina-like dance on the palate.”
Wine Enthusiast, March 2008
“Merry Edwards nailed this one. Lush and smooth as velvet, it shows enormously deep, ripe blackberry, cherry, raspberry, leather, cola, soy-splashed Portobello, vanilla and cinnamon spice flavors.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 15, 2006
“A glorious success, for this or any vintage. It shows classic Russian River balance and refinement.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, Jan. 31, 2007
“Fragrant black cherry and wild raspberry scents are fresh and vibrant, with a delicate mouthfeel to the texture. Well balanced, turning complex on the palate.”
Wine & Spirits, October 2005
“(A) massive wine … built for age.”
Pinot Report, Issue #24
“WOW! This is a big, powerful Pinot with a lush, silky mouthfeel and gobs of flavor.”
The 2004 Pinot Passion Awards, PinotReport Special Awards Issue
“One of the top 12 Pinot Noirs of 2003”
Wine & Spirits, February 2002
San Francisco Chronicle
Gerald Boyd, San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 15, 1999
“While most wine drinkers agree about the virtues of Pinot Noir, few can agree on where the best Pinot Noir is grown in California. Russian River Valley in Sonoma County is one of the top choices. Olivet Lane, a small vineyard on bench land in the Russian River Valley, has supplied some top Pinot Noir grapes to various wineries over the years. Edwards has a long-term relationship with the vineyard owners, and considers grapes from Olivet Lane among the best in Russian River Valley.
Richaven Pinot Noir
Tom Capo, Wine Enthusiast, October 2024
“Deeply colored in the glass, this wine explodes with crushed black cherry, raspberry and quince aromas. The palate is structured, with a wealth of powerful tannin balanced by orange peel acidity and flavors of macerated Bing cherry compote, cardamom, sassafras and black pepper. This should blossom wonderfully with just a few years in the cellar.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits, Spring 2024
“From a ten-acre estate vineyard in the Sebastopol Hills, on a west-facing slope seven miles from the Pacific, this fog-influenced pinot feels brisk and cool, lasting on the bright flavors of fresh picked raspberry. There’s generosity to the wine without it feeling warm; instead, it feels gentle and gracious.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, November 2023
“Aromas of black cherries, red plums and potpourri followed by ground kola nuts, black tea leaves with underlying cocoa powder notes. Rose petal and bergamot. Medium-bodied, silky tannins with moderate acidity. Delightful yet shows some structure and has a nice crunchiness at the end. Intense flavors.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, March 25, 2024
“A quite ripe version, with a gush of creamed plum and boysenberry fruit flavors gliding through, plus melted black licorice, fruitcake and singed wood notes. This turns polished on the flattering finish.”
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com, July 2024
“Boasting a rich magenta/ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is classic and very much in the style lovers of this estate have come to expect. It’s ripe with notes of fresh black cherries, scorched earth, violets, and dark forest earth. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with sweet tannins and is generous without feeling heavy. Long on the finish and fully dry. It’s a very well-styled Pinot Noir from this challenging vintage.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, June 2024
“An enticingly ripe version, with a mix of black cherry, raspberry and boysenberry coulis notes joining licorice, bramble and singed apple wood accents. The juicy, engaging finish feels full of life. Drink now through 2032.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel Magazine, Sept. 2023
“Aged nine months in (47% new) French oak and whole berry fermented, this red dispenses aromas of crushed violets, incense, wet stone, and boysenberry. Prickly white pepper perks up notes of plum and mocha. There’s a ‘calmness’ on mid-palate with a hint of orange rind, soy sauce, and brushy, dried wildflowers.”
Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 2023
“Dense and structured, this robust wine offers more than the usual tannins and acidity, giving it a grippy mouthfeel and the potential to mellow with time. Black cherries, black currants and woodsy spices are there, waiting to develop.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, June 2023
“Sports vivid, punchy boysenberry and mulberry fruit, along with a burst of hibiscus throughout, all framed by a sleek, toasty edge that holds sway through the finish. Shows focus and energy, just needs time for the fruit to push through the authoritative wood treatment.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits, Spring 2024
“Concentrated in its red fruit, this has the sweetness of Bing cherries and the darker tones of black cherries. It’s warm with scents of ‘tobacco leaf and violets,’ said Bruno Almeida of NYC’s Toqueville, finishing with an amaro edge.”
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, October 2023
“A very dark, brooding and layered expression of Pinot Noir that honours the legacy of the Merry Edwards style, which bears an unabashed California opulence but not in any extreme excess. The first indication is a pronounced whiff of cedar, but even this is laced with intriguing conifer, clove, and bay leaf notes. The wine maintains its dark complexion on the palate, building in richness with clove, crushed cocoa nibs, and brown Indian spices. Plenty of dark berry fruit is silky and buoyant, and the finish is rich in crushed stone minerals.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2022
“An alluring nose of woody spice, moss, suede and black cherry. Full-bodied with fine, slightly tight tannins. Earthy and savory on the palate with great intensity and depth. Nicely spiced. Give this a little more time to soften.”
Audrey Frick, Jebdunnuck.com, August 2022
“Moving into some black fruits with the 2020 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, it offers notes of dark fresh earth, toast, and cinnamon stick. The texture is full, with fairly gripping structure, and the palate is rich with black cherry, tea leaf, and forested earth. Drink this over the next 10 or more years.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, Sept. 30, 2022
“Packs some punch, with a dense and juicy core of linzer torte, blackberry and black cherry flavors. Well-defined, with light anise and apple wood accents through the structured finish. A bit unbridled in feel but will certainly have fans.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, January 2023
“The 2020 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is bright, punchy and full of character. Macerated dark cherry, spice, chocolate, leather and incense are front and center. This mid-weight, juicy Pinot is very nicely done. It offers terrific depth and tons of allure.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, July 2022
“Medium ruby-purple, the 2020 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley has restrained, slightly rustic rhubarb and red and black cherry aromas with touches of burnt orange peel, licorice and laurel leaves. The medium-bodied palate is firm and gently chewy with muted freshness and a spicy finish.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“A hint of stemmy earthiness leads the way to a luxurious, expansive and velvety palate. The acidity is edgy and fresh, lifting the savory and floral components over a rich, complex berry core.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, July/Aug. 2021
“Aged sur lie for nine months in 55% new French oak, it is a merriment of earthly delights. Just-picked strawberries in tilled soil, mocha-kissed cherries and cinnamon coriander are demonstrative on the nose and palate. Basil and sage are echoed in the red-fruited finish.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, June 3, 2021
“Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley opens with savory scents of cranberry sauce, rhubarb, cherries and violet perfume with earthy and meaty touches. The medium-bodied palate is lushly fruited with a grainy texture, juicy freshness and long, spicy finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, July 2021
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley reveals a healthy ruby color as well as terrific raspberry and cherry fruits, medium-bodied richness, a supple, elegant mouthfeel, present yet light tannins, and a good finish. It’s charming, and while it drops off slightly on the finish, it’s balanced and satisfying. It should have 7-8 years of longevity.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“Sourced from a host of esteemed sites throughout the Russian River Valley, this shows off cola and red currants that march on with shades of tilled earth and Bing cherry on the nose. The palate is soft and round with a lovely sense of mouthfeel, viscosity and poise. Ripe red fruits mingle with minerals, damp earth and shades of wild mushroom on the palate.”
Cathrine Todd, July 2021
“Enchanting from the get-go with ripe raspberry, freshly picked wildflowers and anise seeds with touches of potting soil; the fiercely electric flavors of rhubarb, pomegranate and sweet paprika has a linear focused body with lots of drive. This blend of various vineyards is really stunning.”
Isaac Baker, Terroirist.com, July 2021
“Medium ruby color. So fresh and juicy on the nose with red plums and wild raspberry, over top of rhubarb, cola, violets, some nuanced cedar and sarsaparilla. Full but fresh with smooth tannins, a pleasantly chewy but vibrant feel with black cherries and raspberry jam fruit. Violets, rhubarb, white pepper, along with some earthy, dusty tones and herbal tea, add complexity to this juicy, fun Pinot.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast “Best of Year” Issue, January 2021
“Supple in tannin and earthy in black tea, this appellation wine is delicious, with depth and freshness. Lively acidity boosts a core of dark cherry, pomegranate and cherry—the fruit well contrasted in nutmeg and clove.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, August 2020
“The 2018 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is a fabulous introduction to these wines. Bright and juicy, the 2018 captures all of the natural radiance of the Russian River while retaining terrific nuance and vibrancy. Ripe red/purplish fruit, rose petal, spice and mint all race out of the glass. Perfumed floral notes resonate on the finish. The 2018 is so delicious – it is the sort of bottle that is opened and then immediately finished.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, August 2020
“Best known for its vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs, Merry Edwards also gets stunning results from its appellation-specific Pinot, in this case from the Russian River Valley. This weighty Pinot Noir opens on the nose with an intriguing floral note, followed on the palate by expressive layers of cherry and raspberry. With firm but beautifully integrated tannins, it is an impressive example of a powerful Pinot built for the long haul yet ready to drink now.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, August 2020
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley has a nose of cranberry sauce and baked rhubarb with accents of blood orange, tea leaves, earth and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate is bright and spicy, soft and juicy with an amaro-laced finish.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, February 2021
“The riper and deeper Merry Edwards Russian River Valley bottling, whose fruit comes from a variety of vineyards in that warmer AVA, is a fascinating contrast to their Sonoma Coast bottling. A weightier wine with black rather than red fruit tones, the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is juicy and well within bounds despite a 14.5 percent-stated alcohol. It also has an alluring bitterness in the finish.”
Fredric Koeppel, BiggerThanYourHead.net, April 2021
“The Merry Edwards Pinot Noir 2018, Russian River Valley, displays a dark ruby-mulberry hue with an ethereal rim; vivid notes of violets and rose petals, sandalwood, sassafras and rhubarb unfold layers of spiced and macerated black and red currants with hints of loam and wood smoke; on the palate, this pinot noir is propelled by vibrant acidity and a touch of graphite minerality, while its lithe, supple texture is steeped in elements of tobacco, pine forest, briers and brambles; the wine pulls up more fresh, damp loam on the finish. One hesitates to term this the winery’s ‘entry’ pinot noir; it’s better than many other flagship wines.”
Peg Melnik, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, March 23, 2021
“This smoky pinot with racy red fruit is exquisite. It has layered flavors, with notes of cherry, cola and sage. Great minerality. Firm tannins. Juicy and striking.”
Isaac Baker, The Terroirist, June 2020
“Deep ruby color. Smells of juicy cherries, red plums, red licorice, cola, with earth and violets. Chewy feel on a medium/full-bodied palate with zippy acidity, which balances the mouthfeel nicely. Saucy plums, raspberries, strawberry jam, along with notes of cola, violets, coffee, potpourri. Delicious but vibrant, too. Classic Russian River goodness.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, June 2020
“With its clear look at bright, pure cherry-like fruit, this bottling is very close to classic. … It is medium-full to full on the palate and near to smooth save for some finishing firmness, and while it will hold up well in bottle for two to four years, it does invite enjoyment now alongside dishes like broiled rib chops or even salmon napped in beurre blanc.”
Jamie Goode, Wineanorak, Oct. 24, 2020
“This is rich, silkily textured and bold with seamless black cherry and blackberry fruit, showing some nice texture with a bit of structure. This is ripe and rich for a Pinot, but there is good balance, with a distinctive spiciness adding some framing to the lush fruit. There’s richness and depth here: ripe but structured, in a modern mould.”
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, June 2019
“The appellation 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley spent 9 months in French oak. Its ruby color is followed by impressive notes of black raspberries, spiced black cherries, earth, and hints of incense. Rounded, supple, nicely concentrated, and with fine yet present tannins, this is a classic Pinot Noir that’s going to keep for at least 7-8 years, possibly longer.”
Peg Melnik, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, June 5, 2019
“An intense pinot with complex aromas and flavors. Notes of cherry, a hint of currant and anise. It has a supple texture, with a gorgeous melding of flavors. This delicious pinot ends with a savory note. Spot on.”
Alpana Singh, Master Sommelier at Seven Lions and Terra and Vine, Chicago, as quoted in Robb Report by Sheila Gibson Stoodley, Sept. 21, 2018
“As we begin to crave comfort fare such as braised dishes and stews, we need a red wine with enough structure and bright acidity to cut through the richness. Pinot Noir fits that bill. Merry Edwards is one of the leading ladies of winemaking, known for her brilliant and luscious Pinot Noirs chock-full of enticing aromas of raspberries, spiced cherries, violets, and earth.” Read the article here: Robb Report: Best Wines for Fall
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wines, November 2018
“Far too often a Pinot producer’s appellation bottlings are not given their full due and are seen as being less worthy of attention than those bearing the name of a specific vineyard, but experience teaches that is not always the case and no better example exists than this inviting effort. It is a fairly big, but very well-built wine that is generously fruited with the structure to age into better, and it shows the very careful winemaking that we have come to expect from Merry Edwards. It is delicious now, but we would counsel against hasty drinking as it is a good three to five years away from its increasingly complex best.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2018
“Herbal and forested in savory elements like rose petal and black tea, this is a gorgeously rich and round red wine, a true showcase of the appellation and sure to please a crowd. Red and black cherry are met by wild strawberry and lush waves of depth.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, March 2018
“Made from grapes sourced from several sites across the appellation, this shows deft winemaking skill in its velvety, gritty texture and beautiful aromas and flavors of cured meat, rose petal and Asian five spice. Bright acidity lifts the tones of cranberry, rhubarb and mushroom earthiness, with a touch of crushed stone.”
Sunset Magazine
“A downright sexy mix of earth, chocolate, cloves, and rose petals on the nose leads to a rush of berries edged with citrus.” Read the Sunset magazine article here: https://www.sunset.com
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, Jan. 24, 2017
“Also reflecting its origins, the Russian River Valley bottling delivers more black fruit-like flavors rather than the red fruit of the Sonoma Coast. In contrast to the cooler Sonoma Coast bottling, this one is fleshier with a hint of savory notes. The fine-grained tannins contribute to its supple texture.”
Ronn Wiegand, Restaurant Wine, February 2017
“The Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is superb: ripe and intense in character (black cherry, blueberry, red currant, rosehips, peach), it is also quite rich and long on the palate, with vibrant acidity and a very persistent finish, displaying overtones of cedar, toast, and oak.”
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, March 2016
“An outstanding example of Pinot Noir, the 2013 Pinot Noir has a beautiful dark ruby color, nice earthy, plum, black cherry and berry scent, medium to full body, good acidity and ripe, well-integrated tannin. Merry Edwards has been making Pinot Noir for more than 40 years, so it is no surprise she hits the highlights with this varietal. This young, vibrant Pinot should age beautifully for 10-15 years.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2017
“A blend from several of the producer’s finest vineyards, including Georganne, Flax, Olivet Lane and Klopp, this offers complex notes of smoky lavender and licorice. Velvety texture underlies mouth-coating flavors of blackberry jam, pomegranate and cardamom, finishing tartly in acidity.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, April 28, 2017
“Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley has expressive black cherry and black raspberry notes with hints of violets, underbrush and yeast extract. Medium-bodied, plush and juicy in the mouth, it has a lively backbone and great length.”
Lettie Teague, The Wall Street Journal, March 28, 2014
“Merry Edwards’ name is well known to lovers of elegant California Pinot Noir, and this Russian River Valley wine is a perfect example of the winemakers’ style. Although the wine is quite refined, it’s also luscious and compulsively drinkable. You may want to eat a second chicken just to justify a second bottle.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, October 2013
“Most Pinot Noirs would kill to have this depth of flavor. Although it’s the winery’s most basic, non-vineyard-designated Pinot, it’s a fantastic wine, rich, mellow and delicious. Offers wave after wave of cherries, currants, cola, pomegranates and persimmons that are as sweet as jam, yet the finish is thoroughly dry. The wine is a masterful blend of seven vineyards.”
Antonio Galloni, April 2013
“The 2010 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a big, juicy, exuberant wine loaded with character. Plums, black cherries, menthol, licorice and sweet spices all literally explode from the glass. This dark, full-bodied Pinot is loaded with Russian River character. The 2010 isn’t particularly subtle, but it is flat-out delicious in its huge fruit and generous. inviting personality. Readers who love rich Pinots will flip out over the 2010.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, May 2012
“Merry Edwards doesn’t just slap this regional blend together. This is a combination of her best vineyards. It’s a wonderful wine, dry, balanced and deep in berry, spice, cola and earthy flavors. In many ways, it’s the consummate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, 2010
“Tight, firm and vibrant, full-bodied, with a mix of fresh earth, mineral and dusty berry fruit that gets a nice lift on the finish, where this is the most complex and tempting.”
Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2009
“Marked by fresh, sleek acidity and firm, dusty tannins, this is a Pinot to stash in the cellar for a while. … (L)et the black cherries, red currants and cola mesh with the oak and transform with the magic of bottle age.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, December 2009
“Year in and year out, Merry Edwards makes fabulous Pinot Noir, whether its her single vineyard wines or one like this, a blend from seven different vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley. With this wine, she manages to capture the ripe fruit flavors common to California Pinot Noir and elusive herbal earthy notes. Autumnal leafy nuances and a floral component add depth and complexity but not weight. Silky tannins impart a glossy texture and mean you can enjoy it without further aging–like tonight with a roast chicken and sauteed mushrooms.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, 2010
“Tight, firm and vibrant, full-bodied, with a mix of fresh earth, mineral and dusty berry fruit that gets a nice lift on the finish, where this is the most complex and tempting.”
Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2009
“Marked by fresh, sleek acidity and firm, dusty tannins, this is a Pinot to stash in the cellar for a while. … (L)et the black cherries, red currants and cola mesh with the oak and transform with the magic of bottle age.”
Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, Nov. 18, 2008
“It’s easy to pay a lot of money for domestic pinot noir. Some wines aren’t worth the money, but these are some good ones if you have the cash… The 2006 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is more generous, with juicy cherry and raspberry, nice spice and fine tannins.”
Tom Simoneau, KSRO Radio, December 2007
Decanter.com, April 2008
“Classic aromas of earthy cherry with a hint of white pepper and spice. Glossy and smooth with a bright, zesty finish.”
Wine & Spirits, February 2007
“Merry Edwards has Russian River Pinot Noir down, defining it here with the delicate scent and velvet texture of a rose petal.”
Leslie Sbrocco, Wine Review Online, Sept. 5, 2006
“A mélange of grapes from five Russian River Valley vineyards including Meredith, Klopp and Olivet Lane, this is a powerfully lush Pinot. Packed full of dark berry richness, it’s as seductive as Pinot gets.”
James Laube, The Wine Spectator, Dec. 15, 2006
“Intense and concentrated, with ripe, rich layers.”
Steve Pitcher, The Wine News, April/May 2006
“Plush and juicy …with generous, spicy berry fruit and a silky texture”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, February 2004
“The most plentiful of Ms. Edwards’ very good Pinots, this well-ripened wine comes with the depth and density that are hallmarks of its maker…its palate-coating viscosity and persistent sense of richness make it a more than worthy member of the clan.”
Pinot Report
“Outstanding.”
Wine Enthusiast, “Best of Year” Issue 2003
“Big Pinot, opening with a blast of black cherries, truffle, smoke, new kid leather and a thousand other scents. Rich, dense and fruity — a delight packed with pure cherry flavors. Yet it feels light as a feather, soft as silk.”
PinotReport, June 2002
“Big and full in mouth with juicy blackberry and cherry flavors, complex spice component, good structure and balance.”
Wine & Spirits, February 2002
“Among the finest we have tasted from the USA in the 1999 vintage.”
San Francisco Chronicle, June 27, 2001
Tom Simoneau, The Wine Guy, KSRO radio
Gerald Boyd, San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 15, 1999
“In this first release of Pinot Noir under her own label, Edwards has adopted traditional Burgundian techniques to making the wine, like cold soaking the grapes prior to fermentation in small open-top fermenters and punching down the cap of grape skins and whole berries by hand. This labor-intensive work produces a deeper colored Pinot with more intense berry-rich flavors and a long concentrated finish. This 1997 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir has a lovely medium-ruby color. Up-front black-cherry and boiled-tea aromatics dominate the nose. The flavors show more toasted oak and chocolate. The wine is smooth and silky with loads of fruit and soft, fine tannins. The finish is firm fruity with great promise.”
Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator, February 2024
“A stunning white, this leaps out of the glass with aromatic mango, orange blossom and salted ripe melon flavors. Gains complexity from grilled peach, lemon oil, savory litsea oil and toasted herb elements, with a fleshy, creamy texture and fresh acidity.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, Nov. 2023
“A layered and creamy white with melon, apple puree and hints of kiwi. Medium body, creamy, and lovely al dente finish. Just a hint of sweetness.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, March 2024
“Barrel fermented and aged sur lie for five months in (18% new) French oak, the wine glistens with Meyer lemon and honeydew. Pineapple, gardenia, and sweet basil line the palate, lending a zingy profile to a finish of salty minerality.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator, June 2023
“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.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel Magazine, November 2023
“Aged sur lies for four months in 18% new French oak, aromas are a highlight, starting with lemon meringue and just-ripened pineapple. Creamy and rich, with notes of peaches and lemon drop sparked by white pepper, oregano, and peanut brittle. Alert with a tongue-tickling mouthfeel.”
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, October 2023
“Pronounced aromatics of lychee and kiwi are intermixed with jasmine and orange blossoms. Sur lie ageing for four months in 18% new French oak with batonnage twice weekly lends a creamy mid-palate richness and weight balanced by refreshing acidity.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, December 2022
“Always big and loaded with finesse, the gorgeous 2021 Merry Edwards ‘Russian River Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc is a superlative effort by the talented Heidi von 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.”
Keith Beavers, VinePair.com, July 2023
“(T)his 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.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator, June 2023
“Features ripe, fleshy peach, mango and nectarine flavors, but shows appealing restraint with the salted lime and lemon verbena accents. Reveals fresh, sleek acidity that keeps the flavors bright and focused, especially on the long finish.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2022
“An aromatic nose of stone fruit, fresh tropical fruit and jasmine. Full-bodied with a nice, oily texture. Fruity and lightly honeyed on the palate. Lavender and lily. Steely. Loire-like. Always an excellent sauvignon blanc.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, July 2022
“This Sauvignon Blanc offers pretty aromas of elderflower, white peaches, lime peel and kiwi with touches of baker’s yeast and alluring floral perfume. The palate is medium-bodied and flavorful, with notable concentration and freshness that will broaden its appeal at the table.”
Audrey Frick, Jebdunnuck.com, August 2022
“The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley jumps out of the glass with pristine ripe tropical fruit including guava, fresh white flowers, and grapefruit pith. The palate is ripe with sweet pink grapefruit candy, light vanilla spice, and sweet peach. Soft and rounded, the riper style of the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc makes it approachable now or over the next 6 years.”
Ken’s Wine Guide, August 2022
“This pale straw-colored Sauvignon Blanc from Merry Edwards opens with a ripe honeydew melon and lime bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is nicely balanced and bright. The flavor profile is a tasty Bosc pear and honeydew melon blend with notes of almond and kiwi. I also detected a hint of grapefruit. The finish was nice and pleasant.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator Insider, May 11, 2021
“This white offers a complex mix of lime sherbet, makrut lime leaf, lemon curd and orange blossom flavors that are fragrant and complex on a fleshy, succulent frame, with notes of nectarine and ripe Crenshaw melon. Harmonious, with a fresh thread of acidity on the finish.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“The producer’s perennially favorite white shines again in stone fruit flavors — a mix of apricot and sweet peach. Tropical companions in the form of pineapple and banana add weight and richness, contributing to a creamy, lush palate of goodness and grace.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, May 2021
“The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is a jewel of a wine. Bright, aromatic and chiseled, the 2019 bristles with energy. This translucent Sauvignon Blanc has so much to offer. Lemon confit, white flowers, crushed rocks and mint extend the intense, mineral finish beautifully.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, June 3, 2021
“The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc opens from youthful yeasty tones to fresh citrus and green tropical fruits. The medium-bodied palate is notable for the intensity of its spicy fruits and bright freshness, and it finishes with an anchoring touch of texture.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, July 2021
“Aged sur lie for four months in 18% new French oak, the floral components we have come to love from this wine, year after year, do not disappoint. An English garden shows off a luxury of scents and flavors, white petals scattered on a bright Spring day. Juicy pear and white peach are enhanced by a hint of guava. Lush on the mouth, with an inherent crispness from this variety.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wines, August 2021
“This oh-so tasty rendition is both deep and layered, and while it does show grassy varietal influences, it also comes with unusual richness both from the grapes as well as from a streak of toasty oak. Full on the palate and yet not at all heavy, this well-stuffed bottling is balanced in all its pieces, if a bit weightier than most of its peers. Long, structured and inviting now, it will hold up well in the bottle for the next few years.”
Matthew Luczy, Decanter, March 2021
“Aromas of nutmeg, melon and white peach. Weightly but balanced mouthfeel, combining disparate flavours of pecan oil, cheese rind, oregano and vanilla bean. Opulent on the mid-palate before landing on the finish with a pointed acidity that integrates with time in the glass. Strikes a stylistic midpoint between bright, creamy and aromatically exuberant.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, April 2021
“Over the years Merry Edwards has developed a sterling reputation for their Sauvignon Blanc. This new 2019 edition showcases beeswax and honeydew melon tones woven together with shades of apricot and Pink Lady apple aromas that all impress. The palate is soft and beautifully textured, with just a kiss of sweetness. Layers of ripe orchard fruits and minerals mingle with earthy undertones on the palate. The depth and concentration here is seriously good, as this beautiful new Sauvignon Blanc will cellar well over the next six to eight years.”
Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, July 2021
“The light-hued 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley offers a pretty, perfumed, incredibly juicy and fruit-forward style as well as lots of peach, citrus, and honeyed flower aromas and flavors. It’s clean and has good acidity, medium body, and a great finish. It’s certainly an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc.”
Cathrine Todd, July 2021
“Citrus blossom, key lime pie and spiced apple cake with a gorgeous plush mid-palate with white nectarine flavors that remind me of the fantastic ones where you bite into them and the juice runs down your chin; marked acidity balances the weighty palate that has a long expressive finish that goes on and on!”
Isaac Baker, Terroirist.com, July 2021
“Pale lemon color. Gorgeous fruit on the nose (grapefruit, kiwi, green apple), topped in chalk dust, fresh mountain stream, and complex elements of honeysuckle, mint and sage. Zippy acidity frames the wine so well, balanced with deep texture, and plenty of salty, minerals, mountain stream tones. The lime, kiwi and ruby red grapefruit is juicy but tangy, and it all works well over these floral perfume, white pepper, cucumber slices, honey and chalk dust. I’ve tasted this wine a lot over the years, and there’s something about this vintage. Phenomenal stuff.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator Insider, Feb. 5, 2020
“A pretty thread of orange water adds an aromatic lift to the core of nectarine, apricot and lemon zest flavors, set on a succulent, fleshy frame. Dried ginger, honeysuckle and melon notes linger on the long, expressive finish.” See the report here (log-in required): Wine Spectator Insider
Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2019,
“The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc contains 60% estate fruit this year and 42% of the blend comes from Sauvignon Musqué. Barrel fermented and aged in 18% new oak with twice-weekly lees stirring, it has a gregarious nose with gooseberry, tart kiwi, tarragon, cut grass, white peaches and elderflower plus touches of lime and stone. Light to medium-bodied, it offers great flavor intensity with bright, zippy acidity and a long, lightly textured finish.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel, April 2020
“I don’t think there’s a Sauvignon Blanc out there with the complex array of aromatics and unique flavors offered up by this stellar super-Sauv. The fruit hails from 60% of Merry Edwards estate and 42% of the blend is Sauvignon Musqué. Fully barrel fermented in French oak and on the lees for six months. Scents of salted butterscotch, peach blossom, just-mowed grass and pineapple fill the air. Developed flavors of jasmine-soaked pears and honeyed tangerine are mesmerizing – and the acidity pulls it all together.”
Sara Schneider, June 5, 2020, Robb Report
“This aromatic, barrel-fermented beauty (18 percent new oak, with lees stirred twice a week) leads with a gamut of fruit: apple, tropicals, gooseberry, stone fruit. A full-bodied palate is layered with some exotic notes—guava and lemongrass—along with tangerine and lively lime zest.”
Leslie Sbrocco, Check, Please, Bay Area, May 14, 2020
“When talking about leading women of wine in the world, Merry Edwards ranks among the top tier. She is a California winemaking icon that has crafted classy wines for more than four decades. Though handing over the winemaking reins to Heidi von der Mehden, Merry’s mission remains the same – letting the vineyards shine. This Sauvignon Blanc is one of California’s best. It uses barrel fermentation for complexity and showcases the aromatic qualities of the clone, Sauvignon Musqué. Ripe fruit and floral notes draw you in, then one sip leads to another as you savor the crisp, minerally white. When I see this wine on any restaurant wine list, I grab it. It’s a beauty to explore.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, July 2020
“Rich and rounded in stone fruit, pineapple and mango flavors, this hearty white is made in a substantial, full-bodied style that is opulently lush. A length of complementary oak adds to the complexity and integration, finishing in a snap of crème brûlée.”
Peg Melnik, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Feb. 5, 2020
“A layered sauvignon blanc with a range of flavors and pitch-perfect balance. Aromas and flavors of grapefruit, mango and lime. Finishes crisp. Exotic.” Read the article: Wine of the Week
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, December 2020
“One of the consistently great Sauvignon Blanc wines made in North America, this latest edition is a resounding success by winemaker Heidi von der Mehden. The texture is gorgeous, as this comes off fat and unctuous on the tongue. Layers of kiwi and gooseberry are woven together with baking spices and sourdough bread on the palate. With great length, this generous and rich effort will cellar well over the next eight to ten years, picking up earthy tones as it ages.”
The Drinks Business Global Masters wine competition, January 2021
“Lovely nose, creamy, layered, with beeswax, pear, toast and vanilla. Palate too, lovely, touch of elderflower, ripe sweet pear, peach, toast, cream, cinnamon, nuts and long fresh finish, with tangerine and hint of lime. Not harsh, but bright, with oily core, and integrated fine oak. Delicious.”
Nicholas Ponomareff, California Grapevine, December 2019
“Medium-light golden yellow color; attractive, floral, citrus, melon, apple, and peach aroma with tropical notes and hints of gooseberry and honeysuckle; medium to medium-full body; relatively rich, nicely balanced, citrus, white peach, and tropical fruit flavors with mineral notes and a touch of oak, and a slight creaminess in the pleasing mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.”
W. Peter Hoyne, Chicago Wine Press, February 2020
“Without doubt, Merry Edwards produces one of the most compelling Sauvignon Blanc’s any where on this earth. This full barrel fermentation style reveals aromas of macerated white peach, guava and candied pink grapefruit. This sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc is laced with ginger and tropical fruits that linger for minutes. It is rich, yet not weighty, finishing clean and memorable.”
Cathrine Todd, DameWine.com, July 2020
“100% Sauvignon Blanc – one-third of the blend made with the highly floral Sauvignon Musqué clone and two-thirds with the Shenandoah clone which has a classic herbal character. Merry was the first producer to make serious Sauvignon Blanc wines in Russian River. This wine has an aromatic nose with honeysuckle and key limes with an intense minerality.”
Kelly Sullivan, Boat International, September 2020
“Merry Edwards is more commonly known for its Pinot Noirs but this Russian River Sauvignon Blanc is a treat. Having been barrel-fermented, it’s got a rich texture and indulgent flavour. From notes of honey and toast to peach and juicy pineapple there’s also a dash of vanilla to round it all off. It’s a wine to savour and one to win over those who have sworn off Sauvignon Blanc.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, Feb. 16, 2021
“The Merry Edwards style of Sauvignon Blanc is more similar to what a top Bordeaux estate would produce rather than one coming from the Loire Valley. The 2018 fits that mold: lush, creamy and refined, with just a hint of the edginess for which the grape is known that keeps it in balance. It reminds you that Sauvignon Blanc can reach great heights in the right hands.”
John Vankat, Arizona Daily Sun, Feb. 3, 2021
“This distinctive Sauvignon Blanc surprised by easily meeting my criterion of richness for Valentine’s Day. Very expressive with gorgeous fruit, marvelous balance, excellent complexity and much more.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 1, 2019
“Merry’s Sauvignon is arguably one of the two finest Sauvignon Blancs made in America (Spottswoode being the other) and this vintage, her swan song as winemaker at her namesake winery, is a brilliant wine to end a brilliant career as one of America’s preeminent winemakers. The 2017 is all finesse and flavor, showing notes of white peach, citrus and wood spice. With exquisite balance and impressive length, it is a wine truly worthy of its author’s storied history.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator, March 2018
“Succulent and juicy, with fresh pineapple, marmalade, Key lime and papaya flavors that sing with purity and focus, set on a supple frame and featuring fresh acidity that weaves in and out. For all the intensity, this shows an effortlessness and elegance.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Jan. 2, 2018
“Merry Edwards came to Sauvignon Blanc grudgingly, although early in her career she first gained fame making wine from the so-called Bordeaux grape varieties. But those early successes were mostly red. Since she founded the winery that bears her name, her calling card has been Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, some of the finest in the world. She is known throughout California as the queen of Pinot Noir. Merry’s best-kept secret however is her Sauvignon Blanc, one of the two finest Sauvignons made in America. The other is Spottswoode. No one else is even close. Merry makes her Sauvignon in the Bordeaux style, lavishing it with oak. Not to worry. The fruit shines through. The 2016 exhibits enticing aromas of white peach, tangerine and tropical fruits. There’s a kiss of wood spice, too. On the palate this Sauvignon is rich and luscious, with mouth-watering acidity and truly remarkable length for a Sauvignon. The same wine made in Bordeaux (yes, it’s that kind of quality) would set you back $100 or more, so there’s value, too.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator, March 2017
“Supple and elegant up front, revealing layers of dried mango, honeysuckle, ripe melon and vivid peach flavors, all set on a creamy body, with plenty of pop from acidity. Finishes on an orange Creamsicle note.”
Lettie Teague, The Wall Street Journal, May 18, 2017
No. 1 on Lettie Teague’s Top 10 list: “Merry Edwards, famous for her Pinot Noirs, also makes a lush barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. She began barrel fermenting this varietal back in the 1970s—to make it ‘more interesting.’ She succeeded.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator Insider, Feb. 17, 2016
“Succulent, lush and rich, with fleshy mango, melon and peach flavors up front, leading to a core of pineapple, lemon and honeysuckle notes. The smoky edge and nervy acidity weave in and out, giving this a fresh finish.”
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, March 2016
“The beautiful 2014 Sauvignon Blanc shows copious quantities of melons, a touch of honeysuckle, crisp, fresh acid and a touch of wet-rock minerality. It is floral, medium-bodied and loaded with fruit, all good characteristics.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator Insider, June 24, 2015
“Light, smooth and lovely, with succulent white peach, pear, citrus and melon flavors that really sing with purity, showing juicy acidity and complexity. Whiffs of mango and white flowers complete the picture.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, Feb. 10, 2015
“This is the genius of Merry Edwards for all the world to see. The Grand Dame of California Pinot Noir also has a deft hand with Sauvignon Blanc. I would even venture to say her RRV Sauvignon is routinely among the top five Sauvignons made in America. The 2013 is remarkably complex, destroying the conventional wisdom that Sauvignons are simple and uninteresting over time. This vintage exhibits notes of white peach, tangerine, lemon oil, lime zest, orange blossom and an intriguing spice note. With mouth-watering acidity and nervy minerality, it is a Sauvignon that is alive and appealing and extremely genuine. Brilliant!”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator, Feb. 25, 2014
“Shows wonderful purity and focus to the honeydew melon, passion fruit, lime and pear flavors, with floral and mineral details. The texture is succulent and smooth, finishing with a bright acidity.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, December 2013
“There is no doubt Merry Edwards is the reigning queen of California Pinot Noir. But the lady doesn’t simply rest on her laurels; she also makes one of the finest Sauvignon Blancs, if not the finest Sauvignon Blanc, in the entire United States. … This vintage is a stunner, exhibiting complex aromas of peach and citrus, with floral overtones. It is well balanced, precise and utterly delicious.”
Prince of Pinot, June 23, 2013
“Moderate straw color and clear in the glass. Perfumed with lychee and floral notes, tasting of fresh melon, pear and pink grapefruit, and laced with bright acidity, this wine is highly versatile at the table. This beautifully crafted wine has none of the unpleasant grassiness found in many Sauvignon Blancs. One of my top two California Sauvignon Blancs.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, April 2013
“(A) round, rich, intense sauvignon blanc that could easily pass for a legendary Bordeaux blanc such as Domaine de Chevalier. There is a strong note of lychee and pear, with hints of spice, and a creamy texture on the palate. It’s difficult to remember a better California sauvignon than this one.”
California Grapevine, July 2013
“Medium-light golden yellow; attractive, slightly grassy, grapefruit and ripe pear aroma with light toasty notes and hints of lychee, fig, and vanilla … herbal, supple, slightly grassy, white peach and pear flavors with bright acidity, a trace of creamy oak, and a silky mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator, Aug. 31, 2013
“An aromatic white, with toasty, smoky notes up front that give way to peach blossom and honeysuckle details, balancing the ripe peach and nectarine flavors. Features firm acidity, a smooth body and a very spicy finish.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator, April 23, 2012
“Smooth and silky, with spicy details of nutmeg and quince joined by pure, ripe honeydew melon and cantaloupe flavors. Pear, lemon zest and apricot notes are elegant, lithe, and wonderfully juicy on the finish.”
Wine Review Online, November 2011
“Merry Edwards is best known for her stunning Pinot Noir. Soon she will be known for stunning Pinot Noir and stunning Sauvignon Blanc. Those who feel Sauvignon Blanc is never suave and sophisticated need to try this wine. The combination of a hint of the bite of Sauvignon Blanc and its palate-coating cream-like texture is captivating. The Yin Yang impression keeps you coming back for more. This is a gorgeous Sauvignon Blanc.” Michael Apstein,
California Grapevine, Dec. 2011-Jan. 2012 issue
“Attractive, slightly buttery, floral, melon and peach aroma with hints of grapefruit and a trace of minerality; medium-full body; fairly rich and fleshy in the mouth with a silky mouthfeel and flavors of melon, white peach, citrus, and sweet oak; lingering aftertaste. A very appealing and stylish wine with some complexity and elegance.”
2010 Food & Wine Magazine American Wine Awards, October 2010
“One of California’s surest hands with Pinot Noir, Edwards also makes this perfumed, arresting Sauvignon. Assembled from several Russian River Valley vineyards — some planted to the aromatic Musque clone — the wine combines tangerine and peach with Musque’s hard-to-define, not-quite-honeysuckle aroma.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wines, February 2010
“This newest rendition of a perennial CGCW favorite assumes its accustomed place at the head of the pack. It displays a rewarding sense of richness beneath its engaging freshness with elements of Crenshaw melons and green figs set against tailored oak spice and complimentary herbaceousness. It confirms the notion that Sauvignon Blanc is capable of real sophistication and class, and its combination of balance and polish promises to keep it in fine shape for years to come.”
Wine & Spirits Magazine, April 2010
“Merry Edwards consistently makes one of the cleanest, freshest sauvignons from her Russian River Valley grapes. This vintage is filled with honeyed citrus scents, lemon curd and fresh-cut apple flavors that last. It’s round enough for veal sausages roasted with apples.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator Insider, “Hot Wines,” May 5, 2010
“Effusively fragrant, with honeysuckle, apple blossom, peach and ripe melon flavors that are delicious, ripe and extremely mouthwatering, with an acidity that dances along the rich, creamy texture.”
MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator, May 31, 2009
“A rocket beam of vibrancy, with effusive honeysuckle notes, ripe honeydew melon, citrus, pear and apricot flavors that have amazing structure, depth and body. Ripe flavors end with a mouthwatering finish, where the mineral and spice details echo on and on.”
Robb Report, June 2009
“Although past recognition has focused primarily on irresistibly sophisticated reds, this marks the second year that we have chosen to honor Edwards for her only white wine, a sublime Sauvignon Blanc. Modeled on the style of Sauvignon Blanc that she made as the winemaker for Matanzas Creek Winery, the Merry Edwards 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley exhibits refreshing honeydew melon and pear fruit – in this case, spiked with hints of limoncello and mace that carry on through the finish.”
Wine Spectator, Aug. 31, 2008
“Distinctive, with rich melon, peach and nectarine flavors that are fleshy, spicy and complex. Ripe, elegant and focused.
San Francisco Chronicle, Dec. 28, 2007
“(I)mpeccably balanced …The French oak provides richness and helps give the wine amazing depth and complexity. Wonderfully concentrated floral, citrus and tropical fruit aromas and flavors.”
Wine & Spirits Magazine, June 2008
Wine Spectator, Aug. 31, 2007
“Elegant and graceful, with Asian pear, quince, melon, citrus, tangerine and herb flavors. Lithe and refreshing.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wines, March 2007
“(E)xceptional effort … full-bodied on the palate and very well-balanced… Youthfully exuberant at the finish and as solidly varietal as in its first impressions, this wine will age for years to come.”
Gerald Boyd, Wine Review Online, Jan. 3, 2006
“This is a delicious full-stop Sauvignon.”
Eric Asimov, The New York Times, Nov. 17, 2005
“We all loved the complexity of this wine. Alluring … complex, juicy, dry and refreshing.”
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, Nov. 2023
“Aromas of seaweed and umami with bark and sea salt as well as strawberry. Medium body. Red berries on the palate. Savory and flavorful. Yet agile. Ready to go.”
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, April 1, 2024
“Backed by singed anise and black tea accents, this bursts with mulberry and cherry notes. Offers a frankly toasty frame, but the fruit wins out easily. This will provide very tasty drinking in the near future.”
Tom Capo, Wine Enthusiast, October 2024
“Deeply colored and aromatically compelling, this Pinot gives waves of dark cherry, blackberry and black tea on the nose. The palate is rich and textured but juicy, with flavors of Bing cherry, cocoa powder and raspberry. A core of mouthwatering orange-peel acid holds down the finish.”
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com, July 2024
“The 2021 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast has a very pretty and lifted profile in its aromas of red berries and pepper spice, and it’s very rosy, with ultra-fine tannins. It has a silky texture and is evenly balanced. Very elegantly styled, I would encourage readers who were not fans of the old style to check this out. It’s approachable now, but it won’t be lost if held for another 8-10 years.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, May 2024
“The 2021 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a delight. Plump and forward, the 2021 offers up succulent dark cherry, plum, spice, licorice and new leather. Soft, plush contours wrap it all together. Readers will find a bold Pinot that is ready to provide pleasure.”
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, October 2023
“Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden says the aim is for red fruit and earth notes coupled with brighter acidity and brighter tannins, and this 2020 release showcases many of those qualities. Leads with crunchy red fruits all laced with cedar spices, and there are plenty of fresh, earthy pine forest notes to remind us we’re on the Sonoma Coast, where vineyards are surrounded by fog-soaked woodlands. Medium- to full-bodied, it’s undoubtedly a fuller expression of Pinot Noir laden with black cherry, cocoa nibs and an orange peel freshness framed by ironstone minerals, bay laurel and sagebrush.”
Audrey Frick, Jebdunnuck.com, August 2022
“The 2020 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is ripe with raspberry candy, crushed rose petal, and turned earth. The tannins in the 2020 are a touch more present and emerge on the finish, and it also has more warmth. Drink this over the next 10 years.”
Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, Feb-March 2023
“This broad and plummy wine offers abundant red and black fruit flavors, a smooth texture and good underlying balance. Moderate acidity and tannins give a little bite that perks up the considerable strawberry and black plum flavors.”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2022
“Aromas of spiced cherry, plum and fresh mint. Medium-to full-bodied with silky tannins. An interesting, well-balanced mix of fresh red and black fruit and savory spice. Good concentration.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, July 2022
“The 2020 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is scented of wild berry jam, blueberries, juniper and underbrush. The medium-bodied palate has a firm, slightly rustic texture, understated fruits and rounded freshness.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“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.”
Meridith May, The Tasting Panel, Jan/Feb 2022
“Earthy and regal, with thrilling aromas of white pepper, cherry bark, and red flowers. Spirited and spiced, with nutmeg and gingersnap weaving in between cinnamon-soaked cherry and dried heather. An earthy note lengthens the streamlined finish.”
Keith Beavers, VinePair, March 2022
“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.”
Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, July 2021
“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.”
Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, Sept. 30, 2021
“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.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“A whiff of light salinity takes you right by the ocean in the 2019 Sonoma Coast, which follows with teaberry and herbal undertones aromatically. Full-bodied, with light tannins, this shows off salty red fruits alongside kumquat zest, and stony undertones on the palate. Gorgeous now, enjoy this beauty over the next ten to twelve years.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits Magazine, April 2022
“Sunny red fruit flavors fill this wine with enough fresh fruit intensity to live up to its weighty extract. The spice of the tannins feel light and airy even as the wine’s lasting power drives that spice for minutes. It may bring back memories of raspberries growing on the side of a dirt road in summer.”
Isaac James Baker, Terroirist.com, January 2022
“Bright ruby color. So fresh and bright with strawberries and cherries, along with rose petals, white pepper and rhubarb. Crisp and fresh, lovely texture, slightly chewy but really fresh. Juicy strawberries and red cherries mix with tones of rhubarb, pepper, along with rose petals, nutmeg and bay leaf. Fun and fresh but complex, too. A great intro to the producer’s style.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast “Best of Year” Issue, January 2021
“Jammy plum, strawberry and dark cherry ooze from the core of this beautifully coastal wine, seasoned in dried herb, clove and black tea. Expressive and varietal, with a thick tannin structure, it has room to open further and unwind, its oak well integrated and its tannins structured.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, August 2020
“The 2018 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is another hugely appealing entry-level wine in this range. Freshly cut flowers, mint, white pepper and red cherry fruit give the Sonoma Coast Pinot a brilliant upper register to play off its mid-weight personality. Next to the Russian River Pinot, the Sonoma Coast is more linear and a bit less exuberant, but every bit as appealing.”
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, August 2020
“Pale to medium ruby, the 2018 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast has slowly opening scents of black tea leaves, burnt orange peel, earth and bright red berry fruits. The palate is light to medium-bodied with restrained, earthy fruits, a soft frame and juicy finish.”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, February 2021
“Changes abound at Merry Edwards Winery, one of California’s leading Pinot Noir producers. In 2019, Louis Roederer, the Champagne house, purchased the winery. With the 2018 vintage, Heidi von der Mehden, who worked with Merry Edwards since 2015, took the reins as winemaker. As these reviews show, the stunning quality of the wines remains the same. The 2018 Sonoma Coast bottling displays bright and lively red fruit character with savory nuances and a welcome hint of bitterness in the finish. It’s a “high-toned,” leaner style Pinot Noir that superbly reflects the cool coastal influences.”
Sarah Hyde, Town & Country House (UK), Oct. 24, 2020
“Merry Edwards began producing Pinot Noir in Sonoma County in 1976 and her wines deliver all the promise of Californian wine. The gorgeous 1970s-derived Art Nouveau labels with purple roses, indicate the Pinot Noir grape, from which, resident winemaker Heidi von der Mehden is currently creating nine different versions. Sonoma Coast 2018 bounces out of the bottle and into the glass; it is ripe, round and bountiful with an intensity of fruit but without any sticky sweetness. There are layers of flavours, which range from black cherry and plum to a hint of black scented tea and zest of orange peel. At 14 percent, this is one of the stronger wines in the selection, it is so well balanced the high alcohol content is not a problem and this wine leaves you feeling energised. Perfect for this time of year.”
Isaac Baker, The Terroirist, June 2020
“Ripe dark cherry color. Really aromatic, with black cherry preserves, raspberry jam, with rose petals, clove, cola, warm clay. Medium+ bodied, fresh acidity, silky tannins, it has a ripe but crisp feel throughout. Black cherries and raspberries mix with cranberry jam, spiced tea, clove and earth. This is a fresh, complex, delicious Pinot that covers a lot of different bases.”
Jamie Goode, Wineanorak, Oct. 24, 2020
“Sweetly aromatic with black cherry and blackberry notes as well as notes of tar and herbs and spice. The palate has nicely focused sweet black fruits which are ripe but not overripe, and some notes of cedar, clove and cinnamon from the oak. It’s a ripe Pinot Noir, but also a structured one, with a savoury edge to the fruit. Polished and quite stylish, with a noticeable oak imprint (44% new), this ticks a lot of boxes for those who like well made, potentially ageworthy Californian Pinot Noir.”
Ken’s Wine Guide, December 2020
“This ruby colored Pinot Noir from Merry Edwards opens with mild blueberry and black cherry bouquet with a hint of cola. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, round, elegant and smooth. The flavor profile is a very tasty gentle red plum with notes of nicely integrated fine minerality and maraschino cherry. I also detected hints of mild cola, white pepper and herbal tea. The finish is dry and its refined tannins and flavors drift away nicely. This graceful Pinot Noir would pair well with a filet mignon or fresh sliced Norwegian salmon.”
Fredric Koeppel, BiggerThanYourHead.net, April 2021
“The Merry Edwards Pinot Noir 2018, Sonoma Coast, offers a medium ruby-magenta color and aromas of red cherries, plums and currants highlighted by hints of cranberry, cloves and pomegranate, with some flinty-loamy minerality in the background; solid and supple in texture, it conjures elements of juicy and darkly evocative red fruit, forest floor and lightly sauteed mushrooms, all tied together with a strain of slightly dusty graphite minerality.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2020
“This blend of multiple vineyards impresses in its breadth and depth, offering creamy softness and robust yet supple tannin. Toasted oak, nutmeg, clove and brooding black fruit combine effortlessly along a medium-bodied thread of ripe-ness and weight, finishing in a measured richness of chocolate.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, April 2020
“Grown in the southernmost boundary of the Sonoma Coast in the Russian River Valley, six vineyards made up the blend of California and Burgundian Dijon clones for this elegant red. Aromas of cardamom-spiced cherry skins, briar, saddle leather and cola are a treasure to the nose. The impression of complexity and balance of acid and round tannins allow a generous juiciness on the palate. A slight grip on mid-palate includes flavors of espresso, blueberry and oak. The finish wakes up an earthy character, punctuated by cinnamon and black pepper.”
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, May 2020
“The 2017 Sonoma Coast sports a deep purple/plum color as well as a great bouquet of spiced blackberries, strawberries, scorched earth, violets, and foresty, earthy nuances. Playing in the medium-bodied, forward, sweetly fruited end of the spectrum, it has light tannins, terrific purity of fruit, and outstanding length.”
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits Magazine, April 2019
“A blend of five vineyards, this wine captures the fresh flavors of black raspberries, tiny wild blueberries and cool fir-tree notes. It’s completely ripe, almost inky in its richness, even as the structure keeps it skinny, wild and tense. A beautiful take on Merry Edwards’s rich style of pinot noir, this will satisfy wine drinkers looking for richness, as well as those looking for structure and freshness in their coastal reds.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 2019
“Sultry red fruit is seasoned in cardamom and baking spice with a lovely lilt of orange peel that accentuates the underlying acidity. Thick and concentrated on entry, the wine settles into a velvety smooth and floral expression of coastal crunchy fruit.”
Anthony Dias Blue, Tasting Panel magazine, November 2018
“Tangy cherry nose; silky and toasted, dense and juicy with ripe cherry and spicy flavors; rich, intense and elegant.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, April 2018
“The medium to deep ruby-purple colored 2015 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast has a very pretty nose of crushed red cherries, raspberry pie and baking spices with hints of rose petals, wild thyme and black tea. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled in the mouth, it features vibrant red fruits and a fine-grained yet firm frame, finishing long and lively.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, March 2018
“Gritty in oak, this coastal appellation wine is bright and herbal, offering crisp, vibrant overtones of cranberry, pomegranate, strawberry and rose. A streak of fresh mint and lavender adds floral elements that contribute to its lovely profile of delicate elegance, supported by mellowed oak.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator, December 2017
“Makes a strong initial push of generous plum and black cherry flavors, with touches of herb, cedar and spice, adding depth and dimension to the core fruitiness.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 2017
“Smooth and medium-bodied, this is a rounded, lovely expression of rhubarb compote and black tea that’s softly layered on the palate. Rose petals invite first before wild blueberry and nutmeg make their mark, supported by juicy acidity and a grippy length of tannin.”
California Grapevine, December 2016
“Medium ruby; attractive, forward, relatively intense, black cherry fruit aroma with hints of mushroom, Asian spice, and damp earth; medium to medium-full body; rich, textured, firmly structured, Bing cherry and red berry fruit flavors with hints of cola and vanilla, and some weight and textured in the mouthfeel; medium to medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, July 2016
“An easygoing, approachable wine with lush texture and characteristics of soy, black olive and forest floor, this wine leans savory and quite minerally, with spicy acidity giving it a kick on the palate. Savory and juicy, it expands on the finish into a lushness of velvety goodness.”
Rich Cook, Wine Review Online, June 14, 2016
“This is one of Merry Edwards’ appellation bottlings, and as usual, it’s a good one. I like the cola pizzazz here as it rides over the black cherry and fall spice. The wine is quite fruit driven, which may surprise you when trying it alongside the winery’s other offerings. It’s delicious now, and will take some cellaring with ease.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, March 2015
“A blend from five different Sonoma Coast vineyards, this is a delicious Pinot steeped in flavors of raspberry liqueur and pomegranate, light in texture and personality yet rich and spicy on the finish. The oak makes itself felt midpalate, a delicately smooth layering of toast and tannin, lovingly balanced by pleasing aromas of violet and cinnamon.”
Robb Report, “Host’s Guide,” November 2013
“Merry Edwards has a way with this varietal. In 2011, she extracted from this grape amazing perfumes of sweet cherry and raspberry and, on the palate, more fruit and a warm brioche note, as well as a supple body, bright acidity, and a rich finish.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, April 2013
“Bright saline notes frame expressive fruit in the 2010 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast. A beautifully layered wine, the 2010 impresses for its length, finesse and balance. I very much like the sense of precision and cut here. Sweet floral notes meld into red berries and spices in this striking, delineated wine. The 2010 Sonoma Coast is another winner from Merry Edwards.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, May 2012
“Made from eight vineyards located throughout this sprawling appellation, this wine showcases the art of the blend, and is an extraordinary achievement for its sheer opulence. Offers wave after wave of Pinot flavor, with superb tannins and mouthwatering acidity. The fact that this is Merry Edwards’s least expensive Pinot Noir is amazing and makes it a special buy.”
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Aug. 1, 2011
Hard to keep from falling in love with this wine. It’s so luscious in bright, spicy wild cherry, raspberry and root beer flavors, with a satiny texture and brilliant acidity.
Wine & Spirits magazine, “Year’s Best Pinot Noir,” April 2011
“This pinot noir has substantial weight and it also has drive, the flavors of bosky cherry, foresty mushroom and pine held tight within a rich texture. Oak contributes to the smoky scent and adds to the mineral tannin without blocking the clean fruit.”
Paul Hodgins, Orange County Register, November 7, 2008
“Bright, cherry-raspberry nose; sleek and only slightly oaked. It’s fairly light-bodied but definitely not wimpy, as some Pinots can be. It would be great with a salad of raspberries, gathered greens and bleu cheese crumbles.”
MSNBC.com, November 14, 2007
“This gorgeous wine was the biggest of the pinots we tasted, packed with bright cherry and notes of lemon and orange, vanilla and spice.”
Wine Enthusiast, March 2007
Greg Walter, PinotReport
“(G)ood structure and balance, long finish. Big and lush.”
California Grapevine, June-July 2004
“Very highly recommended.”
Greg Walter, publisher, PinotReport, October 2003
“This Pinot from Merry Edwards should be in every Pinot lover’s cellar. It’s not only great Pinot, but the incredible $27 price means you should try to get a case.”
Special Releases
James Isaac Baker, March 2024
“Pale copper color. The aromas are popping with all sorts of red apples, papaya, orange peel, and strawberry, with nuances of chalk dust and limestone. Add in some honeysuckle, whipped cream, bread crumbs, and almond skin and this is just a pleasure to sniff. On the palate, this wine is vibrant and with precise acidity but a rich textural depth, precise bubbles, and the balance is on point. Beautiful fruit expression, a mix of lemon, white peach, yellow apples, crunchy green pears, mixed with elegant tones of almond skin, lemon crème, honeyed white tea, chalk dust, bread crumbs, hints of shaved ginger. Beautiful richness/raciness combination, and the flavors are exciting and dynamic. I’m so glad they tried this wine, and it exceeded my high expectations.”
Cathrine Todd, April 2024
“Bewitching pale salmon color that has glints of copper that leaves one spellbound with citrus blossom, chalky minerality and candied ginger aromas that dance in one’s head with fine, tiny bubbles that caress the palate which is filled with vibrant red cranberries and quince paste flavors along the extremely long, bright finish. Magic captured in a bottle!”
Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, March 3, 2015
“(T)his is a monumental Pinot Noir, in the best sense of the word. One whiff predicts its grandeur. What follows is a glorious explosion of flavors — smoky, fruity, earthy — that flow seamlessly one into another. A hefty wine, its silky, velvety texture reinforces its overall gracefulness. Unlike red Burgundy, which I characterize as “flavor without weight,” Merry Edwards’ Angel Wing definitely has weight, but it’s not in what I call the “Pinot Syrah” category. Fresh and clean, its brightness makes it a joy to drink now. It’s a worthy tribute.
Anthony Dias Blue, The Tasting Panel magazine, December 2014
“Rich, ripe black cherry, cassis and spice on a dense, meaty texture, with lovely notes of toasty oak.
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2015
“A special bottling made by the producer to honor her late son, this wine is dark and brooding, offering a depth and warmth of baked plum and blackberry seasoned in cardamom, with a satisfying finish of coffee. With sizable tannin and oak, it suggests cellaring through 2022–2025 to enjoy further its complexity and concentration.”
Michael Apstein, winereviewonline.com, September 2009
“One whiff tells you this will be a great wine. Satiny smooth, it delivers an alluring combination of ripe black fruit and herbal savory notes. It walks the fine line of being intense and concentrated without being flamboyant or overdone. With the complexity and nuances of a great wine, it’s a joy to come back to sip after sip.”
Wine & Spirits Magazine – Year’s Best Pinot Noirs, April 2010
“The wine’s complexity centers on bosky cherry and floral spice. It has the round and luscious texture that Edwards achieves in her best pinots, this one balancing the warmth of alcohol with a structure that will benefit from years of development in the bottle.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, February 2016
“The 2013 Pinot Noir 40, made to celebrate Merry Edwards’ four decades making wine, is rich, luscious and nicely balanced, with plenty of dark, creamy fruit and terrific balance. Sweet black cherry, plum, cola, mocha and dark spices are fused together in this deep, textured Pinot Noir.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 2017
“Named for Edwards’ first grandchild born in this vintage year, this wine is made from fruit sourced from Meredith Estate Vineyard. Velvety smooth and perfumed, it offers piquant pepper and cardamom scents, along with intense rhubarb compote and raspberry flavors. It shows both purpose and quiet power, wrapped in violet and rose.”
Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online, July 2019
“This 20th anniversary cuvee is a blend of four different vineyards in the Russian River Valley. It’s a celebration in a glass, with richly layered black and red fruits; hints of wood spice and forest floor; and fine, beautifully integrated tannins. It’s a fitting tribute to California’s queen of pinot noir.”
Warrens’ Hill Pinot Noir
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
“Textured, gritty and grippy, with fascinating layers of blueberry, blackberry and dark cherry, this wine offers concentrated intensity and a wealth of tension. Forest floor, black tea and cardamom accents contribute additional contrast and complexity.”
Meridith May, The Tasting Panel, Jan/Feb 2022
“The nose of mulberry, Asian cooking spices, and black tea is phenomenal. Plum-skin tannins offer dryness on the entry, but the energy soon picks up to deliver the most dynamic palate of the four wines we tasted. Milk chocolate comes through on the mid-palate, joined by candied apple and a finish of rosebud and earth.”
Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com, Sept. 30, 2021
“The 2019 ‘Warrens’ Hill Vineyard’ is a tribute to the three significant Warrens’ in Merry’s life — Warren Miller, Warren Arnold and Warren Dutton. Intense and hedonistic once on the nose, this showcases tart red fruits that collide with tobacco leaf, orange zest and shades of freshly tilled soils. The palate is chewy and dense with bright acidity and a soft mouthfeel, with wonderful length. Beautiful to consume now, this has another fifteen years ahead of it.”
Isaac James Baker, Terroirist.com, January 2022
“Deep ruby color. Juicy plums and raspberries and cherries on the nose, airy but deep, laced with cola, rhubarb, rose petals, and lot of earthy, herbal and spice rub tones – exquisite to sniff. Vibrant acidity and suave tannins, wonderfully balanced, this is full but fresh with tangy strawberry and juicy black cherry fruit. There’s an underlying stony, mineral essence and an airy, floral quality throughout. Complex notes of earth, spice, pepper, red flowers, mint. Give this air and time, but it’s beautiful.”
Alder Yarrow, vinography.com, October 2021
“Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of bright cherry and cranberry fruit. In the mouth, fantastic acidity makes flavors of cherry and raspberry come alive and bounce across the palate. Faint, gauzy tannins coat the mouth, and flavors of citrus peel linger in the finish along with bright cherry. Excellent.”
Ken’s Wine Guide, Jan. 4, 2022
“This ruby colored Pinot Noir from Merry Edwards was very well-received by our mini-tasting group. It opens with cola, clove, and cinnamon bouquet with hints of vanilla. On the palate is medium bodied with medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is bright and juicy. The flavor profile is spiced plum and red raspberry blend with notes of cardamom and stony minerality. We also detected hints of blood orange and loam towards the end. The finish is dry, and its flavors and acidity linger and last for a very long time.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2020
“Sharp and tangy in crisp citrus, rhubarb and pomegranate, this lively, complex and structured wine shows secondary characteristics of forest floor, tea and dried herb. Moderately structured and ripe, it offers richness within a context of balance and grace.”
Meridith May, Tasting Panel magazine, Jan/Feb 2021
“A tribute to Merry Edwards’ son, who passed in 2006, as well as Warren Dutton, who established this site. Cherries plunge into savory cigar leaf, beetroot, and sage. The flavors lift and repeat, thanks to a bright acid structure, with added notes of apricot, plum and dried violets.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, February 2021
“Sturdier than the Bucher with its youthful tannins sticking out a bit, this wine is, accordingly, a bit closed-in at this writing, especially on the palate. Its promising aromas are possessed of tight, ripe black cherry fruit that are paralleled in style by the wine’s somewhat muscular palatal impressions. It is likely to last even longer than the Bucher entry, and it is always going to show off its structure in a more noticeable way. Give it five to eight years in bottle.”
Fredric Koeppel, BiggerThanYourHead.net, April 2021
“The color of the Merry Edwards Warren’s Hill Pinot Noir 2018, Russian River Valley, is dark purple-magenta shading to an ethereal violet rim; it’s a warm and appealing pinot noir, delivering notes of macerated red and black currants and cherries infused with cloves and sandalwood, blueberries and baked plums, with hints of wood smoke, cedar and tobacco; on the palate, the wine is characterized by soft, supple wood tones, a lithe and silky texture and deep, foresty fruit; it’s quite dry and develops some austerity on the graphite-tinged finish.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, November 2019
“As should be expected, the latest lot of new Pinot Noirs from this iconic producer counts more than a few successes, but this first-ever bottling from a site named for three significant “Warrens” in Merry’s life jumps out and claims a place at the very head of an accomplished class. Its intense, extraordinarily deep and keenly varietal aromas show layers and layers of ripe cherries, cola, creamy oak and subtle accents of minerals, and its equally complex, fully packed flavors are every bit as deep and compelling. While we must admit that it is so tasty and involving that we would happily accept a glass or two if offered right now, it has the balance and ineffable pedigree of an exceptionally cellar-worthy offering that will keep gaining interest well beyond its tenth anniversary.”
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, November 2019
“This wine is named after two good friends of the producer with the first name Warren, Dutton and Arnold, as well as her late son. An inaugural release from a steep site in Green Valley, it explodes in a rich berry flavor and is exuberantly floral and earthy on the nose and palate. It has a stemmy intensity of baked fruit, forest and black tea that dances around firm, structured tannins.”
