Pinot Noir
75cl * Vegan * Sustainable * 14.0% ABV * Santa Barbara, California
Merry Edwards is like her wines – an intricate blend of artistic vision and scientific training, with a passion for the natural environment. She began her winemaking career in 1974, producing prized Pinot Noir. At home in the Russian River Valley since 1977, Edwards has meticulously explored its hills, pockets, slopes and hollows, discovering small sites which, with the right rootstock, clone and farming techniques, produce exceptional quality grapes. This assemblage of different Pinot Noir vineyards and clones from parcels across the Sonoma Coast showcases Merry’s skill as a blender.
The exotic aroma of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2018 shows off spicy notes of cardamom, tamarind, allspice and cinnamon. This expands into mouth-watering candied red cherries and berry fruits: red raspberries, wild strawberries, ripe boysenberries and juicy blackberries. Cocoa nibs, cola, white chocolate, candied violets, crème brûlée, caramel and just a hint of blood orange add layers of complexity. The palate echoes the theme of the aroma — intensified. The tannins are round and full, accented by bright acidity. Finely integrated oak complements the fleshy, succulent fruit mouthfeel. Unctuous flavours then taper into a satisfying, spicy black pepper finish.
"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." 94/100 Points Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
"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." 92/100 Points Antonio Galloni
"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." 91/100 Points The Terroirist