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Monday, January 24, 2022

Merry Edwards' 2019s are singing

Merry Edwards’ wines likely need no introduction. The reputation of this winery is hard-earned and well-deserved. And I’m always excited to taste new releases from this Sonoma producer.

Year-in, year-out, the wines deliver, and the style and quality have remained remarkably consistent. On cold nights like the ones we’ve been having in the Mid-Atlantic, a Merry Edwards Pinot Noir is always a great call. From years of introducing friends and family to these wines, I can confirm they are universally loved.

I recently tasted through the 2019s, and — wow. A very solid growing season led to beautiful wines in the glass, deep but fresh, and the balance and staying power is there. I can’t wait to taste more 2019 Sonoma Pinots and see how they improve in the cellar.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2019 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
SRP: $54
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. (92 points)

2019 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Bucher ­ USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $63
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. (94 points)

2019 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Warrens’ Hill – USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley
SRP: $70
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. (94 points)

2019 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Meredith Estate – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $80
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. (95 points)

2019 Merry Edwards Chardonnay Olivet Lane Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $68
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. (93 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Sunday, January 9, 2022

New Wines from California & Arizona

I hope your new year is off to a good start. I’m starting off the year with some wines from two places I love, California and Arizona.

Mendocino County is a place I’ve spent enough time visiting to realize, again and again: I need to spend more time here. The gnarly coast is one of my favorite places, and the wines from all the different AVAs have a lot to offer. I’ve been paying close attention to Mendocino wines over the past 15 years, and there’s a lot to offer. Meyer Family is a good one to check out – based in the Yorkville Highlands, and they also have a tasting room in Mendocino. I first tasted a 2003 Syrah from them that rocked me, and it was a pleasure to revisit their recent offerings.  

I also have some delicious wines from Sonoma, including an interesting white blend Sosie and a banger of a Cab-based red from Hamel Family. I also have a bright, zesty Monterey Pinot Noir that wowed me.

For the first time in two years, I traveled out of my region, and visited family in Arizona over the holidays. I’m a big fan of Arizona wines, and bought some Page Springs Cellars and Dos Cabezas ahead of time for the family dinners. (The wines were great.) The landscape in Arizona fascinates me so, and I’ve spent countless hours hiking and climbing in the desert mountains. And I love that, turns out, a lot of cool people make really good wine out there, too. Most of the winelands are in higher elevation sites, there are always mountains nearby, and winemakers working with diverse grapes and styles. Two wines from Aridus are represented here. Based in Willcox, their wines are more widely available than some others. If you ever find yourself in Old Town Scottsdale, their tasting room is a nice place and a fun visit.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

Thursday, January 6, 2022

DC, the Wood Thrush and Democracy


On 1/6/2021, I was in Rock Creek Park, DC, birdwatching. There was nobody around and I was trying to clear my head, listening for birds. And then the phone began buzzing. The silence of the woods was broken by way-more-than-usual levels of helicopter activity, and incessant, far-off sirens. My wife texted me to head home now, but I was already on the way.

On 1/6/2022, I was in Rock Creek Park, DC, birdwatching. There was nobody around, and the snow was slushy. DC's official bird, this wood thrush, was singing and strutting. All was quiet except for its song and my crunchy footsteps. I took my time and enjoyed its song and watching it flutter through the winter woods, far longer than usual.

May all future Januarys in this town be as peaceful as today. On 1/6/2025, I hope to be in Rock Creek Park, DC, birdwatching. I hope dearly it is a calm, uneventful day.

Endless respect for those many officers who fought to defended the Capitol, Americans' elected officials, and democracy itself -- as corny as that may sound.