Merry Edwards Russian River Pinot Noir (375ML half-bottle) 2020
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
This brilliant, burgundy-hued wine immediately offers up fragrances of mixed berries, Bing cherry, cola, candied violets and black tea along with exotic spices and dried herbs. On the palate, there is a compelling mix of broad tannins and minerality, along with a seductive measure of smoky oak balanced with juicy acidity. Black plum, brambleberry, cassis and wet slate create a layered and lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
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 Suckling
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. Best after 2025.
-
Wine Spectator
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. Best from 2023
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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.
Rating: 90?
Other Vintages
2021-
Panel
Tasting
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Panel
Tasting -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Guide
Connoisseurs'
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine & -
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Spectator
Wine
Merry Edwards Winery was founded in 1997 and produces critically acclaimed terroir-driven Pinot Noirs and Sauvignon Blanc using site-specific viticulture in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast appellations. Over two decades, Merry assembled a stellar collection of vineyards and with her meticulous attention to detail crafted Pinot Noirs of immense depth, elegant structure and exceptional longevity. Her Sauvignon Blanc is among the most sought after in the world.
Now a Certified California Sustainable Winery, the brand entered a new chapter after Merry’s retirement. Merry’s handpicked successor, Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden, and Winery President Nicole Carter have taken up exactly where Merry left off and will continue to make wines treasured by legions of Merry Edwards’ fans well into the future.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.