The hits preserve coming from Merry Edwards, together with this assortment of chardonnay and pinot noir wines which are excellent for fall sips. These are all from the 2022 classic, with a number of alternatives from Anderson Valley.
You already know the drill. Let’s dig in.
2022 Merry Edwards Chardonnay Anderson Valley – A bit of skinny, a little bit inexperienced. There’s extra of a mineral overtone to this chardonnay than I used to be anticipating, and the wine by no means fairly develops to the place it must be on the palate. Whereas a vivid inexperienced apple high quality dominates, it comes throughout as comparatively unripe and just a bit bitter, notably because it warms up. Dry as a bone, I used to be trying to find one thing to chop by the salinity, however by no means fairly discovered it. It clearly wants the appropriate meal to assist stability out its stony face. B / $45
2022 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – The rack bottling of Merry Edwards pinot noir is partaking and on level, although there’s not plenty of dramatic heft to it. That’s not a slight. Merry Edwards’ wines can typically be complicated to the purpose of daunting, however this expression reads like a “biggest hits” of every little thing that makes Merry nice. Chewy and vibrant with each cherry and raspberry notes, the wine slowly layers in spices to showcase notes of mint and clove in equal proportion, settling into a delicate, earthy groove because it finds its eventual touchdown spot. Touches of orange peel add some brightness to the end, making this a little bit delight that works nicely in nearly any scenario. A- / $60
2022 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Anderson Valley – A hearty tackle pinot from Merry Edwards from vineyards exterior the Russian River residence base. Intense notes of Maraska cherry and raspberry dominate, touched with mild brushings of rosemary and a lingering vanilla bean be aware. Darkish chocolate syrup emerges because the wine develops, although there’s loads of acidity to brighten up the physique and intensify the give attention to the cherry parts. Baking spices linger on a end that sees each a pinch of brown sugar and a touch of balsamic. This is able to be an impressive companion with a seared duck breast. A- / $55
2022 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Dach Anderson Valley – A extra nuanced tackle the above wine from a single winery in Anderson Valley. Right here these Maraska cherries meld with a extra floral character, lacing the wine with perfumed jasmine, adopted by mint and notes of soothing vanilla. Gentle on its toes and by no means heavy, the wine’s acidity stays a guidepost all through the expertise — and the contact of milk chocolate on the end is a beautiful addition. The balsamic edge on the usual Anderson Valley bottling is lacking right here, making for a extra summery encounter and making for a stable standalone possibility. That mentioned, it’s an exquisite wine to pair with lighter meals, too. Immensely quaffable. A / $75
2022 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Coopersmith Russian River Valley – A harder, earthier expression of pinot noir, with some balsamic evident. Gently smoky at occasions, the wine leans on its tannins greater than different expressions on this roundup. The top consequence is a reasonably savory expertise that options extra beefy notes atop stewed cherries and a contact of prune. The 14.5% abv is noticeable on this one, which feels heady and a little bit vaporous. With the appropriate pairing (assume steak) this heartiness can work wonders, however the vibrance of pinot noir isn’t readily seen by itself. B+ / $70
2022 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Olivet Lane Russian River Valley – At first not dissimilar to the Coopersmith expression above, although lightened up significantly. The wines diverge with a little bit of time to linger, with insistent parts of baking spice and toasted oak mingling in opposition to an underbelly of raspberry and cherry. The mint right here is more energizing and extra aromatic, extra floral, and time in glass helps the wine develop additional, shaking off any extra aggressive qualities and letting a end of orange peel and cardamom linger. Because of its mere 13.7% abv, it showcases a cleaner and extra refreshing conclusion, which is welcome. A- / $75
2022 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Georgeanne Russian River Valley – A transparent best-in-breed pinot for this spherical of wines, Georgeanne is wealthy and effusive, expressive up high in its lush give attention to cherry and boysenberry notes. Maybe essentially the most fruit-forward wine on this assortment, the bottle slowly makes room for a formidable florality, its flowery parts variously touched with expressed orange oil, milk chocolate, and a smattering of baking spices. All of this coalesces superbly right into a wine that finally evokes a sure Jap perspective, frivolously touched with notes of saffron, hibiscus, and the hookah den — weirdly psychedelic. Ephemeral and immersive, it’s the proper conclusion to this intensive and diverse exploration of the 2022 classic. A / $70
2022 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Olivet Lane Russian River Valley
$75
