Merry Edwards Vineyard & Winemaking Background

Merry Edwards Vineyard & Winemaking Background

The Meredith Estate holds a special place in Merry Edwards’ portfolio—it was the first vineyard she planted in 1998 on a former apple orchard in the Sebastopol Hills, part of the cool, fog‑shrouded southern Russian River Valley. Today, it's farmed sustainably, with organic practices and meticulous canopy and moisture management. The slope, Goldridge sandy loam soils, and classic Dijon and UCD clones contribute to its signature style.

For the 2022 vintage, grapes were hand‑picked on September 3, destemmed, cold‑soaked for five days, fermented whole‑berry, and aged 10 months in 56% new French oak before bottling in August 2023.

Tasting Notes & Style

Appearance & Aroma: Displays a deep garnet hue. On the nose: lush notes of dark plum, Bing cherry, violets, roses, black olives, even soy and licorice—all layered together in a complex bouquet.

Palate: Rich and mouthwatering—flavors of black cherry, boysenberry, cedar, pipe tobacco, earthy mushroom, leather, and toasty oak. A striking combination of brooding power and refreshing acidity.

Structure & Finish: Broad, velvety tannins gracefully support the dark fruit core, while earth and spice notes linger on a long, polished finish.

Critic Scores & Reviews

• Jeb Dunnuck (92 pts): A powerful, cherry‑focused wine, best enjoyed over the next 8–10 years; appreciates with air Astor Wines & Spirits+15MMD USA+15Empire Wine+15.
• James Suckling (95 pts): Praises its umami, bitter chocolate, juicy orange complexity and brilliant tension MMD USA.
• Vinous (94 pts): Highlights dark fruit, leather, mocha, incense, licorice—brooding yet expressive; recommends cellaring a bit MMD USA+8MMD USA+8Serendipity Wines+8.
• Wilfred Wong (96 pts, Wine.com): “Vivid aromas of ripe blackberries, crushed minerals, licorice, and toasty oak... long, elegant finish.” Wine.com.
• Average Wine‑Searcher Price: About $111 ex‑tax; 14.5% ABV; classic, age‑worthy RRV pinot with savory profile, ideal with duck or game Wine-Searcher+1Reddit+1.

Drinking Window & Food Pairings

Cellaring potential: 2024–2035 (some sources suggest 2024–2029, others longer) Wine-Searcher. It’s approachable now with decanting, yet gains complexity with 2–4 years of bottle age.

Food Pairings:

• 🍽️ Grilled lamb chops, porcini risotto, pan‑seared duck breast, or cedar‑planked salmon—each complements the tannic depth and savory notes concierge.totalwine.comWine-Searcher.

In‑Cellar Reflections

Reddit users report the 21 and 19 vintages as “deep, lush, layered” and “fruit‑forward,” yet often benefit from a few years of patience. Expect a similarly structured evolution with 2022.

Bottom Line

The 2022 Merry Edwards Meredith Estate Pinot Noir is a masterclass in balanced power and elegance. From its expressive varietal presence to structured complexity, it delivers a deeply satisfying profile now and will reward those who cellar it for a few more years. Whether paired with game or cherished solo, it’s a flagship Pinot that redefines Russian River Valley excellence.

Score estimate: 94–96 pts.

🍽️ Serving tip: Open an hour before drinking or decant; serve at 60–65 °F to bring forward aromatic and flavor layers.

Pro tip: Best to open tonight or stash away until 2027 for peak expression. Cheers!