We all sat and listened, mouths wide open as Merry spoke. This was a very special occasion taking in Merry’s account of her storied wine journey during her wine dinner in Naples, Florida. It was an absolute joy to hear her story roughly one year ago, as she is truly one of the iconic women in world wine. Nobody makes Sauvignon Blanc just like her and her winemaking style has landed her several times on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list.
Merry began her career in 1973. She sought to plant her own vineyards where she could capture flavors through site-specific viticulture. In 1996, she purchased 24 acres of sloping hillside in the southern hills of Russian River Valley, intent on growing Pinot Noir on this promising site. With her husband, Ken Coopersmith, as her helpmate, Merry planted 20 acres of vineyard at Meredith Estate in 1998 and harvested a small crop in 2000. In 1999 Merry and Ken expanded the brand’s estate program by purchasing 9.5 acres on Laguna Ridge in the heart of Russian River Valley and planted in 2001. The first Coopersmith Pinot Noir released was a 2004 and this esteemed site is where Merry Edwards winery first began.
It was an honor interviewing her after the dinner, as she talked about how she crafts her wines, sourcing from some of the great sites in Sonoma County. For many years I have enjoyed visiting her winery and tasting some of her new and older vintages. For two years Merry Edwards has had Heidi von der Mehden as winemaker. Heidi trained under Merry and has hit a home run with her new releases. I was blown away with her 2018 Pinot Noir wines and the 2018 Merry Edwards ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) has awesome poise and salty character from this AVA. Even better was the sinfully good 2018 Merry Edwards ‘Coopersmith’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) which its dense and shows exotic tones on the bouquet. One of the great sites for Pinot Noir in California, the 2018 Merry Edwards ‘Klopp Ranch’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 95) is sensational and vibrant, yet shows its earthy, Burgundian elegance. This is truly one for any serious collector of California Pinot Noir. Learn more about this famed Russian River outpost at merryedwards.com Here are the gorgeous new releases by Merry Edwards.
2017 Merry Edwards ‘Olivet Lane Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2017 ‘Olivet Lane Vineyard’ Chardonnay is an awesome new wine from this storied estate. On the nose this shows toasted hazelnut tones that combine with vanilla cream and shades of Pazzaz apple that all take shape in the glass. The palate is beautifully textured and shows a seamless effect that is highly gratifying. Layers of buttercream combine with Bosc pear and citrus rind accents. A complete wine, the gorgeous 2017 ‘Olivet Lane Vineyard’ Chardonnay will provide drinking enjoyment for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2018 Merry Edwards ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir is sourced from six different vineyard in the AVA. On the nose the saline drenched red fruits entice, with suggestions of charcuterie and damp earth accents. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a great veil of salinity that races through the bright Bing cherry, pomegranate seed, cola and Mandarin orange rind flavors with shades of white truffle. Complex and delicious in its youth, the 2018 ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir will provide drinking enjoyment for a decade to come. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2018 Merry Edwards ‘Coopersmith’ Pinot Noir- Merry Edwards and her husband, Ken Coopersmithm, purchased a 9.5-acre apple orchard in 1999 and planted this Russian River Valley location to Pinot Noir. Cran-cherry and cola tones combine with shades of potpourri on this beautiful bouquet. The palate has a marvelous sense of freshness and astringency as layers of bright red fruits dance with Satsuma orange zest, exotic spices and a lovely saline streak. Vibrant and full of life in its youth, the outstanding 2018 Merry Edwards ‘Coopersmith’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2018 Merry Edwards ‘Olivet Lane’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Olivet Lane Vineyard’ was first planted nearly forty years ago and it has been several decades since Merry Edwards has been sourcing from this esteemed site in the Russian River Valley. On the nose this takes on tones of cola and cranberry with damp soil and shades of wild mushroom that all meld in the glass. The palate is beutifully textured, creating a seamless effect that catches you off-guard. The length and generous red fruits with damp earth and orange zest tones all sing in harmony. Fantastic and downright captivating to enjoy in its youth, the gorgeous 2018 ‘Olivet Lane’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2038- 95
2018 Merry Edwards ‘Klopp Ranch’ Pinot Noir- I have long admired wines from this famed site as Merry Edwards seems to have a deft touch on this site the Russian River Valley. Set on sandy loam soils, the 2018 ‘Klopp Ranch’ Pinot Noir shows suggestions of white truffle shavings and cola that meld with Mandarin orange rind and Yakima cherry aromatics. The palate is seamless, showing light tannins that frame a big core of bright red fruits, with cola, damp earth and cardamom tones that sing in unison. The combination of freshness, verve, mouthfeel and weight is seriously good. While enticing to savor now, the 2018 ‘Klopp Ranch’ Pinot Noir will provide drinking enjoyment for at least fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 95