2021 Merry Edwards ‘Meredith Estate’ Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

WE96 This deep-garnet-colored wine is an exercise in enthusiasm. Raspberry, blackberry, cocoa and orange peel aromas on the nose are turned up to eleven, while the saturated palate gives crème de cassis, licorice and fried shiitake flavors for minutes on end. This is Pinot that’s built for steak, lamb or mushroom dishes. Patience will be rewarded here, if you can resist the immediate charm.
JS96 Fascinating aromas to this with dark fruits and flint with iron shavings. Ink. Bark and mushroom. Full-bodied with juicy supple tannins. Deep and serious. Dark at the end. Thoughtful complexity.
DEC96 The Meredith Estate is wholly enticing, with a richly aromatic dark berry and sweet spiced nose nuanced by espresso and toasted cedar wood that merely hints at the delicious wine to come. Full-bodied and exceedingly powerful, sporting succulent dried Bing cherry, clove and tangerine peel framed by velvety chocolate-tinged tannins. It’s a beautifully voluminous Pinot Noir that is irresistibly fresh and lifted by zesty acidity while never shying from its unapologetic, deeply penetrating core of juicy, young, sweet fruit. A balanced finish brings the wine right into focus.