Winemaker Notes
The wine has a soft entry that develops into a smooth yet firm palate that increases in intensity toward the finish. Tannins are fine grained, and the balanced acidity creates a mouthwatering sensation. Anise, dark fruit, chocolate and cassis form accents. In the glass, we can see this Pinot virtually unfold, promising a brilliant future.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
From a Middle Reach site along Westside Road, this robust, earthy wine is strong in firm tannin and overall structure. Earthy and bright in underlying acidity, it dazzles in dark, rich flavors of strawberry, blueberry and dried herb, a whiff of white pepper lurking. A finishing touch of dark chocolate leaves one wanting more.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From 100% Pommard clone vines, the 2017 Pinot Noir Flax Vineyard is medium ruby-purple in color and coiled on the nose, slowly giving way to raspberries, strawberries and red cherries with accents of aniseed, amaro, lilac and tangerine. It’s medium-bodied and silky with bitters-laced berry fruits, framed by lightly chalky tannins and finishing very long and fresh. This is approachable now but merits a bit more time in bottle.
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Wine Spectator
A spicy style, with ripeness to the dark cherry, blackberry tart and dark currant flavors, matched to forest floor accents. Slate and graphite overtones show on the finish, revealing firm tannins. Drink now through 2024.
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.