Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2019 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane has broody aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, violet, fir and turned earth. The palate is bold, powerfully fruited, firm and fresh with loads of floral accents and a very long finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Dark berry fruit compote comes to mind in this designate from the well-known vineyard, long a staple for the producer. The richness is balanced by a gravelly texture and undertones of forest and black tea.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from a vineyard in the Russian River and vines planted in 1973, the 2019 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane is another terrific, classic, impeccably made Pinot Noir from this estate. Deep ruby-hued, with lots of ripe darker strawberry and cherry fruits, it's medium-bodied, has notable structure, some classic Pinot Noir forest floor and sappy herbs, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's going to benefit from a year or so of bottle age and keep through 2031.
Rating: 93+
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.