Winemaker Notes
You'll first notice the beautiful garnet color followed by fragrances of vanilla cola, black raspberry, fresh thyme and plum compote. On entry, the mouthfeel is soft and lush, with notes of black cherry, plum, cassis and milk chocolate. Juicy acidity bonds with structured tannins and lifts the long, spicy finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2022 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir express fruit explosions on the palate. TASTING NOTES: Enjoy its bright and wild red fruits with grilled pork kebabs. (Tasted: May 12, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Spectator
An enticingly ripe version, with a mix of black cherry, raspberry and boysenberry coulis notes joining licorice, bramble and singed apple wood accents. The juicy, engaging finish feels full of life. Drink now through 2032.
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.