Merry Edwards, Coopersmith Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California, 2017

Overview of the Wine
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.

Grape / Blend
100% Pinot Noir

Origin
Russian River Valley, California, 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
This designate, named after my husband, Ken, became a favorite with customers almost as soon as it was first released. Like Ken, the wines are generous and full-bodied, reflecting their UCD37 heritage and terroir, grown here on the sandy Laguna Ridge in Sebastopol. To hold the vigor of the vines in check, the vineyard is farmed without tilling the soil. This allows carbon dioxide to remain sequestered — a real contribution to supporting our environment in this time of climate chaos. The trademark aroma of this luscious Pinot greets us — a profuse mélange of deep, dark fruit highlighted with rich cocoa powder and chocolate. Blackberry preserves, cassis and dark cherry are complemented with black tea, a bit of tar and a hint of roses. Toasty François Frères oak is another signature as this wine chose this cooperage upon its first christening in barrel in 2004. The effect is a pronounced savory aspect of charcuterie and bacon. A showy, expressive Pinot, it has broad, succulent tannins and good acid balance. Cocoa resurfaces and lingers on the finish. This is a powerhouse wine that will release its energy over a long lifetime in bottle. Please enjoy this recipe for Merry’s Crispy Oven Baked Chicken. The skin gets nice and crispy while the sweet potatoes remain moist and succulent. I also make this substituting heritage potatoes from our garden. The juicy chicken and earthiness of the dish are a nice accompaniment to our Coopersmith Pinot. Ken’s Idaho roots also make this an appropriate pairing.

Product Size: 750ml