The Time and Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Event: Portfolio tasting with Merry Edwards of Sonoma Valley.
The Venue: Vertical Restaurant, First Canadian Place
The Target Audience: wine writers
The Availability/Catalogue: all current vintages are available through
the agent, Stem Wine Group (www.stemwinegroup.com)
The Quote/Background: Merry Edwards has been a winemaker for many
wineries over the years (she's gone through 37 vintages). Now she has
her own, with labels designed by David Lance Goines who also does
Ravenwood and Chez Panisse. She's quite deft with her pinots, using a
variety of clones (Pommard, Dijon 777, Dijon 828, 667, 1115, and her
own California selection UCD37. Complexity is introduced by the art of
blending. The Russian River Valley provides most of her fruit, and both
she and her partner Ken Coopersmith have their own estate vineyards.
Basically, Ken grows grapes, Merry makes wine. Everything is
sustainably grown, with organic components such as the compost. The
team specializes in old vines and detailed water management programs.
They make a juicy white wine, Sauvignon Blanc, from the musque variety,
with light toast barrel fermenting. This started as a dinner wine for
their parties, but it now produces 8,000 cases.
The Wines:
The Event: Portfolio tasting with Merry Edwards of Sonoma Valley.
The Venue: Vertical Restaurant, First Canadian Place
The Target Audience: wine writers
The Availability/Catalogue: all current vintages are available through
the agent, Stem Wine Group (www.stemwinegroup.com)
The Quote/Background: Merry Edwards has been a winemaker for many
wineries over the years (she's gone through 37 vintages). Now she has
her own, with labels designed by David Lance Goines who also does
Ravenwood and Chez Panisse. She's quite deft with her pinots, using a
variety of clones (Pommard, Dijon 777, Dijon 828, 667, 1115, and her
own California selection UCD37. Complexity is introduced by the art of
blending. The Russian River Valley provides most of her fruit, and both
she and her partner Ken Coopersmith have their own estate vineyards.
Basically, Ken grows grapes, Merry makes wine. Everything is
sustainably grown, with organic components such as the compost. The
team specializes in old vines and detailed water management programs.
They make a juicy white wine, Sauvignon Blanc, from the musque variety,
with light toast barrel fermenting. This started as a dinner wine for
their parties, but it now produces 8,000 cases.
The Wines:
**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007, $79.99
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007 Coopersmith, $94.99
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007 Meredith Estate,
$94.99 – best wine of the current releases
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2003 Meredith Estate,
N/A
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2003, N/A
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007, $79.99
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007 Coopersmith, $94.99
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007 Meredith Estate,
$94.99 – best wine of the current releases
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2003 Meredith Estate,
N/A
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2003, N/A
***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2009, $59.99 –
14.1% ABV
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2007, $67.99
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007 Olivet Lane, $99.99
-Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2009, $59.99 –
14.1% ABV
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2007, $67.99
-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007 Olivet Lane, $99.99
The Food: frisee salad and asparagus; spaghetti guitarra with veggies,
cheese, and pork; grilled duck breast with grilled veggies; biscotti
and coffees. We had a selection of pinot noirs from the tasting.
The Downside: there was a threat of rain amongst the heat.
The Upside: many chances to talk with Merry Edwards and her partner Ken
Coopersmith.
The Contact Person: robert@stemwinegroup.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 93.
cheese, and pork; grilled duck breast with grilled veggies; biscotti
and coffees. We had a selection of pinot noirs from the tasting.
The Downside: there was a threat of rain amongst the heat.
The Upside: many chances to talk with Merry Edwards and her partner Ken
Coopersmith.
The Contact Person: robert@stemwinegroup.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 93.
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