Merry Edwards, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2010

Explosive. But not flamboyant or bombastic. This current release from Merry Edwards, Coopersmith, from a vineyard on Laguna Ridge just west of Sebastopol that she and her husband, Ken Coopersmith, own, captures the essence of the grape–its ability to transmit flavor without weight. Perhaps the most complete of this trio at this stage, it has a beautiful marriage of minerality and subtle dark fruit flavors. Though striking, nothing is obvious, except its overall stature. It forces you to concentrate on the flavors and watch how they emerge. Its harmony is captivating. Fans of Pinot Noir should not miss this one.