Merry Edwards Winery, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2018

 Changes abound at Merry Edwards Winery, one of California’s leading Pinot Noir producers.  In 2019, Louis Roederer, the Champagne house, purchased the winery.  With the 2018 vintage, Heidi von der Mehden, who worked with Merry Edwards since 2015, took the reins as winemaker.  As these reviews show, the stunning quality of the wines remains the same.  The 2018 Sonoma Coast bottling displays bright and lively red fruit character with savory nuances and a welcome hint of bitterness in the finish.  It’s a “high-toned,” leaner style Pinot Noir that superbly reflects the cool coastal influences.