2016 Meredith Estate Pinot Noir

Winemaker's Comments

Our beautiful vineyard has a stunning view of Mount Saint Helena to the northeast and the rolling Sebastopol Hills to the south. Its perfect orientation to the sun allows fruit to ripen somewhat earlier in the season than would be expected from its cool-climate location. Meanwhile the row direction protects the fruit from excess heat and sunburn — a winning combination.

All grapes harvested from the site are fermented in discrete lots so that individual clones can be treated respectfully. Dijon 667 is highly successful on this site and thus forms a strong foundation for this stunning wine. Highlights of the Swan selection, my own UCD37 and Dijon 777 round out and add complexity to the overall blend.

This Meredith’s opaque purple color is our first sensory clue to its dramatic nature. The expansive fruit profile nearly leaps out of the glass with exotic wild berry, sweet brambleberry pie, boysenberry, raspberry fruit leather and lingonberry. Strong floral notes of roses and violets are joined by scents of oolong tea and spicy, toasted oak.

A rich, full entry expands into a deep, bold palate — rich and broad in structure. Thick, mouth-coating tannins combined with mouthwatering acidity give this Pinot playful vitality and energy. The finish is memorable for its powerful elegance.

Brandied Rabbit with Fresh Morels is a recipe I created to pair with my namesake wine. The morels complement the wine’s sumptuous fruit character. This dish pairs nicely served with rustic wheat noodles and garden fresh broccoli. Enjoy!

Critical Acclaim

95 points

The 2016 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate has a deep ruby-purple color and gregarious nose of black cherry liqueur, baked blackberries and blueberry compote with notes of black pepper, soil and spice. Medium to full-bodied with concentrated, dark juicy fruit in the mouth, it has firm, grainy tannins and a layered, spicy finish.

Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate, April 30, 2019

97 points

"Merry Edwards’ Meredith Estate Pinot Noir is always one of my favorites in her line-up. Is it a stand out because it’s one of her own vineyards, purchased and planted about 20 years ago? Whatever the reason, the 2016 is particularly magnificent. Big, yet surprisingly not boisterous, it has refinement that is unusual for a wine with this power. Despite its size, it has the quintessential element, at least for me, of Pinot Noir -- a weightlessness. Great vigor and energy keep it balanced and you coming back for more. Each sip reveals more amazement -- how can so much flavor continue to emerge? While I am enthusiastic about all her 2016 Pinot Noirs, there’s an extra dimension to the Meredith Estate.

Michael Apstein, Wine Review Online, Dec. 11, 2018

90 points / Very Highly Recommended

"Medium purplish ruby; deep, intense, ripe, spicy, black cherry, and red and dark berry fruit aroma with a floral note, and hints of dried herbs, forest floor, and mocha; medium-full body; deep, tight, red and dark fruit flavors; medium to medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. A bit tight and rough in the mouthfeel, the wine will benefit from several more years of bottle aging."

Nicholas Ponomareff, California Grapevine, December 2018

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