2017 Meredith Estate Pinot Noir (1.5L Magnum)

Winemaker's Comments

When I talk about Meredith Estate, I feel like a proud parent bragging about her oldest child. This planting was my first adventure into viticulture that began more than 20 years ago. The planning for this project began in 1996, which led to its installation in 1998. Many decisions had to be made in the process, including orientation to the site, soil amendments, style of trellising and training, along with the crucial selection of rootstocks and clones.

The experience shaped my conversion from being a winemaker to being a vigneron or winegrower. This in turn led to my focus on developing our own sustainable estate vineyards as the foundation for true quality.

The aroma of this bodacious Pinot captivates us with mouthwatering brambleberry, black raspberry, dark Bing cherry, Santa Rosa plum and ripe stone fruits wrapped in a robe of sweet, vanilla-laced oak. Coffee, cocoa and cola augment a layer of syrupy cassis.

Soft, smooth and juicy on entry, the palate broadens into a plush texture that’s bursting with tart cherry, pepper and sweet, ripe tannins. Graceful in structure, this wine is poised to reveal more of its potential with each passing year.

A recipe for Moroccan-Braised Lamb Shanks with Mint and Meyer Lemon Salsa was created by Eli Heller, a chef classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Hollywood, Calif. Lamb is a go-to favorite with Meredith Estate Pinot, so this easy yet delicious entrée is a scrumptious pairing. To learn how to prepare this dish, visit merryedwards.com.

Critical Acclaim

97 points / No. 11 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020 / 10 Most Collectible Pinot Noirs

"This was Edwards’ first estate planting, begun in 1998. It shows incredible attention to detail and depth of site, opening with memorable floral, earthy and mineral-laden character. Robust in structure, the dense, youthful power of the wine is robust in an intensity of plum, dark cherry and an intermixed swirl of vanilla and chocolate. It finishes in white pepper and will age beautifully."

Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, June 2020

95 points

"Medium ruby-purple, the nose of the 2017 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate, from grapes planted from 1996-1998, explodes with ripe marionberry, violet, lilac, loamy earth and cracked pepper aromas plus nuances of pipe tobacco, aniseed and boysenberry. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with nuanced flavor layers, knit by firm, grainy tannins and addicting freshness, finishing very long and layered. This is wonderful!"

Erin Brooks, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2019

96 points

"The 2017 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate is a standout in the lineup and has the most density as well as structure. Deep purple/ruby, with stunning notes of black raspberries, scorched earth, charcoal, crushed violets, and autumn forest floor, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, building tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a great finish. This is straight-up fabulous, and while terrific today, it will be even better with a year or two of bottle age and keep for over a decade. I’d put this up with the top wines in the vintage."

Jeb Dunnuck, May 2020

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