Merry Edwards Winery, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2018

($60):  The riper and deeper Merry Edwards Russian River Valley bottling, whose fruit comes from a variety of vineyards in that warmer AVA, is a fascinating contrast to their Sonoma Coast bottling.  A weightier wine with black rather than red fruit tones, the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is juicy and well within bounds despite a 14.5 percent-stated alcohol.  It also has an alluring bitterness in the finish.
92 Michael Apstein Jan 5, 2021