Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast 2008 Pinot Noir, $46.99, 93 points, is a wine with the color that brings to mind the saying: Puts "N" in Noir; this wine wells deep-dark and rims violet to transparent.
The aroma is a beautiful balance of cedar-box and spicy red cherry.
The flavor is a powerful cherry-pepper-plum that is wound gracefully, but is imprinted, with good acidity and tannin, that with hints of cayenne and menthol finishes strong and long.
Judging by those who emptied their glasses in the picture, we were very pleased with the night's offering, which paired very nicely with Buffalo wings, celery with Blue cheese and Saffron crackers.
This is the last of my reviews of Pinot Noir for this Thanksgiving. I did want to get to some Italian wines (Food and Italian wine are synonymous) before it is too late. Where I've been timid with French wines, I've dived into Italian wines, and like Claire ( http://claireuncorked.blogspot.com/) love their wines with holiday food-fare.
To sum-up my Pinot Noir recommendations I would say that if money is not an issue, then I would go with Merry Edwards Sonoma, but if money is an issue I would go with Albert Bichot Vieilles Vignes 2007 Pinot Noir Bourgogne, $12.99-$16.99, 89 points, Murphy-Goode 2008 Pinot Noir, $11.99-$14.99, 89 points, or with Murphy-Goode 2009 Pinot Noir, $9.99-$18.99, 89+ points. Maybe a combination would be a good idea; either way your guests will be pleased, and you might like to have a bottle or two of Buehler 2009 Chardonnay, $8.49-$18.99, 89 points.
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Great review Den. Looking forward to some Italian wines! Are you having an Italian Thanksgiving, per chance?
ReplyDeleteI haven't had this particular bottling, but I've been fortunate to receive a bottle of Merry Edwards' "Coopersmith Vineyard" Pinot for Christmas for the past couple of years from my bosses (owners of the wine store where I work). I agree that if price is no concern, you can't go wrong with Merry Edwards. Stunning wine!
ReplyDeleteBill, who knows, maybe Merry Edwards will see your faithful appreciation and send you a bottle;-)
ReplyDelete