2017 Merry Edwards Warren’s Hill Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 240 cases, $63. This wine is ‘A Legend Reborn.’ This is the first vintage of a wine that traces its lineage to Windsor Gardens Vineyard that was farmed by Lee Martinelli Jr. Lee thought that Martini clone was planted in this unirrigated vineyard. Merry Edwards named the property Windsor Gardens upon its first bottling as a Merry Edwards vineyard designate. The wine quickly developed a cult following. The developer who owned the property removed the old vines after the 2003 harvest to make way for new tract homes. Warren’s Hill was planted on a hilltop in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley in 2012 using budwood Lee Martinelli had preserved from Windsor Gardens. The name of the vineyard is a tribute to Merry’s son Warren who passed away in 2006. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Pleasant aromas of blackberry reduction sauce, loganberry, spice and vanilla cone. A full charge of purple and blackberry fruits greets the palate with intention. A bit of oak-driven vanilla and toast is in the mix. The tannins are quite modest and there is some finishing grace and length. Score: 90. Reviewed July 20, 2019

Winery: Merry Edwards Wines
From article: Recently Tasted California Wines