Elegant, expressive, and deeply food-friendly — the Merryvale Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 is a refined wine that captures the cool-climate allure of California’s northern coastal vineyards. With vivid red fruit, refined structure, and a silky texture, this Pinot Noir offers complexity without pretension — a wine to savor now or cellar for future delight.
Vineyard & Philosophy
This wine is crafted from premium sites across the Sonoma Coast and nearby coastal slopes, where fog influence, coastal breezes, and shallow soils produce grapes of intense flavor yet graceful balance. Merryvale draws on decades of viticultural excellence, selecting clones and blocks that emphasize elegance, purity, and the spicy perfume that makes Pinot Noir so beloved.
Winemaking is intentional and mindful: grapes are hand-harvested, sorted, and gently destemmed, with small-lot fermentation to preserve nuance. Aging in French oak (part new) refines integration and adds subtle spice without overshadowing the delicate fruit.
Style & Character
Merryvale’s 2023 Pinot Noir leans toward finesse over weight. It exhibits graceful structure and polish, designed to showcase aromatic complexity, silky texture, and vibrant expression rather than sheer power. It’s a wine for conversation and cuisine — one that invites pairing without competing.
Tasting Notes
Color: Medium ruby with bright clarity.
Aroma: Layers of wild red cherry, raspberry blossom, pomegranate, and dried rose petals interwoven with hints of forest floor, cinnamon, and clove.
Palate: Delicate but composed — red fruit core framed by redcurrant, cranberry, and fresh hibiscus. Earthy undertones and forest herbs emerge mid-palate, with gently grippy tannin structure that supports but doesn’t dominate.
Finish: Graceful and persistent, with lingering notes of cherry skin, clove, and mineral tension that blend into refined elegance.
Why You’ll Love It
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Balanced & refined: Not just fruit-forward — a wine of elegance, texture, and persuasive nuance.
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Coastal character: Aromatic intensity and refreshing acidity reflecting Sonoma’s marine influence.
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Food-friendly: A wine built to pair, with structure enough for richer dishes yet finesse for lighter fare.
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Vintage appeal: 2023 shows both youthful energy and potential for cellar aging.
Pairings & Serving
Serve slightly chilled (55–58°F) to preserve freshness and aromatic lift. This Pinot Noir shines alongside:
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Roast duck, game birds, or quail with berry sauces
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Wild mushroom risotto or black trumpet ragout
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Herb-roasted pork tenderloin
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Soft cheeses like Brie or aged goat cheese
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Grilled salmon or seared tuna
Tasting Profile
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Body: Medium
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Oak Treatment: French oak (part new)
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Texture: Silky and seamless, with firm but polished tannins
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Serving Suggestions: Decant briefly for full aromatic expression
A Wine for Now — and Later
With its combination of structure, aromatic complexity, and refined red fruit, Merryvale Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 offers both immediate enjoyment and the potential to evolve gracefully in the cellar. It’s a compelling, expressive wine that reflects terroir, craftsmanship, and California’s coastal elegance.
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