WTNs- Merry Edwards and Kosta Browne pinots

Merry Edwards Russian River Pinot Noir 2005

This was terrific. The nose was intriguing, evolving for an hour from opening. Red berries were there, but so was sage, then the sage went away and cinnamon joined the party, followed by dill. It was soft and very inviting, quite hard to just smell for a while and not drink. First impression on the palate was soft smoothness, mouth-filling buttery in texture. Very ripe cherries, some strawberry, cinnamon, and butter were all there. Tannins were soft and smooth. Finish kept going utnil I ruined it with the wine to follow. This is a terrific, elegant, sedate pinot.

Kosta Browne Sonoma Pinot Noir 2005

Just how hard are they working at this one? It was barely recognizable as pinot, with creme broulet and vanilla overpowering the nose. There was not a hint of fruit there. The palate, too, was overworked, with oak, vanilla, and pie crust so strong fruit was nowhere to be found. This was a truly "Parkerized" pinot, an intentionally "huge" wine that completely lost track of what it was.

I'm on mailing lists for both wineries and will be returning my Merry Edwards order this week. I hope I find the Kosta Browne wines more to my liking than you did--I have previously had only by the glass in a restaurant and was impressed at the time (maybe an earlier vintage.) Your note makes me think I better open one of the Kosta Browne on hand and see what I think of it before the time comes around to order again. I had the pleasure of sitting at the table with Merry Edwards, her husband, one of her sons and the son's girl friend at a Triangle Wine Experience event several years ago. She is one of the female pioneers of UC-Davis and winemaking.

I'm on mailing lists for both wineries and will be returning my Merry Edwards order this week. I hope I find the Kosta Browne wines more to my liking than you did--I have previously had only by the glass in a restaurant and was impressed at the time (maybe an earlier vintage.) Your note makes me think I better open one of the Kosta Browne on hand and see what I think of it before the time comes around to order again. I had the pleasure of sitting at the table with Merry Edwards, her husband, one of her sons and the son's girl friend at a Triangle Wine Experience event several years ago. She is one of the female pioneers of UC-Davis and winemaking.

I'm confused. Are you returning the wine? Was there something wrong with it, or you didn't like it? Good luck with the Kosta Browne - I look forward to seeing what you think of it.

D. Honig,
I didn't word that very well as I realized when I reread it. I am sending in my order, returning the mailer, not returning wine. I will probably open a Kosta Browne next week.

Jane

David,
We tasted that Merry Edwards Pinot at the winery last year and brought a couple of bottles back with us. I agree that it's a marvelously balanced and elegant wine. We might have to open one up soon.

Mark Lipton