At Merriam Vineyards, in Sonoma County, their wines are inspired by traditional French styles of farming and winemaking. They focus on delivering vineyard-designated wines that are truly unique and do so with a commitment to sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship. Here’s what our tasting panel had to say about a half-dozen of the wineries current offerings:
Merriam Vineyards 2013 “Bacigalupi” Chardonnay
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Price: 45-50
Tasting Notes:
Fragrances of peach, guava, mango, and caramel greet the senses. The palate showcases flavors of stone and tropical fruits, alongside accents of citrus blossoms, caramel, and minerals. Lush with a friendly acidity, enjoy a bottle with crab cakes. 120 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Merriam Vineyards 2014 “Danielle” Sauvignon Blanc
Grape(s): 94% Sauvignon Blanc & 6% Semillon
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Price: 15-20
Tasting Notes:
Notes of tropical fruit, apricot, and honeydew combine with suggestions of spring flowers and honey on the nose. With a sip, flavors of stone fruits, melons, and mangoes unfurl into whispers of orange blossoms and lemon zest. An opulent, floral Sauv Blanc, open a bottle with your favorite white fish. 420 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Merriam Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Price: 35-40
Tasting Notes:
Strawberry and plum aromas play with hints of vanilla, floral earth, and black tea on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of ripe strawberries, cherries, and plums, along with nuances of all-spice, vanilla, and earth. A welcoming acidity and soft tannins make grilled salmon a fine pairing for this wine. 110 cases produced.
Rating: 88
Merriam Vineyards 2009 “Miktos” Red Blend
Grape(s): 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, & 5% Petite Verdot
Region: Sonoma County, California
Price: 45-50
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of black cherries, earthy bramble fruit, tobacco, and herbs rises up from a glass. The palate delivers flavors of blackberry, cherry, and cassis, which open up into whispers of cocoa, cigar box, and all-spice. With elegant fruit and soft tannins, a mushroom risotto would make a ideal paring. 125 cases were made.
Rating: 88
Merriam Vineyards 2011”Windcare” Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Sonoma County, California
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
The nose offers aromas of plums, bing cherries, and boysenberries, as well as elements of sweet spice, dark chocolate, and earth. Cherry, plum, and currant flavors emerge on the palate, accented by notes of all-spice, earth, and oak. A plush Cab with smooth tannins, enjoy a glass with your homemade meatloaf. 347 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Merriam Vineyards 2014 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Price: 20-25
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of apricots and tropical fruits meld with suggestions of orange blossoms and lemon custard on the nose. Flavors of apricot, mango, and sweet pineapple come together with highlights of candied orange and creamy vanilla on the palate. Luscious, round, and indulgently sweet, a pineapple upside-down cake would make a fine companion. Only 50 cases were made.
Rating: 90