The Wineslinger Chronicles: Not My First Rodeo with Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc, and Definitely Not my Last!
News Flash! All Sauvignon Blancs don’t have to be the “same ol’, same ol'” like you usually drink. On a recent trip to Cape Cod, I had the opportunity to again enjoy something very special.
Merry Edwards 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
One thing you can count on in wines from Merry Edwards Winery is their experience- and terroir-driven, single-vineyard wines from California’s Russian River Valley. The winery is well known for crafting Pinot Noirs of depth, elegance, and exceptional longevity. However, let’s get back to the topic of this story… Merry Edwards expressive barrel-aged Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc, one of the best I’ve tasted.
What’s to the Special Style of Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc?
Merry Edwards created its special style of Sauvignon Blanc with a specific task in mind: Relieve wine drinkers of Sauvignon Blanc’s usually omnipresent light body and “green” character. This was accomplished by starting with their Sauvignon Blanc (Clone 1, also called Shenandoah). This is the most utilized Sauv Blanc clone in California since being bought there originally in the late-1800s. And, for good reason, too. The cuttings came from the illustrious Château d’Yquem in Bordeaux by Charles Wetmore. Now, that’s a really good pedigree for starters.
The Next Question You need to Ask is ‘What is Sauvignon Musqué?”
Another special aspect of Merry Edward’s Sauvignon Blanc, is its substantial percentage of Sauvignon Musqué, approximately one-third versus the balance of Clone 1. However, you might ask, “What is Sauvignon Musqué? I’ve not heard about that.”
But, what is a Clone? Clones are created by taking cuttings from a parent vine to grow new vines that retain special traits of the particular clone.
Well, Sauvignon Musqué was originally thought to be a different grape variety from Sauvignon Blanc resulting from its incredibly unique aromatic qualities, and because it had been separately labeled as its own varietal wine when cuttings from France were examined in the 1960s. DNA typing of this grape, however, found that it was genetic match to Sauvignon Blanc. As a result, it is now known as a clone of Sauvignon Blanc (often called the Musqué clone or UCD 37). What it brings to Merry Edward’s Sauvignon Blanc is quite special. In this wine, it imparts floral and tropical fruit aromatics and a fuller body to the wine.
This pioneering work in clonal research by Merry Edwards with her UCD clone 37 has forever changed the Californian wine industry, making her and her wines star performers in the Russian River valley since she established it in 1975.
Merry Edwards may have left her family run winery, and it has now been taken over by Champagne maker Louis Roederer, who is also committed to maintaining the same core values of Estate driven, quality production, family ownership and a passion for sustainability and stewardship which brought Edwards and Roederer together
But wait, before we leave, I need to mention that there is still more Merry Edward’s stylistic magic in this wine.
Barrel Treatment
This Sauvignon Blanc cuvée incorporates barrel-aging with French oak, and 15 percent of it is new oak. During the time spent in barrel, the wine is left on its lees with twice-weekly lees stirring for five months. This builds a silky mouthfeel and the extraction of a mild hint of sweet oak.
Tasting and Food Pairing
The end result is a wine of complexity, interesting aromatics, and a smooth almost weighty feel on the palate. The wine is crisp and bright, with accents of Meyer lemon, red grapefruit, honeysuckle and ripe green melon carried by its perky and refreshing acidity.
Being on Cape Cod, I had the opportunity to sample some fresh local seafood like crab cakes and steamed lobster, both of which rallied when paired with Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc. But, the fun does have to stop there. This wine can also do well when paired with Asian cuisine combined with lime, coconut, tropical fruits, mussels, and other seafoods. I even put it to the test again with flavorful cedar plank salmon, which is usually reserved for other wines like Chardonnay or, in some cases, Pinot Noir. Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc passed with flying colors.
Not My First Rodeo and Not My Last
I mentioned above that this was not my first rodeo with Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc. My first encounter was with the 2011 vintage and we have had several more encounters since. But, my recent experience was elevated by the beautiful Cape Cod environment, fresh salt air and wonderful seafood. Now, I’m looking forward to my next rodeo with this wine.
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