Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/21004
2010 Most Likely To Succeed Lazy Creek Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley ($38) Named for the slow and winding river that meanders through 95 acres of wild ranchland in the Anderson Valley, the sprightly kid sister of Ferrari-Carano (owners Rhonda and Don Carano helm the eponymous and well-established brand), Lazy Creek Vineyards is something special. Home to the smallest and second-oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in Anderson Valley, Lazy Creek is producing fruit and wines that maintain a pure, linear, Burgundian style, thanks to warm, sunny days and cool, foggy nights and mornings, allowing slow-maturation of grapes that ripen to be all that they can be. Keep an eye on this super sibling—we doubt Lazy Creek will get lost in Ferrari- Carano’s shadow. Ripe, smooth and rich with black cherry, spice and lively acidity; fresh, and pure, racy and balanced, lovely and seductive. Most Likely To Succeed Merry Edwards 2007 Pinot Noir, Meredith Estate, Russian River Valley ($54) Merry Edwards is known as a perfectionist among perfectionistsand this Pinot Noir is further proof that it’s true. In her more than three decades of winemaking, she has set a quality track record, and her talents are now aimed directly at making California’s greatest Pinot Noirs from the more than 40 acres that she and her husband, Ken, farm in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Given that Merry has always succeeded at whatever she set her mind to do, there’s every reason to add this release to our roster of those “Most Likely to Succeed.” Opulent and juicy with vibrant black cherry; this fruit comes from Merry’s personal vineyard and shows what she can do when she controls the process from soil to bottle; lovely fruit and fi rm acid structure; long and complex. Most Likely To Succeed Peregrine Wines 2007 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand ($32) This is one winery that aced geography, and with good reason: Its vineyards are located in the southernmost grape-growing region in the world, Central Otago, in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island. One of the earliest pio- neers of this rugged region, Peregrine sources fruit from 14 vineyards and focuses on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling. The 2007 vintage of the label’s lovely Pinot Noir is the result of an Indian Summer during which fruit was hand-harvested and cold-macerated prior to warm fermentation, which then benefi tted from an extended post-fermentation maceration that eased tannin extraction and integration. Juicy and pure with bright red cherry and lovely terroir; this is a stunning wine that should put the Burgundians on notice that there’s a new sheriff in town; long, elegant and absolutely charming. VINEYARD BRANDS 44 / the tasting panel / december 2010