Robbie Meyer; a very classic, meticulous winemaker (Employee Pick)

Peirson Meyer is the personal label for winemaker Robbie Meyer (previously with Lewis Cellars, Peter Michael, Jericho Canyon and others) and longtime friend Alan Peirson.  Robbie and Alan met while working together at Peter Michael. Robbie is a very classic, meticulous winemaker, utilizing native yeast and natural winemaking practice such as un-fining and un-filtering. You can read more with my original write up about Peirson Meyer, Robbie Meyer, and his ’06 Cabernet and ’10 ‘Heintz Vineyard’ Chardonnay here (link). Below are two new vintages for Robbie and his ’12 Russian River Pinot Noir and ’12 ‘Untitled #7’ Chardonnay. I am also including my notes for the ’12 ‘Heintz Vineyard’ Chardonnay, which hopefully you were able to acquire some, since it is now sold out.

2012 Peirson Meyer Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – $49/b

Black cherries, spices, even hints of chocolate come to mind first. Classic Russian River style, with a full to medium plus body flavor profile and mouth feel. The entry is soft and plush and not shy at all in flavors, but sits rather elegantly on the palate. Reminds me of Grand Cru burgundy, not quite form Chambertin, but either Volnay or even a Clos de Vougeot.  The fruit is definitely at the for front of this wine, but the mid palate carries great earthy qualities and shows hints of spices.  Good acidity on the finish, but it is noticeable that this wine is from a warmer vintage, because the flavors are bold and prominent, not to an overpowering or unpleasing extent, but more noticeable than lets say ’11 Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley. 

Wine Spectrum 94, Robert Parker 94: The 2012 Pinot Noir Russian River saw one-third new oak and was made from 100% destemmed fruit. A savory, heady style of Pinot Noir, it reveals copious quantities of jammy strawberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with subtle hints of root vegetables and spice. Full-bodied with well-integrated tannins and a lush, heady mouthfeel, this beauty can be drunk over the next 7-8 years. Roughly 100 cases produced 

2012 Peirson Meyer ‘Untitled #7’ Chardonnay, Sonoma County – $79/b

Sold out at the winery and sourced mostly from the ‘Heintz Vineyard’ but also a portion from an undisclosed vineyard (hence the name). Big lemon custard and creme brulee jump from the glass, Rich entry and very creamy and lush, are followed with flavors of lemon zest, butterscotch, wild flowers and the slightest hint of honey. The wine if full body, but like most of Robbies, it carries great acidity and is very well balanced. No cloy factor and you don’t feel like you are drinking dinner, but instead a full body and voluptuous piece of art.

Wine Spectrum 94: Always among the most expressive of our Chardonnays, this blend, Untitled #7 offers concentrated aromas of orange oil, citrus zest, and heady floral notes of Jasmine, wildflowers, and honeysuckle. A distinctive gun barrel minerality clearly contributed from the Charles Heintz Vineyard, inter- plays with light spice and hazelnut notes. The mouthfeel is broad and lengthy and maintains an extended presence on the palate. 100 cases produced. 

Robert Parker 94: The 2012 Chardonnay Untitled No. 7 is a small cuvée. Similar to the Charles Heintz single-vineyard offering, it is an exotic white displaying notes of orange blossoms, honeysuckle, mango, crème brûlée and a wet stone-like minerality. Medium to full-bodied and pure, it spent 14 months in 45% new French oak and went through full malolactic. Drink now-2020.

2012 Peirson Meyer ‘Charles Heintz Vineyard’ Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast – $59/b (Sold Out)

Coming from the outstanding ’12 vintage the wine is full, balanced and delicious.  A darn near perfect growing season has yielded a Chardonnay that has a deep golden color, with notes of baked apples, ripe pears, apricot, vanilla, graham cracker, toasted oak flavors with a back drop of light flint and crushed stone minerality. From 40+ year old vines and aged on its lees in 45% New French oak barrels for 14 months allows the wine to show remarkable texture and balance. It is full body but does not sit overly heavy on the palate. 

WSI 95 RP 95 My favorite Chardonnay is the 2012 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard. This exotic effort displays lots of flinty minerality along with notes of orange marmalade, mango and citrus blossoms. Savory and full-bodied with terrific delineation and texture, it was aged 14 months on its lees and went through 100% full malolactic. Drink now-2022. Roughly 200 cases produced

Bret Barrett is a Senior Wine Advisor with the Wine Spectrum in Northern California.  Bret joined the Wine Spectrum with over 15 years of experience in the food, wine, and customer service industry with more than 10 of those years focused primarily on wine and wine service.  He has been a Manager and Sommelier for a AAA Four Diamond French Restaurant in Virginia, creating and managing a Wine Spectator’s Award Excellence wine list.  Continuing to fuel his passion for wine, he moved to California, where he managed a wine retail shop and tasting bar in Lake Tahoe, CA.  With a desire to excel in wine, he successfully completed the second level examination from the Court of Master Sommeliers, achieving the title of Certified Sommelier.  Bret currently lives in Kenwood CA with a wonderful family, two young children and two dogs.

“Wine is my love, and the greatest thing about living in beautiful wine country, is sharing my love for wine and everything wine country has to offer, with you.  I hope you enjoy my thoughts and please feel free to reach out and contact me if you would like to learn more about our wines or myself.  I look forward to hearing from you.” – Bret Barrett