We all know Merry Edwards as la reine de pinot noir, and one of the reasons Russian River Valley pinot noir has won worldwide acclaim. Not to mention Merry's hard-to-find, please-let-me-have-some-more sauvignon blanc, also rocking, and also finally getting its dues.

What not as many people know is that Merry is also the devoted mother to two sons: Ben, who has recently joined his mom in her winemaking business, and Warren, who, as Merry puts it, "left this world on the wing of an angel during the harvest of 2006."

To honor his memory, Merry has made and bottled a small amount (300 cases) of Angel Wing Pinot Noir ($90) from a clonal field blend of grapes from her Meredith estate vineyard. She says that while dealing with all the emotions of her loss at that time it helped to find focus in the making of this wine.

Angel Wing is a moving tribute to Warren's memory, the first vintage of which is being released now, about the time Warren would have celebrated his 21st birthday. Merry plans to continue making blends from exceptional lots in his memory each vintage. This, the 2006, shows Merry's signature aromas of roses and wildflowers; the pinot then goes on to reveal deliciously sweet, rich notes of cinnamon and blackberry.

Or, as Merry's own description reads, "sweet and rich on entry, the fine palate wraps you in a mother's full embrace and doesn't let go."

Buy a bottle for the mother or (grown) children you love. And raise a glass to Merry.