Wine on the Radio - February 20, 2004

Mendocino                                      Recommendations

There's an area of the California wine country that defies the usual perceptions.   It's more remote, incredibly diverse, and home to some pretty independent minded winemakers.  

This is Mendocino County.  

Away from the relative bustle of Napa , Mendocino is a rambling collection of climate and terrain.  

From its best known Anderson Valley , and the headwaters of the Russian River to the craggy steep hillsides along the coast, the soils give wines of all kinds . . . White to red, still to sparkling.  

Chilly fog winds up the Navarro River , home to pinot noir.   Hilltops inland yield dense cabernets and warm weather syrah.   And zinfandel snakes along with the lowland river beds.  

Mendocino is for nature lovers and independent thinkers - and winemaking with an organic attitude.  

Small producers are leading the way in organic winemaking and it just seems to fit that many are in Mendocino.   So for a more off beat, undiscovered wine experience, and some exceptional scenery, head for the charms of Ukiah and Mendocino.  

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Our Mendocino Picks and Recommendations . . . All Prices Approximate

2000 Fife "Redhead" Mendocino $10
A handsome addition to Fife's line of big and hearty reds

2001 Husch Sauvignon Blanc "La Ribera Vineyards" Mendocino $10
This offering has mouth watering flavors of nectarine and mandarin orange

2001 Lolonis Fume Blanc Mendocino $12
Crisp, with apple, grass and tart citrus flavors

2000 Bonterra Merlot Mendocino 750ml 12 per case $15
The nose explodes with rich cherry and currant aromas with hints of cola, berry, oak-spice, and vanilla

2001 Fife Zinfandel "Uplands" Mendocino 750ml 12 per case $15
Cranberry-cassis, black raspberry jam . . . classic spicy Zin-berry fruit

2000 Husch Cabernet Sauvignon "La Ribera Vineyards" Mendocino 750ml 12 per case $16
An intense fragrant aspect with floral, blackberry jam, dark cherry and purple plum aromas

Edmeades 2001 Mendocino Zinfandel
North Coast, California
Winemaker's Notes
More classic, the deep ruby-colored 2001 Zinfandel Mendocino exhibits a smorgasbord of aromas

2000 Jepson Chardonnay Mendocino 750ml 12 per case $15
Creamy and buttery, with crisp apple complemented by toasty oak, and a touch of lemon cream and hints of vanilla

2001 Duckhorn Pinot Noir "Migration" Mendocino 750ml 12 per case $27 Pinot Noir