Wines from Mendocino Ridge
Greenwood Ridge 2000 Pinot Noir (Mendocino Ridge)
- $30
Even in Mendocino, growing Pinot Noir on these sunny ridgetops is controversial. This one is certainly ripe and fruity enough, filled with gobs of black raspberry and cherry flavors, and telltale silky tannins. The appellation may yet define itself for the varietal. But for now, as tasty as it is, it seems heavy-handed, and lacks the subtlety delicacy Pinot wants. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
Edmeades 1999 Alden Ranch Zinfandel (Mendocino Ridge)
- $25
Longtime winemaker Van Williamson has crafted a late-harvest style wine, with 16.5% alcohol. The rich berry flavors drink on the sweet side, but the wine is saved from flabbiness by firm acids. Zinfandel from these fog-free ridgetops ripens to high sugars, and the winemaker’s challenge is to make the wine balanced. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
Mariah 1999 Syrah (Mendocino Ridge)
- $30
This Brown-Forman-owned brand succeeded with Zinfandel and now is trying its hand at Syrah, with mixed results. This release, while well-made, lacks stuffing, although the acid and tannin structure is very good. There are some earthy-berry flavors but the wine needs more oomph. More tinkering is called for, probably in the vineyards. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
Greenwood Ridge 2002 Estate Pinot Noir (Mendocino Ridge)
- $25
This is a dark, fairly tannic Pinot, with flavors of blue and black stone fruits and berries, and neutral oak. It’s acidic and very dry. Not showing much finesse, but a good wine.
— S.H.
(3/1/2005)
Taft Street 2006 Pinot Noir (Mendocino Ridge)
- $36
With smoky, ashy aromas and soft, slightly sweet medicinal flavors of cherries, root beer and vanilla oak, this Pinot might improve with age, but is currently a bit simple.
— S.H.
(3/1/2009)
Sanctuary 2005 Mariah Vineyard Zinfandel (Mendocino Ridge)
- $25
Robust and briary, this Zin is bone-dry and pretty tannic, with earthy flavors of blackberries, tobacco, currants and spices. Could mellow with age, but will never be particularly complex.
— S.H.
(4/1/2009)
Edmeades 2000 Alden Vineyard Late Harvest Zinfandel (Mendocino Ridge)
- $25
When Zin gets this ripe, all you can do is make a strong, heady, sweet wine. Here, 16.9% alcohol and 2.8% residual sugar make for a powerful, warming brew, distinctive in its own right, and one that has many fans. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
Edmeades 2001 Ciapusci Vineyard Zinfandel (Mendocino Ridge)
- $25
A fruity wine redolent of cherry, blackberry and plums. The oak, however, is a bit heavy handed here-as is the acidity. It’s still a pleasant quaff, but could use better integration.
— W.E.
(11/1/2003)
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