Greenwood Ridge Vineyards

In Europe it’s common for appellation rules to compel wineries to hold wines up to five years (or even longer in some cases) until they considered ready to drink. We don’t have that in the States, but we do have vintners who have the imagination (and storage space) to hold back selected wines until they have developed some more character. (Mendocino County’s Coro program also mandates barrel and bottle time.) In this case Greenwood Ridge is still selling its 2000 Cabernet from its Mendocino Ridge estate vineyard.

This jumped out in a blind tasting of Mendocino Cabs, because it was both so mature and so individual in its aromas. Years ago, a lot of Cabernet tasted like this (red plums and cherries with a bit of earth and green bell pepper) and felt like this (gently assertive, gliding across the palate rather than burying it). If you’re new to wine and want to understand a chapter you missed, try this. If you’re an old hand and want to remember the kind of drink that drew you to wine in the first place, this should evoke a smile not only for its quality but its price ($30).

Reviewed August 2, 2007 by Thom Elkjer.

Other Awards & Accolades

Gold Medal - National Orange Show
Gold Medal - Mendocino County Fair