McNab Ridge Winery

You can read a whole story about this wine (And the winner is…)... Or you can just cut to the chase, get some of your own, and drink it. The wine comes from certified organic vines planted in the 1960s in the Finnish Colony district of the Redwood Valley appellation (though the label lists the appellation as Mendocino). The head-trained, giant-sized vines can ripen the French Colombard grapes to about 23 brix, which results in a wine not that far from 13 percent alcohol. Rich Parducci left a little under 2 percent residual sugar in the wine, made it all in stainless steel, and is as happy as anyone at how it turned out. Just 400 cases were made. Don’t wait.

The aromas are mainly peachy and lychee, and they waft out of the glass effortlessly. There’s a melony quality, but not like Sauvignon Blanc melon that comes with citrus and cut grass and things like this. This is clean and clear. In your mouth, the wine blossoms like a flower. You get all the aromas plus pears, watermelon, pomegranate and more. Best of all, the wine has a through-line of firm acidity wrapped in plush sweetness (only 12.6% alcohol). I know it seems contradictory, but this structure makes the wine both plush and crisp, sweet and dry, rich and refreshing. A pure delight to have in your mouth, and a divine blast from the past. And only $12.

Reviewed July 26, 2007 by Thom Elkjer.