Mendocino: Current And Upcoming Releases by Senior Editor Virginia Boone
One of the most highly acclaimed producers in Mendocino County, Drew Wines was started by Jason and Molly Drew in 2000 on a 26-acre apple orchard in the Mendocino Ridge AVA, high above the Anderson Valley and just 3.3 miles from the ocean at 1,250-feet elevation. There they took a chance on growing cool-climate heritage field selections of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, calling the eight-acre estate Faite De Mer Farm. They also added a truffle orchard to the remaining 14 acres of apples. Jason trained with winemakers Craig Williams at Joseph Phelps, John Kongsgaard at Luna, Jeff Baker at Carmenet, Cathy Corison of Corison, and Brian Babcock of Babcock Vineyards before devoting himself full-time to living and working in Mendocino, where he uses traditional methods like whole cluster and native yeast fermentations and doesn’t fine or filter the wines. Drew also produces three single-vineyard Syrahs from Mendocino Ridge and two excellent whites, a Viognier and Albarino.
2022 Estate Radiolaria Pinot Noir Mendocino Ridge 98 Pts
Earthy, meaty, and savory (or even sauvage) in all senses of the word, the 2022 Pinot Noir Faite De Mer Farm Radiolaria is a beautifully expressive, intriguing, and complex wine with a texture of ethereal stone and brightness of sea spray. From a high-elevation estate site, it exudes umami complexity and will age well over the next 10-12 years.
2022 Estate Radiolaria Chardonnay Mendocino Ridge 98 Pts
Lively and spicy, the 2022 Chardonnay Faite De Mer Farm Radiolaria is refined, elegant, and bright, with complex layers of honeycomb, pear, and sea spray. Only the third vintage from the producer's estate, it has length and breadth across a light-bodied palate, highlighted by flinty wet stone, sea spray, and oyster shell-like minerality and a bite of green apple and lime zest. Drink through 2032.
2022 Clow Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 96 Pts
Employing 15% whole-cluster fermentation, the 2022 Pinot Noir Clow Ridge Vineyard is an exquisite study in elegance and subtle flavor, with floral red fruit and a balanced approach to acidity, sourced from an organically farmed, high-density vineyard on the northwestern edge of the appellation; this is only the second vintage for Drew from this site. Structured to age, it will do well in the cellar for 7-10 years, tasting of earthy dried herb, forest, and mushroom, savory in flavor profile and texture. This is a "wow" wine.