Wine on the Radio - October 31, 2003

Monterey County              Wine Picks from Monterey County

Heading south from San Francisco you'll pass through the stunningly beautiful area of Monterey Bay and Carmel . And while it doesn't get the wine press of Napa or Sonoma there's lots to like about Monterey County wines.

The ocean climate pours fog and cooling winds into the interior. But further in, as the Salinas Valley turns south, the cold and wind is less evident.

Cool climate wines in the north, hotter climate wines the further south you go.

Those further north tend to be lighter and more aromatic while those from the south are fuller and have a higher alcohol content.

A lot of high volume wine is made here but there are some very notable Monterey County wineries. And being a bit lesser known they're often real values.

So for a taste of Big Sur and Pebble Beach ; the Carmel Valley and Monterey Bay - look to Monterey County wines.

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Some Wines of Monterey County - Our Picks and Recommendations  . . . All Prices Approximate

Kendall Jackson 2000 Great Estates Monterey Chardonnay $25
Central Coast, California

Winemaker's Notes
This wine encompasses our best vineyards in Monterey. Four unique vineyards combine to build the multi-layers of light lemon, pears and citrus

2000 Talbott Chardonnay "Kali Hart" Monterey $15
Rich crisp, and clean flavors of pear, pineapple and vanilla

2000 Bernardus Chardonnay Monterey County $16
The aromas open with apples, vanilla, clove and cinnamon, with background notes of tropical fruits and toasty oak

Mirassou 2001 Family Selection Monterey Riesling $9
Central Coast, California

Winemaker's Notes
Fresh peach, pear, apricot flavors and a touch of residual sweetness are delicately balanced with crisp, refreshing acidity

2001 Estancia Pinot Noir Monterey County $12
Dark cherry in color, with moderate acidity and a nose of cherry, strawberries, dried flowers and leather

Kendall Jackson 2000 Great Estates Monterey Pinot Noir $25
North Coast, California

Winemaker's Notes
This wine exemplifies the uniqueness and great potential of the Monterey County Pinot Noir

1999 Jekel Cabernet Sauvignon Monterey County $14
This wine exhibits a deep blackberry, plum, and sweet vanilla-oak nose

1999 Robert Pecota Syrah Monterey County $18
WS 88 points, Spicy and firm, with beef, sage, black cherry and toasty oak flavors

1998 Mirassou Merlot "Harvest Reserve" Monterey County $12
Beautifully complex and an outstanding value