One of the wineries that I visited last year on my Mendocino/Anderson Valley trip was Greenwood Ridge Vineyards. Proprietor/winemaker Allan Green was an enthusiastic and gracious host — about the wine and the region (and all things baseball!).

I had the opportunity to taste through the winery’s current releases, but I have to also mention that one of the most memorable wines I tasted all week (and possibly all year) was from the Greenwood Ridge library. Allan showed up at a dinner later that evening with a bottle of his 1990 Late Harvest Riesling, and it was a knockout. Or, perhaps more appropriately, a way-out-of-the-park homerun!

Here are my notes on the wines:

Greenwood Ridge 2007 Pinot Gris Anderson Valley ($18). Clean and silky, with pretty orange blossom aromas accenting juicy grapefruit and  orange citrus fruit, with a refreshing finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Greenwood Ridge 2007 White Riesling Mendocino Ridge ($18). Aromatic and peachy, with an array of honey, fig, lime and floral notes that build through the long, juicy, mouthwatering finish. Off-dry. Delish. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. (Maybe more!) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Greenwood Ridge 2007 Pinot Noir Mendocino Ridge ($30). Rich black cherry and berry aromas and flavors are subtly laced with wet earth, smoky bittersweet chocolate, lightly-roasted herbal notes and a touch of creamy vanilla. Full-bodied. Ready to drink now and over the next 5-7 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Greenwood Ridge 2006 Merlot Mendocino Ridge ($27). Ripe and smooth, with intense cherry and blackberry character laced with rich chocolate and appealing herbal notes. Shows a bit of grip on the otherwise supple finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

And from the library:

Greenwood Ridge 2001 Pinot Noir Mendocino Ridge ($N/A). Appealingly aged, with earthy and dried fruit notes playing off still-pretty red fruits. Complex, lightly spicy finish. Lovely.

Greenwood Ridge 1990 Late Harvest Riesling Mendocino Ridge ($N/A). This was such a treat and really enchanted the whole table — including several area winemakers. Intense, complex, still lovely lime skin, green apple, floral and mineral character. Forever finish. Wow.