Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, "Ghost Oak" Chardonnay, California 2001 Price $10 Rating 89 "As the top tier of our Woodbridge portfolio, the Select Vinyard Series wines are chosen from our finest vineyards," explains winemaker Brad Alderson. "Grapes are grown in the coolest areas of Lodi, as well as other desirable locations."

Aromas of tropical fruit and vanilla are followed by bold flavors of vibrant citrus and a charming bit of coconut. This wine surpasses many competitors at twice the price, and then some.

Woodbridge by Robert Monadavi "Clay Hollow" Merlot, California 2000 Price $10 Rating 89 "As one of our Select Vineyard Series wines, that being the top tier of the Woodbridge collection, Clay Hollow merlot is made from top-rated vineyards located in the windy hollows of the cool Lodi delta region," says Alderson. The convergence of prime clay soil (important with merlot), the powerful influence of the sun and the soft breezes, being of ocean origin, result in a complex red wine.

"There is lush black cherry, hints of cocoa, spice and a seductive, lingering finish," observes Alderson. This merlot is flavorful, plummy and packed with wonderful fruit. They work closely with their vineyard sources and reward the growers that make full effort to produce perfect grapes. This red wine speaks for itself.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi "Red Dirt Ridge" Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2000 Price $10 Rating 89 Red dirt indeed equates to fine red wine. Ask the folks in Australia's Coonawarra, home to some impressive reds grown in red. "Struggling through lean red dirt for nutrients and, most importantly, water, encourages the vines to develop cabernet sauvignon grapes with complex, concentrated flavors of luscious blackberry fruit, dark chocolate and interesting spice," observes Alderson. "As one of our Select Vineyard Series wines, our top tier of our Woodbridge portfolio, the wine sees 30% new oak barrels, both French and American."

The Jabant District in the mother load Lodi area has both sandy and clay loam soils, with some areas appearing in a rusty red from the importantly high iron content. These lean soild promote complex red wines. This red wine drinks as if it were twice the price.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi "Fish Net Creek" Old Vine Zinefandel, California 2000
Price $10
Rating 90
"The beauty of age is so very apparent in our Woodbridge Select Vineyard Series 2000 vintage 'Fish Net Creek' Old Vine Zinfandel," concludes Alderson. "The fruit from old gnarled vines gives this wine deep, soft raspberry and extreme blackberry character with bits of black pepper and dried spice. Warm vanilla tones from 15 months of barrel aging linger on the velvety finish."

Most of the vines are 50-80 years old, offering witness from their sandy loam soils near the Mokelumne River in the Lodi area, the "place of fish net people" in the spoken word of the local Miwok Indians.

Growers in the Lodi region have received national attention for their "earth-friendly" agricultural practices, especially for their successful efforts to reduce the use of pesticides. No matter what Creedence Clearwater Revival may have observed, being stuck in Lodi is not a bad thing.