The Withers Winery Cody Mendocino County, 2010

As an avid Southern Rhone enthusiast, I have generally been less than impressed with "Rhone Ranger" wines. This Cody from Withers Winery is a notable exception.

Bright, medium deep crimson. Looks like a traditional Cotes du Rhone Villages. And the smells and flavors also match up. Grenache (70%) strawberry with darker fruits from the Syrah (30%). Clean, well defined fruit with a white pepper finish. Perhaps a bit sweeter than a CDR Villages, bur, in a blind tasting, I would have a hard time distinguishing it from a high quality Cairanne or Valreas