2023 LIOCO Mendocino Pinot Noir

Vibrant aromas of salted plum, rose petals, and redwood forest floor integrate with nuanced notes of Orange Pekoe tea and shiitake mushroom. The palate is fresh and medium-bodied, featuring a lifted red berry core and savory hints of bergamot and grilled herbs. A fine, dusty tannin structure carries through to a long, mineral-driven finish.

The Licklider family sources fruit from practicing organic and sustainably farmed vineyards, with a heavy emphasis on dry-farming and older vines. In the cellar, winemaker Drew Huffine utilizes 10–15% whole-cluster inclusion in open-top tanks to enhance aromatic complexity and structural tension. The wine is aged for eight months in a combination of neutral French oak and stainless steel barrels to preserve its bright acidity and primary coastal character.

This "wide aperture" blend is a snapshot of Mendocino County, sourced from several premier sites including the rugged, cool-climate Comptche AVA and the fog-influenced Anderson Valley. The blend also incorporates fruit from Cole Ranch and the high-elevation Potter Valley. These sites, characterized by shallow hillside soils and proximity to the Pacific, produce small, concentrated berries that reflect the wild, coniferous landscape of Northern California.