在寻找与数字收藏品相似的风土时，你是否曾经考虑过门多西诺县和莱克县的赤霞珠？来自加利福尼亚北部这两个县的高地山谷和山坡的葡萄酒，与纳帕种植的葡萄酒具有相同的结构和浓度，通常成本只是其中的一小部分。可靠的生产商，如门多西诺县的Barra和Paul Dolan，以及莱克县的Shannon Ridge和Steele，几乎每年都会生产出90分或更高的优秀赤霞珠。它们的售价远低于平均纳帕出租车。
塑造纳帕谷和索诺玛县相似广泛火山力量形成了门多西诺和莱克县地区。门多西诺享受凉爽晚风，类似于加州大多数沿海种植区，但夏季白天温度可能更高。这两地之所以不同，是因为中央山谷的大部分葡萄酒都被简单地标记为加利福尼亚葡萄种植区（AVA）。在标签上看到门多西诺 AVA、门多西诺县 AVA 或莱克 county AVA 通常是葡萄品种更丰富、更经典表达的一般保证。
来自莱克 county 高海拔赤霞珠 莱克 county 位于纳帕 valley 以北，内陆，海拔较高，是加州著名产区之一。在清湖南侧，有着以其优质赤霞珠著称的地方——红山 AVA。这片区域拥有许多醇厚且价格较高瓶装酒，如黑曜岭、索尔胭脂、斯波托 和鹰马。
红山上的葡萄藤生长在1,350到2,600英尺之间，这些条件转化为相对较低产量的小浆果，这在发酵过程中提供了高比例果皮与果汁，从而产生浓郁水果风味以及丰富细腻单宁，有助于陈年的好处。价格背后的故事显示2018年门多西诺赤霞珠每吨平均价格为$2,205，而莱克 county 则略低，为$2,061，与州平均水平$1,019相比，都非常昂贵。而且，每吨7,925美元作为纳帕价值，可以看出他们之间有很大的差距。
事实证明，该公式总体上是准确的是，加州葡萄酒定价指南。在门多西ノ and 赤霞珠湖的情况下，这是他们惊人的负担能力关键。以下是一些推荐：
Barra of Mendocino 2017 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendocino); $20; 92 points. This is a wide-ranging wine with a rich aroma and palate. It displays intense black currant and blackberry flavors with full-bodied texture that is both tannin-friendly yet balanced.
Greenwood Vineyards 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Greenwood); $32; 92 points. The fruit flavors are so inviting in this full-bodied wine with silky texture. It's infused with mature blackberries, blueberries and cocoa notes while feeling like it was crafted by new oak without becoming too oaky.
McNab Ridge Winery 2015 Family Reserve LaGorce Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendocino County); $30; 93 points. A quiet yet powerful wine that wraps up intense black cherry and elderberry flavors in solid yet smooth texture with fine tannins for depth of maturity.
RockRidge Cellars Half Mile Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Hills Lake County); $65; 95 points. This complexly layered but refined elegant wine captivates from its initial aromas of cinnamon spice to the dense ripeness of the flavor profile as well as lingering five-spice plum aftertaste on the finish.
Parducci Wine Cellars has also released a limited production offering at an affordable price: Parducci Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendocino) for just $15! With ripe fruit taste and soft texture this full-bodied red offers compact colors from concentrated black cherries & raspberries. Spicy oak won't intrude but tannins are moderate & well-balanced making it easy to drink now or later.
Finally there's Lava Rock Winery offering another reasonably priced choice: Lava Rock Estate Grown Merlot/Cabernet Blend ($16). Though not labeled as such this blend showcases abundant lusciousness & deep coloration from dark berries which will unfold over time providing balance through its velvety mouthfeel where subtle earthy tones enhance complexity while hints of chocolate linger pleasantly on the palate finishing long into your sips - all without any overwhelming bitterness or acidity.
