About the California wine region
Though less than half a century old, and remarkably young compared to its European counterparts, the wine industry in California has managed to enchant the country’s wine buying public as well as receive accolades from “across the pond.” This may be because of two realities. First is the undeniable quality of the wines—remarkably fruity, full and satisfying, rarely too austere or tannic to be savored from the first day. The second is the “buy American” angle. A very high number of American wine buyers simply prefer domestic to foreign wines.
The state plays host to an enormous range of microclimates and soils as well as a lot of sunshine, hot summer days and dry harvests. All these factors contribute to healthy ripe fruits that make European producers, in less dependable climates, green with envy. More than three out of every four years, California’s best sites produces excellent wines.
The U.S. is not protectionist when it comes to taxing imported wines compared to many other countries, but the California wine industry is inherently protected because of consumers wanting to buy American.
To most people, the Napa Valley is the home of California wine, and Cabernet is the clear king in Napa. Burgundy varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have moved to cooler areas, for the most part closer to the Pacific. This includes the western stretches of Sonoma County, the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, and the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez valleys of Santa Barbara County. In regions as contrasting as Mendocino County, the Sonoma coast, Carneros, Paso Robles, and Santa Maria Valley, Syrah vines have yielded interesting wines. Excellent Zinfandel is also produced all over the state and may be the only California wine emulated abroad.
A ripe ruby/magenta hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast takes on youthful tarry aromas that take time to blow off, revealing notes of black raspberries, baked cherries, violets, mushroomy earth, and wild forest herbs...
The 2023 Dominus is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Opaque purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal a powerful core of blackcurrant jelly, ripe black plums, and fresh...
97+ To be released in September 2024, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon 29 Estate is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 20 months in 83% new French oak. Black cherries and cassis set the stage, underscored by hints of dark loam and...
‘Aura’ is part of the Beau Vigne ‘Cult’ series of wines produced by Julien Fayard. This full-flavoured, full-bodied, lip-smacking red wine features heady oak spices nicely balanced by ripe, juicy black cherry and...
This wine is a great value for the quality, a blend of 88% estate Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% estate Malbec from the producer's high-elevation site. Aged two years in all French oak, it is smooth, supple and rich in...
This takes a graceful tack, offering supple, cedar-lined notes of gently mulled red currant and black cherry fruit that glide through the tobacco-, mint-, licorice- and sandalwood-accented finish. Offering charm rather...
Based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and splashes of Merlot and Malbec, the 2021 Opus One is gorgeous and just pure class. Cassis, graphite, charcoal, lead pencil, and violet-driven...
95+Minty herbs come together with hints of mocha, then dried violets, stone dust and finally wild blueberries as the kaleidoscopic 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Patrimony reaches up from the glass. Cool and collected, this is a...
Vivid cherry red, medium intensity, pared back and moreish. Enticing charred plum and spiced black cherry, restrained and savoury, chalky tannins, good lift through the palate without losing the creaminess of the fruit, a...
Offers beautifully rendered notes of hibiscus, rose petal, damson plum and mulberry that stretch out lengthily thanks to the fine-beaded acidity and taut, precise tannins. The sapid finish lets in tea and incense hints...
This delivers a pure and steady beam of cassis and plum puree carried by gentle underlying succulence. Flashes of hibiscus and iris filter through the fruit, adding to the overall elegant feel. Drink now through 2034...
Gorgeous aromas of concentrated black cherry, pomegranate, Darjeeling and floral potpourri highlight the nose of this Pinot. The palate delivers beautifully balanced tannin and energetic acidity, with flavors of cherry...
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Perseid is deep garnet-black in color with cassis, kirsch, redcurrants and blackberries on the nose plus cedar, cigars, earth and bay leaves notes. The palate is medium-bodied and lively with...
Floral and earthy on the nose in apple blossom and sea spray, this coastal wine begins light in crisp green apple and Meyer lemon as it develops a hearty backbone of powerful intensity and lush texture. Full bodied, it...
For fans of bigger and more powerful Pinot Noir, the 2010 Bernardus Pinot Noir from their Sierra Mar Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands hits all the right notes. Visually opaque with a deep brick red hue, this wine is...
This intense Pinot brings on the sultry aromas, with baked cherry, toasted nori, black tea and grilled mushroom notes on the complex and evolving nose. The palate is equally vivacious, with the plush tannins balancing...
This is deep and winey, with cassis, plum paste and linzer torte notes leading the way. Structured but succulent, offering singed apple wood, bay and cast iron accents that support the fruit through the long and focused...
Lively white flower aromas of honeysuckle and gardenia meet with lemon verbena and guava on the fresh nose of this bottling. The palate is quite floral and tropical, offering coconut and guava cream flavors. — Matt Kettmann
Bright purple fruit with lifted notes of bramble berries, violets and bergamot. The palate is full-bodied with chewy tannins, a lush mouthfeel, fine acidity and notes of dark plums, cocoa, sage and red peppercorns. A...
Based on 100% Syrah fermented with 100% whole clusters and brought up in neutral oak, the 2022 Syrah Donna's Block is slightly deeper ruby/plum in hue and offers up blackberries, pepper, bouquet garni, orange blossom, and...
Leave it to this pioneering Central Coast producer to craft an appellation cuvée that tastes exactly like this region smells. Aromas of sagebrush, pepper, iron and red plum lead into a palate of juniper, bay leaf and...
Spellbinding aromas of rose petals, strawberries, citrus and bark, with hints of lemongrass. Medium-bodied, tight and structured, this offers a captivating combination of linear intensity and calmness, so classy and...
(91+ points) Derived primarily from the estate's Spring Mountain property, Keenan's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon includes a dollop of Pope Valley fruit as well. Hints of bay leaf accent cassis and black cherry fruit on the...
The 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a blend of fruit from Arista’s seven vineyard-designate wines. It has pretty aromas of blackberry, blueberry, plum, licorice and turned earth. The medium-bodied palate offers...
The 2023 Chardonnay Wester Reach is blended from several vineyards including Flax, El Diablo and Heintz. Grapes were harvested September 14 to October 14, and the wine was matured for 11 months in 27% new French oak...
The 2011 Rapszodia, a blend of 62% Cabernet Franc and 38% Merlot, may be the finest wine of the vintage for Kapcsandy. Sadly, only 75 cases were made. Much lighter than the 2010 Rapszodia, the 2011 offers sweet currant...
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