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.
The 2021 Chardonnay Heintz is a super-classic Radio-Coteau wine. Floral and nicely lifted in the glass, the 2021 is all about understatement. Dried pear, white flowers, graphite, spice, mint and a hint of passionfruit all...
Black currants, grilled sage and crushed stone form a darkly enticing bouquet as the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon opens in the glass. This is surprisingly juicy and energetic in character, with racy wild berry fruits offset by...
The 2021 Merlot lifts from the glass with a pretty mix of blue- and purple-toned florals that complement ripe blueberries. It's lifted and energetic, with crisp red and blue fruits further enhanced by cooling acidity as a...
Crushed cherries, plum sauce and hints of blood orange introduce the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon One Stone. It is juicy to the core and energetic, with ripe red and black fruits guided by a core of vibrant acidity. A bit...
The 2023 Zinfandel offers up notes of crushed cherry, blueberry complemented by sweet herbs and hints of stone dust. It sweeps across the palate with juicy waves of ripe red and blue fruit energized by vibrant acidity...
The 2021 Chardonnay Peugh Vineyard, from vines originally planted in 1887 and grafted to Chardonnay in 1944, is pure and energetic. It has soft aromas of hazelnut, toasted meringue, iodine and Meyer lemon. The...
Powerful and expressive, starting with fresh Meyer lemon curd and Key lime pie flavors, showing hints of pineapple and ripe salted melon on a smooth, succulent body. Features fresh, juicy acidity, with a long, expressive...
Tasted alongside the 2021, the 2022 Chardonnay Le Rayon-Vert pours a shade deeper yellow hue and showcases the sunny side of the 2022 vintage, with notes of pineapple, toasted spice, and preserved lemon. Full-bodied and...
The 2023 Gamay Noir comes from two vineyards in the Sierra Nevada Mountains: Barsotti, planted in 2005 at 2,800 feet in elevation, and Witters, planted in 2000 at 3,300 feet. Only whole clusters were used during...
The 2023 Pinot Noir Peter Martin Ray Vineyard comes from head-trained, dry-farmed vines planted in 1979 at 1,400 feet in elevation, and grapes were harvested September 18. It fermented with 100% whole clusters and matured...
The 2022 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict comes from the original own-rooted vines planted in 1971, and the wine was matured for 10 months in used French oak. The nose features tones of yellow peach, honey and spice, and as...
The 2023 Trousseau was fermented with whole clusters and matured for nine months in used French oak. It has an arresting perfume of strawberry, pomegranate, rooibos tea and Campari. The light-bodied palate is bursting...
Sleek and juicy, with fan-friendly cherry, raspberry, toasty spice and briar accents that glide on the zesty finish. Drink now through 2033. - TF
This tempting, concentrated yet well-structured wine packs abundant black cherries, black olives, rosemary and dark chocolate flavors into a velvety, strong frame of tannins and subtle acidity that holds it rather...
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