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.
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: This is a fantastic example of the super 2013 vintage in Napa. Full body, currants, graphite, spice, and light chocolate. The length and balance to this is superb. Don't miss it. Drink or hold.
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 91 points: The 2013 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is a bold, powerful wine. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint and rose petal meld together in the glass to give the 2013 its supple, unctuous personality. This is a serious appellation-level...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: 92+ The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, which is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 3% Syrah, shows a dense ruby/purple color, super concentration, chocolate, a touch of oak and a medium to full-bodied...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 91 points: The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is dark, fleshy and seductive, but also light on its feet and gracious. Black cherry, plum, rose petal, smoke, tobacco, licorice and cedar are some of the signatures. Classic and medium in...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec, is a beauty. It's also realistically priced by Napa standards. The wine reveals toasty oak, blackberry and cassis...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2013 Papillon Proprietary Red is 100% from Napa and is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This killer wine has an inky purple color and offers notes of...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: Easily the top wine from this team, the 2013 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard offers sensational minerality in its underbrush, cassis and currant-laced bouquet. One of the richer, more full-bodied efforts, it has a great...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: Glorious aromas, like walking into a flower shop, from roses to lilacs. Lots of dark fruit too. Then goes to slate and dark mushroom. Full body, super refined tannins and refresh and ultra-clean finish. A thoroughly...
jamessuckling.com, 90 points: Bright and fruity style of merlot with blueberry and blackberry, light and silky tannins and a bright finish. High-toned but fresh and clean. Drink now.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: I loved Kobalt’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon. At 100% of the varietal, this 490-case cuvée made by Mark Herold has an opaque purple color, notes of pen ink, blackberry and cassis, cedar wood, a touch of toasty oak and plenty...
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