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.
Connoisseur's Guide, 95 points: Intensely spicy with a wealth of pepper and game tagging it as Syrah in no uncertain terms yet also wonderfully deep in ongoing blackberry-like fruit, this exquisitely structured wine manages to be big, balanced and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: As for the 2012 Pinot Noir Lucie Dutton Ranch Widdoes Vineyard Pinot Noir, this is a beauty and attractive pomegranate, plums and Asian spice jump from the glass of this wine that also offers up cherry and blackcurrant...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: There’s a lot to like here, from the initial drive of earth- and graphite-laced blueberry, cassis and dried berry flavors to the touches of cedary oak and crushed rock minerality. A long version, with gripping tannins...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: It’s hard to pick a favorite from this new music-inspired lineup by Steve and Chrystal Clifton, but this slightly older vintage wins, thanks to its dense color, depth of mouthfeel and layers of aroma and flavor. The...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: 94+ The 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Mernet Reserve, which is a blend of 50% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc, may well be Michael Keenan’s favorite wine. Only 500 cases were produced. Chocolaty cassis...
Wine Enthusiast, 92 points: This annually anticipated bottling offers a blend of Doug Margerum's top barrels from a variety of vineyards. In this vintage, aromas of baking spice and red fruit come with minty sagebrush lift. Herbs, from oregano to...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: Of the three Beckstoffer Vineyards, it’s pretty much a joyride as to which one readers may prefer. The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard (readers may remember the 2002 merited a 100-point score) has a...
Vinous, 98 points: The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard has developed into a round, sumptuous Howell Mountain wine with the soft contours and exceptional overall balance. Iron, sweet red cherry, plum, smoke and licorice meld...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The flagship wine at Merryvale is their Profile, and the 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Profile carries a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Beautiful blueberry, white...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: The 2012 Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills is a beautiful effort that spent 16 months in 33% new French oak prior to being bottled un-fined and unfiltered. Showing notions of cherry pits, framboise, mint...
Vinous, 92 points: The 2012 Suzuri Red Wine Shake Ridge Vineyard, Gallica's Grenache-based blend, is supple and radiant throughout. Sweet rose petal, cinnamon ad complexity to a core of red stone fruits. The aromas and flavors are striking...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 99 points: The 2012 Roberta’s Reserve (100% Merlot aged 20 months in 100% new French oak). It is a bigger wine with 14.5% alcohol. It comes from a block of 10-year-old vines planted in heavy clay soils. Stunning aromatics include...
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