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.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: The 2012 La Joie, which is a blend of 76% Cabernet, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, blew me away. A profound effort, with 55% of it coming from Hillsides in Alexander Valley, 31% from Knights Valley and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: Reminding me of a top Hermitage, the 2012 La Sangre de Jonata checks in as a blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier that's aged primarily in neutral and larger oak barrels. It's flat-out gorgeous in 2012 and gives up tons of...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon, which used to be a proprietary blend and had a somewhat rustic, Italian personality, has now been put under the Inglenook Vineyard designation. Where the Cabernet Sauvignon was a blend...
Wine Enthusiast, 90 points: This brand is winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett’s ode to Rhône, as well as a place for her own Bordeaux-varietal wines. The first vintage of this 100% varietal wine on its own, it’s soft and supple with a tannic backbone...
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, 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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: Pale ruby-brick colored, the 2012 Pinot Noir Great Oak Vineyard has matured into a dried mulberries, kirsch and incense scented notes with nuances of dried roses and fallen leaves. The palate is full bodied and has a good...
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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: The 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2012 Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard is, once again, flirting with perfection. A stunning nose of chocolate fudge intermixed with coffee bean, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit is...
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, 94 points: 94+ I assume the 2012 Proprietary Red Vintage Reserve comes from the winery’s finest lots. It is no wimpy wine at 14.9% natural alcohol and appears to be made from Bordeaux varietals. It demonstrates that like Napa...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Powerfully built, with a brooding personality lingering under the structure of tannins. Aromas of currant and river rock combine with complex, dense flavors of blackberry, licorice and espresso. Hands off for now. Best...
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