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 Tasting Panel Magazine, 99 points: Mesmerizing aromas of earth, violets, and fresh black and blue fruit give way to chalky tannins that dry the palate—part of that is pure youth. The acidity lifts the flavors to compensate for the tighter grip. Savory...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: Coming all from the Crocker Estate fruits and 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, brought up in 60% new French oak, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon RLC reveals a deep purple color as well as medium to full-bodied richness, lovely notes...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: (94+ points) The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Vineyard is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and an earthy nose with kirsch, black berries...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: The medium-bodied, more elegant 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc) reveals a nuanced bouquet of black raspberries, red cassis, graphite...
Wine Enthusiast, 98 points: This stellar, powerhouse wine is perfumed in aromas of pencil, leather and sage that season a core of mineral and crushed rock. The fruit is equally savory in currant and plum, with a dusting of dark chocolate. Enjoy...
Wine Spectator, 95 points: Features black currant, blackberry and boysenberry reduction flavors that are tightly coiled for now, carried by well-embedded acidity and racy graphite notes. The long finish pumps out fruit, with extra anise and sweet...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: Lastly, the 2016 Prince of Hearts Red is based on 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot, all aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. It’s another seamless, elegant wine from the...
jamessuckling.com, 99 points: Aromas of sweet berries, fresh herbs, currant bush and licorice. Terracotta. Full body, layered and soft, velvety and focused tannins. Breathtaking texture. The focus ad polished is phenomenal. Harmonious. Enticing...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: This pure cabernet sauvignon shows amazing aromas of black currants, violets and blueberries that follow through to a full yet very tight and fine-grained tannins. Extremely long and exciting. Purity and bright. Drink...
Decanter, 97 points: Wiry, opinionated and something of a recluse, Randy Dunn has a reputation for making sleek, powerfully structured, extremely ageworthy mountain cabernet. He is also adamant on the topic of ripeness, vowing in 2007 that he...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The 2016 Arise Proprietary Red is a blend of 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. It has a deep garnet-purple color and opens with fragrant black cherries, black raspberries and warm...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection St. Helena comes from more sandy, gravelly soils and it’s a more fruit-forward, elegant effort that has impressive red currants, vanilla bean, and spice. It’s another...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Attractive aromas and flavors of black olives and plums. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a juicy finish. Nice, linear tannins. Turns chewy and muscular. Precise and focused. Give it some time. Drink in 2022.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: (97+ points) A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is deep garnet-purple colored and features gregarious crème de...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: (93-95 points) Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is another pure, elegant, classic wine from this estate. Blueberries, tobacco leaf, forest floor and underbrush notes all emerge from...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The 2016 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard comes from the Z block and is co-fermented with 2% Viognier. It has a very deep purple-black color with vibrant magenta hints and an exuberant, wonderfully powerful nose of black and...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: There’s a lot to like about this blend of 95 per cent cabernet sauvignon with some cabernet franc and petit verdot. It delivers deeply ripe plums and blackberries with the right balance of ripeness and freshness. Drink or...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Rich aromas of blueberry, dried cherry, clove and sandalwood. It’s full-bodied with firm, smooth tannins. Spice and dried fruit peel on the finish. Drink from 2022.
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Impressive aromas of dried flowers, crushed blackberries and plums. Some sweet-tobacco undertones. Full-bodied, dusty and juicy with chewy tannins that are supple and savory, combining with the fruit. Flavorful and...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: This is a flamboyant red that offers hazelnuts, dark berries and a hint of chocolate. Full-bodied with round and soft tannins. So fresh. So rich, enticing and layered. A blend of 84 per cent cabernet sauvignon, nine per...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: Dense in the glass, this blend of 58% Syrah, 19% Mourvèdre, 17% Grenache and 6% Tempranillo begins with intensely smoky dark fruits as well as blackberry jam, violet, wild sage and mint. The mouthfeel is full and rich...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: The 2016 Red Wine is a Merlot-dominated blend (there are normally small amounts of Petite Sirah, Syrah, and other varieties), and while the Prequel cuvée focuses on Sonoma, this wine comes all from the Napa side of the...
Wine Spectator, 96 points: A beauty, with creamed plum, braised fig and melted black licorice notes that are long and deep, gliding through effortlessly and ending with a swath of espresso, loam and smoldering tobacco details. Hard to resist now...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: (97+ points) The 2016 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard is composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot aged 19 months in French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: The 2016 Ingenuity is blended of 54% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 16% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache. It was made using 10% whole cluster and aged 19 months in 75% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has a deep ruby-purple...
jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate is the larger production red from this team, yet it certainly gives a good view into the quality coming from the Hilt wines. Black cherries, black raspberries, graphite, peppery herbs, and...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: This is the debut vintage of this wine from the esteemed Bordeaux owner, Alfred Tesseron, who bought the property in the Napa mountains in 2016. Aromas of plums, wet earth, fresh herbs and tobacco. Some green olives...
jamessuckling.com, 92 points: A deep and highly structured Napa merlot that has a lot more to give than the majority of wines in this category. The very ripe cherry and red-plum aromas are neatly wrapped around the full, fine tannins and the delicate...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: The deep purple-black colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate Vineyard comes strutting out of the glass like a total rock star, giving up flamboyant notes of warm cassis, blueberry compote and preserved plums with...
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