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 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is every bit as magnificent as it was last year. A heady, statuesque wine, the 2019 captures all the pedigree of the vintage. Inky red cherry fruit, mocha, licorice and spice race across the...
The 2019 Pickett is the second vintage of Eisele Vineyard's "third" label. A bit less was made this year than in 2018, since more of the production was used in the Cabenrnet Sauvignon and Altagracia labels. Deep...
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Details is stunning. Vibrant and explosive in the glass, the Details Cabernet shows just how compelling Cabernet can be beyond Napa Valley. Gravel, crushed rocks, menthol, licorice, plum and...
This wine shows aromas of black fruit and sweet vanilla, as well as some minty undertones. Full-bodied with quite an overripe-fruit character, yet balanced. Warm and delicious. Drink now.
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Project 18 offers classic Napa Valley cassis and darker, almost blue fruits to go with full-bodied aromas and flavors of graphite, tobacco, leaf, and crushed stone. It’s deep, rich, and...
This densely packed and deeply concentrated blend of Zinfandel with 16% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignan and 2% Mataro is practically legendary. It boasts subtle, complex fruit flavors ranging from raspberry to blackberry to...
An open and beautiful wine with green-olive and currant aromas and flavors. Some bark and earth, too, together with mushrooms, herbs, crushed stones and pomegranate. Medium to full body with round, creamy tannins and...
The 2019 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards takes time to open, metamorphosing from iron and woodsmoke to raspberries, dried flowers, dark spices and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate is silky and seamlessly fresh, loaded...
Including 5% Merlot and checking in at 14.2% natural alcohol, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cuvee sports a semi-opaque ruby hue to go with a classic, almost old-school Cabernet nose of red and black currants...
There’s purity and focus to this wine with blackberry, blackcurrant and spices, such as nutmeg. Ink pot, bark and asphalt, too. So long and polished. Chewy tannins. Hints of stone and ash. 88% cabernet sauvignon. 7%...
Moving to the reds, the 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido reveals a deeper ruby, almost opaque hue as well as a killer bouquet of mulled red and black currants, briny herbs, pepper, and wildflowers. It picks up more salinity...
Aromas of dark plums, black olives, bark, dried herbs and cloves. Medium-to full-bodied with powdery tannins. Rich and creamy with chocolate and black fruit on the palate. Chewy finish with excellent length. Fresh. Drink...
Blackberries, dark wet soil and blackcurrants. Graphite, too. So aromatic. Pure fruit. Full-bodied with superbly polished, fine tannins that draw you down through the center of palate. Extremely layered and the texture is...
Combining 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot from the property, this is a showcase of savory earthiness and supple tannin. Inky dark, it offers a wealth of balanced red fruit, notes of tobacco, gun smoke and dried...
(92 - 94 points) The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out of the gate with loads of blueberry preserves and stewed...
Deep purple-black, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard rockets out of the glass with intense notes of blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves and blueberry pie, plus hints of Chinese five spice, dusty...
A fantastic pinot with such precision and generosity at the same time. Orange peel, red berry, meat, earth and spice aromas that follow through the palate and deliver and full-bodied palate with a creamy texture. Stony...
Aromas of raspberries, cherries and sweet spices. Medium-bodied with sleek tannins. Round and creamy with fruity character. Flavorful finish. Drink now.
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley comes from a mix of all the single vineyards. Readers should never overlook this type of wine, as the ability to blend from multiple sites gives winemakers incredible...
The 2019 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is a very beautiful and expressive wine. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender and spice open in a mysterious, sensual Pinot loaded with class. Vineyards site are Domaine de la Côte, La...
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a new wine made by the Phillips family, owners of Vine Hill Ranch, and winemaker Françoise Peschon. It is without question one of the most impressive debuts I tasted this year. Silky and...
(92 - 94 points) The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint has a deep garnet-purple color and sings of wild blueberries, Morello cherries and red and black currant jellies with touches of dried mint, chocolate box and cedar...
A perennial value that readers should snatch up, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a spicy, red and black-fruited, tobacco and cedar-driven profile as well as full-bodied richness on the palate. It's fruit loaded anad...
This has a beautiful sensation of perfectly ripe merlot with coffee, plum and spice aromas and flavors. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh and bright finish. Orange-peel undertone. Cooler. Crunchy intensity. 80% merlot...
The 2019 Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard is one of the highlights in this range, as it has been in the past. Bright and punchy, with superb definition, the Occidental Ridge possesses superb depth from start to...
This is very perfumed with blackberry and pine-cone aromas, as well as raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins that are tight-grained. Creamy and beautiful. Currant and graphite flavors come...
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- Verified Buyer, May 2022 “JJ Buckley has the best selection of the wines I’m interested in. The service is excellent and the knowledge of their team is second to none”.
“JJ Buckley has the best selection of the wines I’m interested in. The service is excellent and the knowledge of their team is second to none”.
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