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, 89 points: Last Tasted 3/92This wine revealed surprisingly deep color with only a trace of amber at the edge. At first the bouquet was subdued but with airing it revealed intriguing aromas of roasted coffee menthol and sweet fruit...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: Last Tasted 3/92This wine had a saturated deep ruby color that made it look at least ten years younger. The nose was intense but not that evolved. In the mouth the wine tasted surprisingly young dense full-bodied and...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: ...A big and juicy old wine with a youthful heart of fruit. Dark ruby in color with an abundance of blackberry plum dark chocolate tar and mint aromas. Similar flavors make for a full-bodied chewy mouthfeel. Long finish...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 88 points: Two recent bottles of the 1969 have been fully mature but they exhibited no signs of losing their fruit and falling apart. The wine reveals a healthy dark ruby color with light amber at the edge. The nose offers...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: The 1970 has always been considered one of the great B.V. Private Reserves. Well-stored bottles continue to taste brilliantly but they are fully mature and cannot be expected to last much longer. This wine performed...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 88 points: This was an impressive showing for the 1973. At almost twenty years of age it has matured gracefully. The color revealed a slight amber/orange rim and the nose was full of ripe sweet black and red fruits intermingled with...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 88 points: LAST TASTED 6/94 This has consistently been one of the most irregular 1974 Cabernet Sauvignons. I have had it close to two dozen times with some excellent bottles a few outstanding and others hollow over-ripe and dull...
View From The Cellar, 91 points: Therefore, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the 1975 Georges de Latour bottling of cabernet remained so vigorous- perhaps already looking over the far side of its plateau, but not yet in full descent and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: At present the 1976 is undoubtedly the greatest B.V. Private Reserve made in the last 30 years. The wine which has been spectacular from its release continues to be the richest most exotic of all the B.V. Private Reserves...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Chunky well structured and better than expected. Excellent dark red color with aromas of plum cassis and berry and hints of wet earth.Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a long long finish. Still tight; needs time. Not at...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: My ratings on the 1979 Private Reserve have inched up as it begins to justify some of the lavish hype the wine received after its release. It remains a youthful backward Cabernet Sauvignon that should prove to be one of...
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Interesting wines are offered along with "pedigreed" wines I would like to have in my cellar. Excellent advice from Devon M.
-Patrick D., June 2020