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.
Baked-blueberry, spiced-cherry, praline and vanilla aromas. Some gravel and pine undertones. It’s full-bodied with firm, tight tannins. Creamy and supple with seamless fruit and hazelnut layers. Sleek and polished...
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...
This is so aromatic with redcurrants, flowers and crushed stones. Some bark and rose stem, too. Full-bodied, yet so refined and textured with a lovely finish of fruit and hints of berry and light chocolate. So delicious...
Another St. Helena release, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Ceanda checks in as 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot, all brought up in French oak. Black fruits, chocolaty herbs...
Wonderful aromas of fresh herbs, such as sage and mint. Currants. Extremely aromatic. Full body. Fantastic tension and focus. Reminds me of the 1974. Really exceptional. Gorgeous. Cool and sleek. Try after 2023, but...
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...
Breathtaking. Exceptional integration of super ripe blackberries and the very finest oak. The tannins build up beautifully, forming wave upon wave as the wine flows across the palate. Then the wave breaks on your palate...
Checking in as close to an even split of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with around 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2018 Prince Of Hearts Red offers a stunning, Bordeaux-like nose of red and black...
The 2020 Chardonnay marries textural richness and energy, all in grand style. Lemon confit, white flowers and light tropical accents lend quite a bit of character. There is striking creaminess and oiliness to the feel...
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper is a huge, dense wine packed with black fruit, chocolate, leather, grilled herbs and earthy tones. This potent, virile Cabernet offers tons of character. I would...
Aromas of terra cotta, chocolate and hazelnut with iron and ink. Dusty. Full-bodied and round. Layered. Flamboyant and juicy. Rather soft and gorgeous. Some walnut and chocolate at the end. Persistent. Always there...
Lifted nose showing aromas of créme de cassis, plums and hints of mint and vanilla. Full-bodied with grainy tannins, ending in a stony finish.
Blackberry, blackcurrant and mint with some sage and crushed-stone undertones. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that are in-check and nicely polished. Smoke, toasted oak and bark at the end, complementing the fresh yet ripe...
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 impressive white delivers a core of quince, lemon rind and apple that blends with accents of white flower and lemongrass. Crisp acidity drives the freshness on the textured palate, offering elegance and plenty of...
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...
Lots of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as classic Mount Veeder notes of lavender, violets, bouquet garni, and rocky, mineral-like notes emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. A deep, full-bodied mountain...
Expressive and complex, featuring an explosion of marmalade, candied lemon peel, peach custard and grilled grapefruit flavors. The smooth, succulent body is highlighted by spice and floral accents, with a juicy core of...
Aromas of ripe blackcurrants, blackberries, licorice, cloves and tobacco. Hints of crushed stones and nut shells, too. Firm and chewy with full body and layers of fine, velvety tannins. Compact and muscular with an array...
This wine vastly overdelivers on its price point—a rarity in its category and peers. Made from grapes throughout the appellation, the majority from St. Helena, it blends in small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec...
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain was aged for 22 months in oak barrels, 84% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it...
Lots of sweet tobacco, chocolate, and earth as well as plenty of dark fruits emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations. This stunning 2018 is full-bodied, concentrated, and light on its feet, with perfect...
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 2018 Pinot Noir Machado is pure class, showing beautiful purity of fruit as well as classic Sta. Rita Hills complexity and spice. Lots of raspberry, strawberry, spring flowers, forest floor, spice, and just a touch of...
Nice fruit definition to this wine with blueberry and blackberry aromas and some toasted oak. Medium-to full-bodied, creamy and balanced with chocolate and hazelnuts. Bright and vivid with just a touch of alcohol...
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- William C., July 2020 “JJ Buckley has the best selection, the best service the best prices and the most knowledgeable wine experts. Why go anywhere else?”.
“JJ Buckley has the best selection, the best service the best prices and the most knowledgeable wine experts. Why go anywhere else?”.
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