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, 97 points: One of the great efforts of recent years, and not surprisingly so, is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, a blend of 81% from Howell Mountain, 11% from St. Helena and the rest Calistoga and Mount Veeder. It is a...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Lots of ripe fruit with very fine tannins and a juicy mouthfeel. Medium to full body, polished and round texture and a flavorful finish. Soft with lots of flavor. Drink or hold.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: Its bigger sister, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous wine with exceptional purity and ripeness, a dense ruby/purple color, and a gorgeous nose of blueberry, blackberry and cassis. Throw in a few floral...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: A complex red with blackcurrants, forest floor and mint. Eucalyptus, too. Love the aromas. Full body with ripe tannins that roll on the palate. Very harmonious and precise. Needs four to five years to come together, but...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Aromas of dark fruit, such as blackberries and black olives, as well as black tea and tanned leather. Raspberries and lemon spices, too. Full-bodied, very tight and polished with beautiful tannins and a weave of fruit and...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: From vines planted in 1972, the 2015 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard is one of the gems in the lineup. Rocking notes of caramelized citrus, lemon curd, salty minerality and loads of marzipan characteristics, full body, a...
Wine Enthusiast, 92 points: This wine is full bodied, dark and brooding—in a good way. It has concentrated flavors of black fruit and ripe red berry as well as attractive oak accents of cinnamon and clove. Fine-grained tannins lend ample support and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: (95-97) As for the 2014s, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Slope from the Hidden Ridge vineyard does not suffer in comparison with the extraordinary efforts of 2013. Still a barrel sample, its riveting richness, concentration...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Cellar Selection. Brawny in supple baked black fruit, this wine is largely concentrated and robust in dense, secondary waves of mocha, black licorice and vanilla. Complex elements of dried herb and sage nip at the palate...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: The 2014s, which will be released next year, all look strong and of similar quality to their 2013 counterparts. The fruit is ripe, the texture is terrific and they are gorgeous Pinot Noirs, but more on them when we get...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Winemakers Braiden Albrecht and Andy Erickson crafted magic out of a difficult vintage, picking the grapes for this beautiful white well before the October 2017 fires. It's gorgeously racy and light, bright and effusive...
Vinous, 97 points: (97+ points) Another stellar wine from Mayacamas, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be quite reticent, which is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects. Even so, the 2015 is dense, powerful and...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: This wine is sourced from the producer's Hillside Estate and Borderline Vineyards two miles south of the winery. It offers toasted oak, leather, clove and cinnamon—a savory profile that's deceptively fresh in underlying...
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