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.
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: This is made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous historic site, with 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It startles in beauty and grace, with plenty of power and concentration. It's a charismatic...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: Looking at the two releases from Chappellet, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature is the larger production cuvee and sees 22 months in 50% new French oak. Its deep, inky color is followed by an incredibly pure bouquet of...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: 95+ Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Mercury Head opens with gorgeous crushed black currants, blackberries and warm plums with suggestions of lavender, camphor, dark chocolate and pencil lead with...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: This is fantastic on the nose with blackberries and forest flowers. Very aromatic. Full body with soft, well-integrated and medium-grained tannins. Undertones of black olives. Love the hints of sandalwood. Drink or hold.
Decanter, 97 points: Roasted herb, coffee, black cherry and blackberry fruit compote on the nose. The palate is rich and concentrated but never heavy, with a lively acidity providing a sense of movement. Tannins are mighty and show that this...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: (WA 95-98 points) A barrel sample of the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon 55 Degrees Slope looks awesome. It exhibits an opaque purple color as well as beautiful notes of chocolate, blackberries and cassis. Possibly even more...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: 94+ The 2015 Estate Red is deep garnet-purple colored and delivers a good amount of oak-inspired notions to begin over a core of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry pie, preserved plums and chocolate box with hints of...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: (97-100) A barrel sample blended of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec coming from six vineyards and reared in 100% new French oak, the 2015 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine has a very...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: His 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine is a prodigious effort and maybe the best he’s made to date, even though one would expect that, like most wineries, the 2013 or 2015 would be the pinnacle of great Cabernet...
Wine Enthusiast, 97 points: Taut and leathery, this is a thickly tannic, incredibly structured and powerful wine, softened by 7% Merlot and 3% Malbec. Extracted black fruit is poised amongst earthy truffle, crushed rock and black pepper, the aromas...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: In the same mold as the 2014 only slightly deeper, more concentrated, and backward, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon offers loads of blue fruits, cedar, lead pencil, and scorched earth aromatics, full-bodied richness, and...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 93 points: A classic, Russian River Pinot, the 2014 Widdoes Vineyard is plump, juicy and extroverted to the core. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint and spice notes fill out the wine's generous frame. With time in the glass, some of the...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: A very pretty and layered young cabernet with blackcurrant and berry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, fresh and focused. A lovely finish. Hard not to drink this now. You'd want to catch the vibrant fruit now, but it will...
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