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 Spectator, 91 points: Pushes ripeness to reveal blackberry, wild berry and blueberry flavors, giving this an assertive, zesty profile that shows some heat and gripping tannins. Ends with a long, lingering finish, revealing anise and dried sage...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: Starting with the 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, which comes from multiple sites and was brought up in 27% new French oak, it has a vivid ruby hue to go with classic Russian River notes of mulled cherry and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2018 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental comes mostly from younger vines at the Occidental property but is made with the same attention to detail as the other wines in the portfolio, using free-run juice. Its nose is an...
jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate is the larger production red from this team, yet it certainly gives a good view into the quality coming from the Hilt wines. Black cherries, black raspberries, graphite, peppery herbs, and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2018 Pinot Noir Hawk Hill Vineyard is the second iteration of this single-vineyard cuvée, which was made with 25% new French and Austrian oak and 50% whole clusters. Medium ruby-purple, it offers gorgeous aromas of...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2016 Pinot Noir was made from UCD 4/Pommard, Dijon 114 and Calera clones, all from the Hyde Estate vineyard on Los Carneros Avenue. Using 5% whole cluster, it was fermented entirely with native yeast and was aged in...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate is a blend of the seventeen clones on the property. Freshly cut flowers, spice, mint, blood orange and dried flowers give the Estate beguiling aromatic complexity and nuance. There is a sense of...
jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: I loved the 2016 Pinot Noir Mardikian Estate Vineyard, and it comes from a vineyard on the Sonoma Coast and is a mix of clones, was destemmed, and spent 11 months in 38% new French oak. Beautiful sweet red fruits, passion...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: Leading off the Pinot Noirs, the 2016 Pinot Noir Wayfarer Vineyard was completely destemmed and spent 15 months in 45% new French oak. It offers a bright framboise, cranberry, exotic flower, and spice-driven bouquet that...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: The energy and focus that is typical of the cooler sites within the Santa Lucia Highlands comes through in the 2010 Pinot Noir Rosella’s. Dark red cherries, flowers, mint and spices are woven together nicely as the wine...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Beautiful dark berries with ripe strawberries and hints of decadence and richness. Some meat, too. Full-bodied, dense and rich with tight and linear tannins. Needs a year or two to soften. Better in 2022.
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...
Wine & Spirits, 93 points: The Anthill team makes several single-vineyard wines from sites in the coastal Sebastopol Hills and in Annapolis, on Sonoma’s far north coast. This bottling is a blend of fruit from those sites, and while it may be less...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: I was able to taste two Pinot Noirs from Bibiana. Coming from the Russian River and first made in 2014, the 2018 Pinot Noir Cuvee Number One comes from a mix of the Pommard, 115, and 114 clones and was completely...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: From a majority of estate-grown grapes and percentage of grower fruit, this impressive wine is juicy, textured, layered and lengthy. With a cool-climate crispness at its foundation, it unfurls lovely flavors of dark plum...
Showing 15 of 131 wines
Dear Customer We are having problems processing your request. Please contact our sales office between 9 AM and 5 PM (PST) for further assistance at 1.888.859.4637.
I just ordered some more wine from my favorite place [JJ Buckley]. You have to try them, they make everything so easy! They provide an overview of your selection and even recommendations. Give them a try, you won't be disappointed.
-David C., September 2019