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, 91 points: This is a full-bodied, ripe and mouthfilling wine that offers generous black-plum and black-cherry flavors, a smooth texture and a lingering finish. The aroma is nicely spiced in new oak accents that meld well with the...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: One of the richer, fleshier wines in this lineup of 2010 Pinots from Bernardus, the 2010 Pinot Noir Soberanes shows lovely depth and roundness throughout. Spices, menthol and licorice add complexity to the fruit in this...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Fruit-driven, gushing with lively plum, cherry and raspberry flavors, showing subtle shadings of anise, mineral, herb and cedar. An easy-to-enjoy, complex, ready-to-drink style, offering richness and flair. Drink now...
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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: The pale ruby-purple colored 2015 Pinot Noir TBH Vineyard has a very perfumed nose of potpourri, violets and warm raspberries with a core of Provence herbs and pepper-laced wild strawberries plus a touch of garrigue. The...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Light raspberry-sorbet notes meet with fresh fennel fronds, pepper and cinnamon on the nose of this bottling from Chad Melville and family. It's tight and tart on the palate, with dried cranberry, pine needle and...
Vinous, 95 points: Another compelling wine, the 2014 Pinot Noir Old Guard is weightless and gracious on the palate, with more aromatic lift and silkiness than the Vanguard. From a flavor perspective, the two wines aren't that different...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2014 Pinot Noir Vanguard is deep and implosive, naturally within the Hilt's generally restrained style. Plum, sweet cherry, spice and menthol are all fused together in a pliant, textured Pinot loaded with textural...
Decanter, 94 points: The most lovely bramble fruit notes hover over raspberry and red cherry aromas, set against a touch of smoke. The winemakers believe that structure should come from the grape rather than oak, and thus 80% of the fruit was...
Wine Enthusiast, 91 points: This appellation blend is plummy on the nose, with additional aromas of wet campfire, elegant violets and turned earth. There is great energy on the palate, with flavors of tart pomegranate and snappy raspberry, as well...
Vinous, 92 points: The 2015 Pinot Noir Estate Sandy's is exquisite. Lifted and precise, with lovely overall balance, the Sandy's is wonderfully complete in 2015. All the elements seem to fall into place effortlessly. The 50% whole clusters...
Wine Enthusiast, 90 points: Showcasing the Pisoni signature of huge, bold fruit, this wine has ripe and savory flavors of raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, persimmon. The wine tastes of oak, too, in the form of vanilla and smoky butter. It's a...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The 2015 Pinot Noir PFV Estate is pale to medium ruby-purple colored with a nose of crushed red currants, red cherries and raspberry leaves with touches of tilled soil and wild thyme. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the...
Connoisseur's Guide, 92 points: Claiming a little more power and punch as the things that set it slightly apart from its mates but no less deep and specific in its well-defined fruit, this weighty, generously filled working steps out as the boldest of...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: This is an intriguingly light, lean and savory wine, true to its extreme Sonoma Coast provenance. The color and texture tip one off to its ethereal nature, a blend of shy cranberry, rhubarb and exotic spice. The long...
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