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, 93 points: This exuberant wine from the estate site offers rich tones of forest floor and black tea. The palate brings wild strawberry, boysenberry and dried herb tones that veer into an intriguing note of white pepper on the...
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...
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...
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...
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, 93 points: A wine of total sensuality, the 2017 Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch brings together many of the elements that make the Anthill Farms Pinots so compelling. Sweet, pliant and enveloping, with lovely aromatic top notes, the...
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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: The 2018 Pinot Noir Harmony Lane Vineyard is lush and inviting on the nose: aromas of rhubarb, boysenberry, crushed blackberries are accented by licorice and loads of potpourri-like nuances. The palate is wonderfully...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: This appellation blend offers aromas of candied red cherry, strawberry and mint on the nose. The palate packs fresh, zesty and ripe red fruit with a complex array of herbs and spices, from tarragon and chamomile to...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: Moving to the Pinot Noirs, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is the appellation release from Hobbs, and it's brought up all in French oak. Black raspberries, bouquet garni, crushed flowers, and honeyed strawberry...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: (96+ points) The 2018 Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch is an incredibly expressive wine, with a savory blend of crushed cranberry and blackberry fruit accented by notes of fragrant earth, lavender, charcuterie, fir and Angostura...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: Mouthfilling flavors of dark cherry, dried currant and raspberry tart are plush and loaded with spicy richness. Cream and white chocolate elements flood the long, rich finish, along with hints of forest floor and a subtle...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: An attractive array of brambly wild-cherry aromas lead to a palate that has a succulent, restrained and vibrantly elegant texture with juicy, lithe red cherries. Impressive structural detail. Drink or hold.
jamessuckling.com, 92 points: This has a vibrant, raspberry and dried red-cherry nose with earthy and spicy complexity. The palate has a sleek and fluid channel of ripe red cherries, carrying even and fresh. Drink or hold.
jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: Moving to the reds, the appellation 2018 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast was just about completely destemmed (2% stems) and spent 10 months in 18% new French oak. Lots of spice box, earthy forest floor, cherries, and redcurrant...
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