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: From the beautiful, historic site planted to some of the oldest vines of the variety in Northern California, this delicious white explodes in juicy green apple and an intensity of fresh-squeezed lemon. That succulence...
jamessuckling.com, 92 points: An authentic sauvignon blanc that shows elegance and harmony. Sliced pear, mango and lemon skin. Full body, refined texture, medium to high acidity with a clear finish. Drink now.
Wine Enthusiast, 90 points: Fragrant in white flowers, this wine offers sizzling freshness and stony backbone. Melon, lemon, lime and tangerine all play a part in contribution to its fruit-forward complexity and long-lasting appeal. Small amounts of...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: Wow. The complex aromas are so compelling with sliced apples, lemons and cream. Some minerals and mustard seeds, too. Full-bodied, yet vivid and bright with sliced green apples, lime and green mangoes. Excellent intensity...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Smooth and succulent, offering ripe pear, yellow apple and peach flavors that are bright and crisp on a juicy frame, with a hint of Key lime pie lingering. Drink now. – MW
Vinous, 94 points: The 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Vogelzang Vineyard offers tons of varietal character, with a sense of vertical lift and structure that gives the wine its distinctive shape. Orange peel, mint, jasmine and a host of tropical...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Aromatic and distinctive, with rich notes of honeycomb, coconut oil and lanolin that give way to fresh apricot and mango flavors, freshened by a crisp jolt of acidity akin to a squeeze of lime juice. Despite the lush...
Decanter, 96 points: Salicutti's Francesco Leanza says that 2013 is the latest harvest he can remember, having started on 2nd October, and the result is superb. He deemed the vintage good enough to bottle his 'Piaggione SV' Riserva, which...
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