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, 93 points: Expressive and complex, featuring an explosion of marmalade, candied lemon peel, peach custard and grilled grapefruit flavors. The smooth, succulent body is highlighted by spice and floral accents, with a juicy core of...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Very subtle aromas of green apple, pear, kumquat and light peach. Medium to full body with a really refined nature, showing similar flavors to the nose, as well as lightly toasted oak and acacia and nut undertones...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Sliced apples and limes on the nose with grassy and chamomile notes. But then it turns to honeysuckle, chalk and minerals. Full-bodied with papaya, sliced-pear and green-pineapple flavors. Tight and fresh at the end...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: Starting with the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Les Petits Morlet, this comes from declassified lots from the La Proportion Doree cuvée and is 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon aged 14 months in all used barrel. It has a...
jebdunnuck.com, 91 points: This team makes a delicious white. Their 2019 Sauvignon Blanc has pretty peach and pineapple fruits as well as medium-bodied richness, a fruit-forward, pure, elegant character, and a great finish. It's going to be...
jamessuckling.com, 91 points: Sliced dried-lemon and green-apple aromas and flavors. Cooked apples, too. Full-bodied, flavorful and delicious. Opulent white. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now.
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: The producer sources from a handful of exceptional sites here, including Hyde in Carneros and Farina on Sonoma Mountain, as well as its own St. Helena estate. Juicy and lengthy with power and substance, it is fresh and...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Subtle aromas of green mango, green apple, stone, jasmine and minerals follow through to a medium body with an attractive combination of nicely integrated phenolics and acidity. Creamy, subtle finish. A blend of sauvignon...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: One of the finest Sauvignons from California, the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Ritchie Vineyard (100% Sauvignon aged 18 months in 40% new oak) is a serious, concentrated effort that competes with any number of Bordeaux Blanc out...
jebdunnuck.com, 90 points: Based on 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Semillon, the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is a charmer, with up-front citrus, lime, and pink grapefruit notes as well as a clean, lively, nicely balanced, fruit-forward style on the palate...
Wine Enthusiast, 90 points: Mellow on the nose at first, this wine opens up toward aromas of green chile, delicate honeysuckle, sweet lemon and warm concrete. There's a mineral hit of wet gravel at first on the sip, before red-apple flesh and ripe...
jamessuckling.com, 90 points: Aromas of lemon and grapefruit zest, fresh pear and green apple. It’s medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Creamy with a hint of blanched almonds on the finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
jebdunnuck.com, 91 points: I love the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc. This beauty offers loads of bright white grapefruit, crushed citrus, and honeyed mineral notes to go with a supple, fruit-forward, nicely textured style on the palate. It's a joy to drink...
Wine Enthusiast, 90 points: With 3% Sémillon and mainly stainless-steel aged, this medium-bodied white is juicy and lengthy, likable in its immediate approachability. Pear, peach and passion fruit highlight the experience on the palate, the wine...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Philippe Melka makes this perennial stunner for Robin Daniel Lail, the U.S. representative to the Porto Protocol for climate action. It opens in a white flower aroma, with a palate reminiscent of lemon peel and wet stone...
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