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, 96 points: This is an awesome expression of cool climate Syrah, with rosemary-crusted lamb chops, peppercorns, asphalt and elderberry-jam aromas starting the show. The palate is intense with cracked pepper, bay leaf, rosemary oil...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: 95+ Blended of 90% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah, the deep purple-black colored 2015 Relentless has a total rock-star nose of flamboyant blackberry pie, plum preserves, mulberries and licorice scents with hints of Sichuan...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: Reminding me of a top Hermitage, the 2012 La Sangre de Jonata checks in as a blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier that's aged primarily in neutral and larger oak barrels. It's flat-out gorgeous in 2012 and gives up tons of...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: While the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs get most of the love from this terrific estate, don’t miss their Syrahs! The 2016 Syrah Wild Mountainside is a power-packed, deep, rich, concentrated beauty that offers sensational...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: A perennial standout, this Syrah is cofermented with 10% Viognier, all fruit sourced from a site on the western edge of Sonoma Mountain in the cool confines of the Petaluma Gap. Beautiful and bold, it imparts a focused...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Bold blueberry and smoky meat aromas lead to complex, expressive flavors of dark plum, crushed stone and licorice that linger toward big but ripe tannins. Drink now through 2027. 175 cases made. –TF
Vinous, 95 points: The 2013 Syrah Eddie's Patch Hoppe-Kelly Vineyard is the last wine made from this site before the vines were taken out in preparation for replanting. The Eddie's Patch is marked by a more voluptuous, fruit-driven...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Plump and rich, yet balanced, with a vibrant core of complexity, offering expressive dark berry, smoky anise and mocha espresso flavors that persist toward firm tannins. Best from 2020 through 2026. — T.F.
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: As with the ’14, the 2012 Syrah Rodgers Creek Vineyard saw a whopping 10% Viognier. It’s still young and offers a sensational perfume of currants, smoked meats, olives, spices, and crushed flowers. It’s a full-bodied...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: Plush, rich and impeccably structured, with floral blueberry and raspberry aromas accented by smoked pepper and complex, expressive flavors that combine mineral-tinged tannins with plump fruit. Best from 2018...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: A step up over the Grenache, the 2015 Syrah Bien Nacido is 100% varietal and spent 30 months in all new French oak. This deep, inky-colored effort has textbook Bien Nacido notes of iodine, smoked meats, leafy herbs...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2014 Syrah Domaine Des Chirats comes from Rockpile. It is a collaboration with Yves Cuilleron from France’s Northern Rhône. This is made from what is believed to be Chapoutier suitcase clones. It is 100% Syrah aged in...
Vinous, 94 points: Vivid purple. Heady, spice-tinged aromas of blackberry and blueberry preserves, along with suave candied violet and cracked pepper nuances that gain volume with air. Black and blue fruit liqueur and spicecake flavors show...
Connoisseur's Guide, 95 points: Intensely spicy with a wealth of pepper and game tagging it as Syrah in no uncertain terms yet also wonderfully deep in ongoing blackberry-like fruit, this exquisitely structured wine manages to be big, balanced and...
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