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: Extreme amounts of cracked black pepper spice up the crumbled lilac, dark-black-plum and snappy red-currant aromas on the dynamic nose of this cool-climate bottling. There's a wild zestiness to the palate, where the...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The 2016 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard comes from the Z block and is co-fermented with 2% Viognier. It has a very deep purple-black color with vibrant magenta hints and an exuberant, wonderfully powerful nose of black and...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: I’ve consistently loved the Relentless cuvée from this team, which is always from a single vineyard and is Syrah-dominated, with about 10% Petite Sirah in the blend. The 2016 Relentless is sensational. Dense purple-hued...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: The 2018 Nuts & Bolts checks in as 100% Syrah from a mix of vineyards that spent 18 months in 85% new French oak. This cuvée always delivers the goods. The 2018 sports a deep purple color, rocking Syrah notes of...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: Leading off the two Syrahs, the 2017 Syrah Cinematique comes from a great vineyard in the Ballard Canyon AVA and was destemmed and aged 20 months in 60% new French oak. Sexy notes of black raspberries, vanilla bean, bay...
Decanter, 96 points: The 2018 Clary Ranch Syrah was harvested on 9 November and has just 11% alcohol! This is perhaps the most extreme Syrah site in California, and the resulting wine a world-class one. Its nose is extremely savoury and...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Blueberry, blackberry and meaty garrigue define this deliciously lush and complex wine, the grape a tragic rarity in the appellation. Thick concentration is lifted by a bright underbelly of fresh, persistent acidity that...
Wine Spectator, 92 points: Opulent and open-knit, with silky black cherry, mocha and orange peel accents that dance on a long and supple finish. Drink now through 2028. 150 cases made. — TF
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Broodingly powerful, with a core of lively acidity and firm tannins. Aromas of boysenberry and crushed rock open to complex flavors of black cherry, smoky beef and grilled herb, finishing with muscular tannins. Hands off...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The 2018 Syrah Wild Mountainside was made with about one-third whole clusters and includes about 5% Viognier. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it has gorgeous aromas of smoked meats, crushed blackcurrants, mint leaves, bitter...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The 2014 Syrah Susan's Hill is a more plush, rounded and soft vintage for this cuvee that offers tons of jammy blackberries, cassis, licorice, chalky minerality and violet aromas and flavors. It has solid underlying...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: Coming entirely from Sonoma County, the 2018 Syrah is a blend of 95% Syrah, 3% Viognier and 2% Grenache. Medium garnet-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with bold notes of black cherries, fresh black plums and ripe...
jebdunnuck.com, 99 points: Lastly, and all destemmed aged 18 months in roughly 70% new French oak, the 2017 Syrah IX Estate needs to be tasted to be believed. It’s hard to understand how this incredible wine was produced in a vintage like 2017...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: The 2014 Syrah Cuvée Christine comes from 100% Syrah sourced from the Kobler Vineyard in the Green Valley of Russian River and the Lawer Vineyard in Knight’s Valley. Seeing 30% stems and 21 months in one-third new French...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Brooding and well-built, with an inky dark color and big but ripe tannins. Offers notes of bittersweet chocolate, blueberry and spicy grilled herb. Best after 2018. 98 cases made.–TF
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