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...
Vinous, 97 points: (95-97 points) The 2020 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a showstopper. Super-ripe red cherry jam, spice, rose petal, mint and blood orange explode from the glass. Even with all of the opulence of the year, the Colson...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2016 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard is fabulous and also shows just how well suited parts of this site are to Syrah. Dense and pliant, with tremendous character, the 2016 has so much to say. Inky dark fruit, leather...
Vinous, 93 points: One of the highlights in this range, the 2019 Syrah is gorgeous. Bright red/purplish berry fruit and floral notes race out of the glass. The 2019 was done in equal parts of cement and neutral French oak, an approach that...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: Deep and powerfully built, with a rich and polished texture that highlights wild berry and blueberry flavors that show notes of espresso, smoky beef and black pepper. Finishes with big but refined tannins. Syrah and...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: Lusciously textured, this beautiful wine is brimming in layers of blueberry, lavender and stone. With fresh acidity throughout, it offers sumptuous body weight and a length of baking spice and peppery spice that meets a...
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 Enthusiast, 94 points: Earthy, burly and brightly lifted by underlying acidity, this impressive wine is wild and complex. Moderate ripeness is highlighted by bold flavors of blueberry, dark cherry and dark chocolate. The richness is balanced...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: The 2019 Syrah Rosella's Vineyard comes from a great vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands located in the middle of the appellation. Revealing a dense purple hue as well as gorgeous black raspberry, red plum, candied...
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
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: Lastly, the 2019 Syrah Papa's Block is similarly inky-hued and boasts a big, juicy, unevolved bouquet of blueberries, ground pepper, bacon fat, and cedary spice. As with all of Mike's 2019s, it's beautiful on the palate...
jamessuckling.com, 99 points: Amazing aromas of graphite, blackcurrant, black pepper, and blue fruit. Slate, too. Full-bodied, yet so agile and light, in a way that makes it irresistible to taste and drink. The palate is full of flavor with...
Wine Enthusiast, 92 points: This annually anticipated bottling offers a blend of Doug Margerum's top barrels from a variety of vineyards. In this vintage, aromas of baking spice and red fruit come with minty sagebrush lift. Herbs, from oregano to...
Vinous, 94 points: The 2016 Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside Estate showcases Bob Lindquist's style at its very best in its exquisite elegance and nuance. Dark cherry, plum, licorice and spice all develop in the glass, but it is the wine's...
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...
Vinous, 96 points: The 2018 Syrah Clary Ranch is one of the most distinctive wines in this lineup. A rush of sweet red plum, pomegranate, blood orange, iron, mint and sage builds as this powerful, intensely savory Syrah builds in the glass...
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...
Vinous, 94 points: The 2018 Syrah impresses for its precision and nuance. There is plenty of the textural richness readers have come to expect from Pride, but that is balanced by striking aromatic definition and presence. Floral accents...
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