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.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2019 Román Zinfandel (blended with 4% Barbera and 2% Petite Sirah) has a medium ruby-purple color and gregarious scents of candied peach, wild berry preserves, orange peel and tar. The palate is deeply fruited but...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: A bigger, richer effort based on 96% Zinfandel and 4% Carignan from a site in the Russian River, the 2018 Zinfandel Papera Ranch offers a meaty, powerful bouquet of black cherries, red plums, Asian spices, and chocolate...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2019 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa bursts with singular aromas of dried lavender and citrus peel, smoky, mineral-like undertones and loads of exotic spices over a core of wild berry preserves...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The 2019 Zinfandel Juvenile has a medium ruby color and aromas of earth-laced red and black berries. The palate is soft and alluring with a wealth of ripe fruit and juicy acidity, and it finishes long and uplifted. It's a...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The 2019 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard opens slowly to tar, red cherries, dried flowers and earth on the nose. Medium-bodied, the palate offers loads of fresh berry character with a soft, approachable, fresh structure and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: 93+ The 2016 Zinfandel Old Vine has an open nose of red berry preserves, warm blackberries and stone fruit hints with layers of cinnamon stick, sweet spices, charcuterie, garrigue, turned earth and dried violet. The...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Sleek and multilayered, with dynamic yet elegant raspberry, grilled fennel and cracked pepper flavors that build structure and richness on the long finish. Drink now through 2030. 4,300 cases made. — TF
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Fresh, almost pinot-like sensibility with the mouth feel. A beautifully spread wine that fills the palate, but maintains freshness and brightness. Real purity of fruit here. Lots of black and red cherry. Citrus...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The 2018 Zinfandel Fredericks Vineyard has a medium to deep ruby-purple color. It offers slowly unfolding aromas of tar, apricot, aniseed and earth. The palate is medium-bodied with a grainy, fresh frame and understated...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: Another Russian River Valley release, the 2018 Zinfandel Montafi Ranch (89% Zinfandel and 11% other assorted varieties) is another ripe, sexy wine. A sweet bouquet of mulberries, red plums, brambly herbs, cigar, and spice...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: (95+ points) A big, dense, concentrated Zinfandel (which is the vintage), the purple-hued 2018 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard offers up a rich, full-bodied style as well as loads of blue and black fruits, full-bodied...
Wine Spectator, 92 points: Packing in a lot of structure and personality, this Zin delivers vibrant black cherry, smoky garrigue and green peppercorn flavors that build toward broad-shouldered tannins. Drink now through 2029. 4,000 cases made. — TF
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The 2019 Zinfandel Duarte has a deep ruby-purple color and gregarious perfume of blueberry and blackberry preserves with hints of peaches, aniseed, tar and dried flowers. The palate is medium-bodied, soft, perfumed and...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: From the Mendocino region and basically all Zinfandel (there's one percent Schiava Grossa), the 2018 Zinfandel Dupratt Vineyard gives up loads of spice and cedar notes as well as beautiful wild strawberry and blueberry...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: The 2017 Zinfandel Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard is a bigger, more structured wine and, like the other Zinfandels here, is a field blend aged 10 months in 50% new oak. Beautiful notes of red plums, blueberries, sandalwood...
jebdunnuck.com, 92 points: The 2016 Zinfandel Tofanelli Family Vineyard is classic Zin all the way with its exotic bouquet of spice, cedar, white pepper, and blueberry pie. This medium-bodied, balanced, elegant effort has the class and length to...
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-Evonne B., January 2021