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, 98 points: From a single 9-acre parcel the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard exhibits extraordinary aromas of acacia flowers and violets along with an irrefutable minerality an abundance of blueberry and blackberry fruit...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: This lush wine epitomizes the modern Napa style of soft richness and extreme drinkability when young. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it's beautiful now for its blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: A wine that always over-delivers, the 2007 Todos is still gorgeous today. Ripe currants, blackberries, toasted spice, meaty nuances and hints of chocolate all emerge from this opulent, sexy, gorgeously balanced 2007. It's...
Decanter, 94 points: (94 points) Sir Peter Michael’s flagship wine ‘les povets’, or 'the poppies’, delivers a fine and complex full-bodied wine that will reward cellaring. It has a ripe, sweet nose of warm fruit and concentrated blackberry...
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I recommend this site because they have a variety of Californian wines I cannot get on the east coast. They have great prices and make shopping very easy. Their shipping rates are also very reasonable!
-Amanda V., June 2018
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