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.
jebdunnuck.com, 90 points: Starting with the 2017 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley, which comes from multiple sites in the Anderson Valley and spent 16 months in 60% new French oak, it has a juicy berry-fruited nose as well as ample violets, candied...
jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Prince of Hearts Paradise Hills Vineyard is another juicy, delicious wine from this estate, and at the price, it certainly represents value. Giving up plenty of...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: Including 3% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is a brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon that offers textbook blackcurrants, green tobacco, iron, and salty mineral aromas and flavors. Rich, full-bodied, nicely...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: 96+ Moving to the reds and a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot that was brought up in 55% new French oak, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cuvée is deeply colored and has a Bordeaux-like...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: Hailing from Josh Jensen's iconic vineyard at 2,200 feet above the Salinas Valley, this is an epic Chardonnay, loaded with clean, lively aromas of cherimoya, honeysuckle, sweet cream, crisp peach, struck flint and chive...
jebdunnuck.com, 98 points: The flagship 2017 Estate Cuvée (49% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 21% Petit Verdot) spent 15 months in 90% new French oak, and I certainly blew the barrel review on this wine. It offers a brilliant bouquet of crème...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: The second vintage from this site, the Martinelli family's Charles Ranch, this white shows salt and mineral characteristics from the start. Floral, earthy and herbal, it has a light touch of richness to the apple and pear...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: This has very complex aromas of primary fruit, wild herbs, blue fruit and a spicy, meaty edge. Assertive oak meets rich fruit. The palate is impressively pure, supple and richly flavored with blueberries and cherries...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: Ma Douce comes from a vineyard in Fort Ross-Seaview—not far from Marcassin Vineyard. It is planted mainly to Old Wente clone selection. The 2017 Chardonnay Ma Douce comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of...
jamessuckling.com, 92 points: This has a vibrant, raspberry and dried red-cherry nose with earthy and spicy complexity. The palate has a sleek and fluid channel of ripe red cherries, carrying even and fresh. Drink or hold.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: 93+ The 2017 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict is pale to medium ruby and slowly reveals spiced cranberry, crushed raspberry, orange peel, tree bark and amaro hints with savory notions of peppered meats, dried rose petals...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: 94+ The 2017 Pahlmeyer, bottled at the beginning of September, contains no Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc this year, as that fruit was smoke tainted. Only Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot made the cut this year. Very deep...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: From a block planted in 1972 by the famous farmer, this outstanding white showcases salty stone and turned earth, with dried herb, baked lemon and green apple layered between powerful complexity and lasting elegance...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated cuvée is the 2017 El Desafio De Jonata, which includes 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. It's another inky colored wine from this team and offers a brilliant...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: From a site farmed by the Martinelli family to the producer's specifications, this white is quenching in a depth of acidity, with cool-climate freshness throughout. Gravenstein apple, clove, Meyer lemon and nutmeg provide...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Deep and hearty aromas of stewed plum, blueberry and a touch of violet stay smooth and balanced on the nose of this blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache. The texture is immediately compelling, with firm...
Wine Enthusiast, 92 points: This is a nicely made wine, its oak barrel-influence up front yet subdued. Caramel, lemon curd and graham cracker are complemented by mineral components of stone and sea air in addition to an impressive lift of tangerine...
jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: The 2017 Secret Blend Red Wine is another outstanding effort and checks in as 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, sourced from five separate sites and aged 18 months in 49%...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Silky smooth and sculptured in crisp apple, pear and integrated oak, this showcases the famous site in all its complex glory, with accents of baking spice and brine. Medium bodied, it displays richness within a context of...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: (91+ points) The 2017 Chardonnay Cahill Lane, from Wente clone vines, features white peach, Bosc pear, gunflint hints and rocky notes with toasty and citrus character. The palate is light to medium-bodied and lightly...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: One of the finest Sauvignons from California, the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Ritchie Vineyard (100% Sauvignon aged 18 months in 40% new oak) is a serious, concentrated effort that competes with any number of Bordeaux Blanc out...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: Leading off the Chardonnays from Hobbs, the 2017 Chardonnay Russian River Valley comes from multiple sites and spent ten months in 55% new French oak. Its medium gold color is followed by a rich, upfront bouquet of...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: Wonderful blackberry and blackcurrant aromas here with hints of mint and fresh sage. Some cassis. Wrought iron, too. Full-bodied, tight and elegant with lovely tension. Beautiful. Ends fine and focused. Drinkable now, but...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Alluring, featuring blackberry, blueberry and açaí berry aromas and flavors, laced with graphite and violet notes and backed by a hint of lavender. Very expressive, showing lovely range, as well as the stuffing and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: The 2017 Chardonnay Grace Benoist Ranch leaps from the glass with scents of peach cobbler, pineapple upside-down cake and green guava with hints of butterscotch and preserved ginger. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lovely...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: The 2017 Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard is slightly deeper colored (it's still translucent) and offers a gorgeous nose of ripe redcurrants, cherries, spring flowers, sappy forest floor, and ample spice nuances. With medium to...
jamessuckling.com, 91 points: Sliced dried-lemon and green-apple aromas and flavors. Cooked apples, too. Full-bodied, flavorful and delicious. Opulent white. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now.
Wine Enthusiast, 92 points: Blending 62% Merlot, 22% Malbec and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, winemaker Elias Fernandez shows his skill, producing a thick, earthy and spicy red with vibrant red fruit. Ripe firm tannins add weight and power to the...
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I just ordered some more wine from my favorite place [JJ Buckley]. You have to try them, they make everything so easy! They provide an overview of your selection and even recommendations. Give them a try, you won't be disappointed.
-David C., September 2019