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.
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Wonderful aromas of fresh herbs, such as sage and mint. Currants. Extremely aromatic. Full body. Fantastic tension and focus. Reminds me of the 1974. Really exceptional. Gorgeous. Cool and sleek. Try after 2023, but...
Vinous, 94 points: The 2017 Pinot Noir Comptche Ridge is one of the most intriguing, layered Pinots in this range, as it so often is. Bright and precise in feel, the Comptche Ridge is built on a palpable sense of linear energy. A whole...
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, 94 points: The 2017 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard, which comes from a great vineyard in Carneros, ratchets up the intensity and richness yet still delivers a beautiful vibrancy and freshness. Lots of caramelized lemon, tart pineapple...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Extremely aromatic with crushed berries, currants, flowers and hints of uncured tobacco leaf. Carnations. Medium to full body and extremely fine tannins that are firm and polished. Vertical tannins draw you down. Some...
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, 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...
Vinous, 97 points: The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is sure to make Dunn fans happy. Powerful and ample, it marries the natural intensity of the year with the savoriness that makes Howell Mountain Cabernets so distinctive. Dark...
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...
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...
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...
Vinous, 93 points: The 2017 Chardonnay Cahill Lane Vineyard is a rich, unctuous wine that shows all of the natural concentration of the year. Apricot, butter, spice, orange peel and touch of reduction give the 2017 Cahill Lane its...
jebdunnuck.com, 92 points: Moving to the two Pinot Noirs, the 2017 Pinot Noir Cleary Ranch The Settler from the Cleary Ranch Vineyard was all destemmed and brought up in 38% new French oak. It has a rocking nose of spiced cherries, raspberries...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is such a gorgeous wine. In 2017, the Frog's Leap Cabernet has a bit more depth and richness, as it often does in warmer years. Cedar, tobacco, mint and sweet red cherry are all pushed forward...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Rather rich, flamboyant and decadent with bright raspberries, mushrooms and bark. Full-bodied, yet very tight and refined, with firmness and length. Racy and fine for a 2017. No cabernet franc in the blend, just cabernet...
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...
Vinous, 95 points: (95+ points) Forman's 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulous. Rich and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2017 has gorgeous depth and a touch of exoticism that is so appealing. Ripe red berry fruit, floral overtones and a...
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...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: This is a really excellent CrossBarn with beautiful currant and savory character. Hint of menthol. Full-bodied, round and flavorful. Yet, it’s not overdone. Ready to drink! Tastes like a Napa cab for double the price...
Vinous, 94 points: Sandhi's 2017 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict is beautifully layered and nuanced. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, mint and white pepper all grace this exquisite Pinot. The 2017 is wonderfully deep, fleshy and...
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: 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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: (92 - 94 points) A finished tank sample, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is made using about 25% whole-cluster fermentation—the first time, David Ramey says, that they've experimented with whole cluster. Pale to...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Lithe and delicately balanced, with vibrant lemon custard, blanched almond and steely citrus tones that take on richness and speed on the long finish. Drink now.
Vinous, 96 points: Inky ruby. An assertively perfumed bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented black and blue fruits, candied violet, pipe tobacco and incense, and allspice and licorice notes emerge as the wine opens up. Powerful, spice-laced...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: The Coteaux Nobles Pinot Noir comes from 27-year-old vines planted at the Nobles Ranch vineyard in Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2017 Pinot Noir Coteaux Nobles has the most intense, fragrant...
jebdunnuck.com, 91 points: The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru is a darker, more smoky, backward effort. Currants, scorched earth, roasted herbs, tobacco, and chocolate notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced 2017 that has present...
Wine Enthusiast, 91 points: Well-balanced and refreshing, this dry wine blends mineral and chalk aspects with tasty raspberry flavors. It is a slightly restrained, elegant expression that will please many. JIM GORDON
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...
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