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, 96 points: Freshly squeezed nectarines, dried jasmine, orange blossom, vanilla, peach flan, dried mangoes, jack fruit and plenty of bread dough. Full body, a very round and oily mouthfeel, expansive and commanding acidity and a long...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: Beautiful aromas of lilacs and pear blossom. Hints of lemon rind. Full-bodied, vivid and bright with superb depth and length. It finishes with a bang. Great wine. Drink now. Why wait?
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: (WA 93-95 points) A first look at the 2017 Geyserville Proprietary Red Wine revealed immense promise. Despite having been in barrel for a mere six months, it's already offering up complex aromas of raspberries...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: Bottled in August, the 2017 Chardonnay Napa Valley offers Aubert-like notes of white flowers, white peach, tangerine, flower oil, and white flowers. It's rich, layered, so pure and balanced, and is just a class act as...
Vinous, 93 points: (91-93) The 2017 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is a very beautiful wine. The warm vintage produced a Chardonnay that is a bit richer and more generous than has become the norm here in recent years, but the style of the...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Editors' Choice. Bright freshness rules the day in this delicious vintage of Elias Fernandez's side project with Doug Shafer. Green apple, Meyer lemon and lime flavors provide pleasure, with a tense vibrancy and focused...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Winemakers Braiden Albrecht and Andy Erickson crafted magic out of a difficult vintage, picking the grapes for this beautiful white well before the October 2017 fires. It's gorgeously racy and light, bright and effusive...
Wine Enthusiast, 92 points: A whole-cluster pressed white aged in both French oak and stainless steel, this wine is richly woven in lemon verbena, pineapple, quince and grapefruit, its structure complex, lengthy and moderate in acidity.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: A blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache, aged eight months in 30% new French oak, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Red Blend 8 Years in the Desert bursts forth with blackberry pie, warm cassis, licorice...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Aromatic and distinctive, with rich notes of honeycomb, coconut oil and lanolin that give way to fresh apricot and mango flavors, freshened by a crisp jolt of acidity akin to a squeeze of lime juice. Despite the lush...
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