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, 100 points: The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color. Its nose begins a little reserved, slowly revealing a quiet intensity of freshly crushed blackberries, chocolate-covered cherries, cassis and aniseed with...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up notes of fresh blackcurrants, warm plums...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: 95+ I was able to taste two Chardonnays from Failla. The 2018 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard comes from an estate vineyard in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA and spent 11 months in 10% new French oak. This medium gold-hued 2018 has...
Vinous, 97 points: A model of grace and finesse, the 2010 Estate Cuvee is showing beautifully today. Grilled herbs, smoke, plum and black cherry notes all meld together in an exquisite, gracious wine loaded with finesse and elegance. Today...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Features solid blackberry and raspberry compote notes mixed with red and black licorice and fruitcake flavors. Youthfully packed now, this offers a well-buried juicy spine and an engaging briary edge on the finish, while...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: The 2006 Estate Cuvee State Lane Vineyard (a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc) possesses a dark plum/purple color as well as notes of roasted coffee, cocoa, chocolate, black currants...
Vinous, 94 points: (94+ points) The 2015 Lytton Springs is very, very closed. Readers should not think about opening a bottle anytime soon. Intensely aromatic, but also tightly wound, the 2015 only hints at its true potential. Deceptively...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier comes from a hillside in Knights Valley and is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. It offers sensational notes of crème de...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: The 2018 Nuts & Bolts checks in as 100% Syrah from a mix of vineyards that spent 18 months in 85% new French oak. This cuvée always delivers the goods. The 2018 sports a deep purple color, rocking Syrah notes of...
jebdunnuck.com, 98 points: The flagship is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Alejandro Bulgheroni, a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot that spent 21 months in 77% new French oak barrels. More crème de cassis, toasted bread, graphite...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Blank Stare was 30% barrel fermented and aged for three months. The total amount of new oak in the blend if 17%. This vintage is a knock-out, giving up exuberant green guava, gooseberries and...
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...
Showing 15 of 100 wines
Dear Customer We are having problems processing your request. Please contact our sales office between 9 AM and 5 PM (PST) for further assistance at 1.888.859.4637.
Jeff Loo is the absolute best. If he can’t find what I want, he recommends something very similar. I have zero complaints about my experience with JJ Buckley.
-John s., October 2020