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.
Vinous, 93 points: A classic, Russian River Pinot, the 2014 Widdoes Vineyard is plump, juicy and extroverted to the core. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint and spice notes fill out the wine's generous frame. With time in the glass, some of the...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: New management, farming and winemaking practices at this producer, including a focus on smaller production, are remarkably on display in this delicious white. Golden pear and crunchy apple provide an unctuous...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: This is fantastic on the nose with blackberries and forest flowers. Very aromatic. Full body with soft, well-integrated and medium-grained tannins. Undertones of black olives. Love the hints of sandalwood. Drink or hold.
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: From Tom and Martha May's famous, organically farmed site in the heart of the appellation, this is a blockbuster vintage of the 100% varietal wine, immaculately structured and full of fresh acidity. The menthol is there...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: This is a perennially impressive wine, floral in a heady perfume of white roses. Fresh and fleshy, the expansive palate offers concentrated flavors of kiwi and pineapple. The wine was largely fermented in oak, then aged...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: 92+ The 2016 Papillon Proprietary Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged for 15 months in 45% new French oak. It has a deep garnet-purple color and...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: As with the ’14, the 2012 Syrah Rodgers Creek Vineyard saw a whopping 10% Viognier. It’s still young and offers a sensational perfume of currants, smoked meats, olives, spices, and crushed flowers. It’s a full-bodied...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: Very deep purple-black colored, the 2015 Papillon Proprietary Red features expressive crème de cassis, mulberries, plum preserves and chocolate box notes with wafts of underbrush, dried herbs and Indian spices...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The 2015 Pinot Noir PFV Estate is pale to medium ruby-purple colored with a nose of crushed red currants, red cherries and raspberry leaves with touches of tilled soil and wild thyme. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: This beautiful wine includes 9% Cabernet Franc that gives a lift of floral violet and grainy cedar. Classic all around in its etchings of coconut shavings, graphite, spice and dust, the fruit is additionally savory in...
Decanter, 95 points: It was a great pleasure to visit Rajat Parr in Santa Barbara at the beginning of this year and to see some of the extreme sites his team are farming. Since 2011, Raj and his winemaker Sashi Moorman have been producing...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: This shows the dark sage and tobacco edge of the vintage, with a core of gently steeped plum and blackberry fruit emerging slowly. Smoky details pervade the finish, which displays a serious bolt of graphite. Best from...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: The 2016 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate will give a Grand Cru Chablis a run for its money. Coming from a south-facing amphitheater consisting of rocky, broken soils, and aged in 56% new French oak, it offers more oyster...
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