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, 95 points: (95+ points) Blended of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot aged 20 months in 49% new French oak, the very deep purple-black colored 2016 Secret Blend gives up a vivacious nose of crushed...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: The 2018 Chardonnay comes 95% from Carneros and 5% from Napa Valley. Barrel fermented in 33% new oak, it spent eight months on the lees, and 18% went through malolactic. It was bottled June 1, 2019. Slowly, it reveals...
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 Enthusiast, 93 points: This widely available wine is a great showcase of a savory Chardonnay, starting with aromas of lime peel, dried lemon, sea salt and sandstone. There is a pleasing salinity to the palate, where seared Meyer lemon and...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: Coming from a block located on a northern facing ridge north of Fort Ross, on the Sonoma Coast, the 2017 Pinot Noir Far Coast Vineyard was destemmed and spent 17 months in 32% new French oak. Bottled unfined and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Louer Family delivers evolving scents of plum pudding, spice cake, incense and cigar box over a core of blackberry pie, baked blackcurrants and molten licorice...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: Coming from estate fruit on Howell Mountain and made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% each of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate offers a darker, more mineral-driven style compared to...
jebdunnuck.com, 98 points: From a site just outside of St. Helena, the mammoth-sized 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard (barrel fermented and aged in 80% new French oak) offers up a smorgasbord of dark, meaty fruits...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: The 2016 IX Proprietary Red Estate is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple, it comes strutting out of the glass with flamboyant Black Forest cake...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Ripe and winey in feel, with a wave of warm black currant and fig compote flavors rolling through, inlaid with cocoa, sweet tobacco and dark licorice notes. This moves slowly but assuredly. Drink now through 2032. — J.M.
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: (96+ points) The 2017 Chardonnay DuMOL Estate comes from vines planted in sandy soils and is a mix of Hyde Wente and Mount Eden clones. It offers rock star notes of tart peach, citrus, and salty mineral and earthy notes...
Showing 15 of 146 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.
Have always been a fan of JJ Buckley, and have recommended to friends and family...I use the storage facilities. and love buying and consolidating, and having wines shipped every now and then.
-Hernan L., June 2020