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, 95 points: Perhaps the best Tapestry ever made with currant, chocolate and berry aromas and flavors. Full body, layered and rich with a wonderful depth and generosity yet always focused and poised. Better in 2019 but already delicious.
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Aromas of blackcurrant, mushroom, wet earth and bark follow through to a full body, chewy tannins and a stone, berry, chili and spice aftertaste. Muscular and chunky. Very serious. Almost no new oak. This shows the...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: The 2016 Leviathan offers slightly more purity but is largely cut from the same cloth as the 2015, boasting a deep purple color, tons of blue fruits, some tobacco and earthy notes, and a layered, ripe, sexy, incredibly...
Wine Spectator, 95 points: Extravagant, yet balanced and refined, with lush, crisp brioche, fresh ginger and spice, roasted hazelnut and Asian pear flavors that fan out on the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2020. From California.—T.F
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: Another big-time winner, and one of their larger cuvées of just over 9,000 cases is the 2012 Brut Rosé. This is a blend of 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Chardonnay, of which 33% was barrel fermented. This wine is ripe, broad...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: 96+ The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature has a very deep garnet-purple color and opens with wonderfully expressive notes of warm cassis, baked plums, black raspberries and kirsch with suggestions of underbrush, lilacs...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Blackberries, blueberries, forest floor and hints of Spanish cedar. Full-bodied and tight with firm and silky tannins and long and beautiful focus. Goes on for minutes. Terrific wine. Drink or hold.
Wine Enthusiast, 91 points: This is a full-bodied, ripe and mouthfilling wine that offers generous black-plum and black-cherry flavors, a smooth texture and a lingering finish. The aroma is nicely spiced in new oak accents that meld well with the...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: This is made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous historic site, with 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It startles in beauty and grace, with plenty of power and concentration. It's a charismatic...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: The 2016 My Favorite Neighbor is made with the intent of competing with cult Napa Cabernet Sauvignon yet at a more maintainable $80 price point. Coming all from westside Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, mostly on clay...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: One of the richer, fleshier wines in this lineup of 2010 Pinots from Bernardus, the 2010 Pinot Noir Soberanes shows lovely depth and roundness throughout. Spices, menthol and licorice add complexity to the fruit in this...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Fruit-driven, gushing with lively plum, cherry and raspberry flavors, showing subtle shadings of anise, mineral, herb and cedar. An easy-to-enjoy, complex, ready-to-drink style, offering richness and flair. Drink now...
Wine Enthusiast, 97 points: Taut and leathery, this is a thickly tannic, incredibly structured and powerful wine, softened by 7% Merlot and 3% Malbec. Extracted black fruit is poised amongst earthy truffle, crushed rock and black pepper, the aromas...
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I purchased a lot from JJB when I previously lived in California... Always better prices and they'd hold bottles until I put together cases to ship. Great customer service. I moved to Italy 4 years ago and was out of the loop, but I'm back and happy to go with JJ!
-Joseph S., June 2017
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