California

Country: US / Collusion Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend California Winery: Clavo Cellars / Paso Robles Sweet, juicy blueberry scents are elevated with teriyaki, beef jerky and vanilla-bean aromas on this dense blend of 45% Petite Verdot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Malbec. It’s thick and rich on the palate, as the nose indicates, showing dark […]

Country: US / Moose Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Calcareous / Paso Robles Very dark in the glass, this is a blend of 86% Syrah and 14% Petit Verdot. Distinct brandy, cognac, cherry cough syrup and chocolate-balsamic reduction sauce notes characterize the nose. The wine coats the mouth with a viscous density and heavy weight, […]

Country: US / Vin Gris de Cigare Variety: Rosé California Winery: Bonny Doon / Central Coast An extremely pale pink, this Randall Grahm-ified blend of 35% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 16% Grenache Blanc, 12.5% Roussanne, 8% Carignane, 8% Cinsault, 1.5% Marsanne and 1% Counoise shows pink strawberry doused in lime juice on the nose. The palate […]

Country: US / Boekenoogen Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Boekenoogen / Santa Lucia Highlands This wine from a family-owned and -run vineyard in the sweet spot of the appellation is shy at first on the nose, eventually offering fresh lime peel and white rock aromas. It’s rather straight ahead on the palate, with lemon juice, nectarine […]

Country: US / Anna’s Vineyard Variety: Viognier California Winery: Adelaida / Paso Robles Inviting aromas of buttered vanilla bean, caramelized apples, honey and yellow cake introduce this single-vineyard wine from one of the region’s most reliable producers. This is a great way for Chard lovers to break out into new territory, with flavors of buttered […]

Country: US / Bilancio Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Pianetta / Monterey Lots of black rocks and turned earth gives depth to the dark black-cherry core elements on the nose of this blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dried cherries, asphalt, espresso bean and chopped herbs arise on the palate.

Country: US / Nelson Vineyards Variety: Viognier California Winery: Orpheus / Mendocino The subdued aromas might indicate a bland wine, but this turns out to be a rich and fairly full-bodied one. Flavors come on strong with vanilla, butter, fig and marzipan. The texture feels nicely thick, carrying along all those flavors to a lingering […]

Country: US / Estate Grown Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Mettler Family Vineyards / Lodi The color is deep, the aromas thick with wood smoke, bacon and dried plums, and the flavors are ripe, like blackberry syrup but dry. This is full bodied and very firm in texture due to mouth-coating tannins that are nearly […]

Country: US / Old Hat Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Lone Madrone / Paso Robles Coming from a vineyard dry-farmed by the Osgood family, this blend of 75% Zinfandel and 25% Petite Sirah shows distinct hot asphalt and gravel notes on the nose along with black pepper, cedar and blueberry fruit. A black-rock minerality drives […]

Country: US / Grande Mélange Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Leoness / Temecula Dried blackberries, tar and pressed purple flowers decorate the extracted nose on this top-end bottling from one of Temecula’s shining star producers. Dark chocolate and olallieberries flavor the palate, which is framed by decent tannins and offers vanilla-cookie warmth on the finish.

Country: US / Black Bear Block Variety: Syrah California Winery: Zaca Mesa / Santa Ynez Valley Zaca Mesa was the first winery to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara County. This wine comes from that 3.5 acre block planted in 1978, and shows deep plum fruits, sweet tar and cedar on the nose. The palate offers […]

Country: US / Variety: Zinfandel California Winery: LangeTwins / Lodi This wine has aromas of currants and strawberries and tastes fruity but dry, with supportive tannins and acidity that make it appetizing. Full bodied but not overpowering, it is very versatile with food.