California

Country: US / Stony Terrace Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Black Kite / Anderson Valley Tasted in May of 2012, this shows an immaturity, where all the parts haven’t yet come together. It has a big, rich black-cherry flavor, with elaborate smoky oak, brisk acidity, firm tannins and heat from the alcohol all vying for […]

Country: US / Variety: G-S-M California Winery: Standing Sun / Santa Barbara County Made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, this is a simple, soft wine. It shows California-sweet raspberry and cherry flavors. You can even chill it a little bit.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Trim / California This offers lots of oak-infused blackberry jam and chocolate flavors. It’s a little bit too soft and sweet.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Grigio California Winery: Bargetto / California At the time of tasting, this wine was slightly sparkling, providing a pleasant tingle to the lemon, lime and yeast flavors.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Prominence / Rutherford Made using a custom crush facility based in Santa Barbara County, this Napa Valley Cabernet is dry and jammy-sweet in cherry and blackberry. The finish is sharp, and the wine isn’t age worthy.

Country: US / Variety: White Blend California Winery: Pandemonium / California If you like your white wines sweet and crisp, then this one’s for you. Made from Chardonnay, Moscato, Sémillon and Viognier, it’s has orange, pear and honeysuckle flavors.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Gen5 / Lodi This starts out with cranberry and dark cherry flavors, with a hint of blackberry. It has good tannin structure but not much depth. Simple, it’s ready to drink now.

Country: US / Salvador Vineyard Variety: Zinfandel California Winery: Turley / Contra Costa County There’s something vegetal on this Zin that lowers its score. It’s dry and smooth in tannins, and it shows some complexity, with pleasant blackberry flavor.

Country: US / Dogtown Vineyard Variety: Zinfandel California Winery: Turley / Lodi This is a sound example of the warm-climate style of Zinfandel. It’s high alcohol gives it a hot, chili-pepper-like sting, and the blackberry fruit has a Port-like, raisiny edge.

Country: US / Lot 55 Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Stave & Hoop / Santa Barbara County Here’s a soft, seemingly sweet and simple wine, with jammy orange, mango and buttered toast flavors.

Country: US / Lytton Springs Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Ridge / Dry Creek Valley This tastes hotter than the official alcohol of 14.4% abv, giving it a heat that combines with the pepper flavor that lends a prickliness. A flavor of overripe raisin also shows up in this dry blend, which is based on […]

Country: US / Tolleson High Corniche Variety: Sauvignon Blanc California Winery: Parkers Estate / Sonoma County This wine seems sweet, with apricot, orange, lemongrass and vanilla flavors. A good blast of acidity provides balance.