California is famous for its vineyards. Many memorable vacations take place in Napa Valley and other vineyard areas in the state. If you cannot travel to California, you can always bring the best the state’s vineyards have to offer by bringing the wine to your home. Here is a selection of the best wines from California for your next wine tasting.
La Sangre de Jonata
Composition: 99% Syrah and 1% Viognier. Price: $139.99
“A polished and perfumed Sangre in the same family as our favorite vintages: 2006, 2008 and 2010. While it certainly doesn’t lack power, it wows with its silky fruit and seductive structure. Just open enough to enjoy today and endowed with the muscle to last a decade, this Sangre showcases the maturing syrah vines at Jonata. It seems to gain momentum with every new vintage. Certainly no shrinking violet…more of a rose about to bloom.” Matt Dees, Winemaker
Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Composition: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Price: $3,499
“The perfect 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Screaming Eagle is composed of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Made in the classic, iconic Screaming Eagle style that the original proprietress, Jean Philipps, first showcased in the early 1990s, before the winery was sold to Stan Kroenke, the inky/purple-colored, seamless 2012 possesses an extraordinary set of aromatics consisting of pure blackcurrant liqueur, licorice, acacia flowers, graphite and a subtle hint of new oak. Full-bodied, opulent and voluptuous, this profound wine is as prodigious as I thought it would be last year when tasted from barrel. It should age effortlessly for 20 or more years.” Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Sine Qua Non Dark Blossom Syrah 2011
Composition: 84% Syrah, 8% Grenache, 4% Petite Sirah. Price: $789
“The 2011 Syrah Dark Blossom showed even better from bottle than barrel. A blend of 84% Syrah, 8% Grenache, 4% Petite Sirah and the rest Roussanne and Petite Manseng, this beauty was fermented with 17% whole clusters and aged in equal parts new and used French oak. One of the shining successes in the vintage, it’s a full-bodied, concentrated and layered Syrah that has awesome aromatics of blackcurrants, Peking duck, pepper, licorice and charcuterie in its seamless, thrillingly pure profile. As with Manfred’s other 2011s, the tannins are certainly present, yet they’re sweet, polished and have no hard edges.” Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Schrader T6 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Price: $399
“Tightly wound, intense and potent, with explosive dark berry, spice, cedar and mocha flavors. Among the most closed and backward of the 2010 Schraders, this nonetheless delivers Napa Cabernet’s proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove.” James Laube, Wine Spectator
Harlan Estate The Maiden
Price: $345 (2013)
“The 2013 The Maiden is gorgeous. Deep, fleshy and expressive, but very much medium in body, the 2013 is pure finesse. Sweet floral and spice notes add attractive upper register, but it is the wine’s total sense of poise that truly stands out. The Maiden is another recent wine from Harlan Estate that reflects a move towards greater finesse. The 2013 is an absolutely exquisite Maiden.” Antonio Galloni
Scarecrow M. Etain Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Price: $349
“Produced from younger vines on the estate and containing 3.5% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon M Etain reveals a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crème de cassis, dark chocolate and espresso with dried herbs, preserved plums and licorice. Full-bodied and sporting a great concentration of expressive black fruits and spices, it has an approachable frame of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with herbal and earthy nuances.” Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Colgin IX Estate Red 2009
Composition: Bordeaux Red Blends. Price: $499
“Phenomenal aromas and flavors of pure fruit with stones and rock. Turns to mint and eucalyptus. Full body, with powerful yet polished tannins. Creamy and fresh. Changes continually. The finish goes on for minutes Savory. And juicy.” James Suckling
Dalla Valle Maya Proprietary Red Blend 2011
Composition: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc. Price: $379
“Supple and creamy, especially for the vintage, with rich, vivid blackberry, currant, cedar and loamy earth notes. The crushed rock minerality keeps the flavors in check on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2024.” Wine Spectator
If you would like to plan a visit to California to taste these wonderful wines where they are made, please enjoy our advice on how to tour Napa Valley. Be sure to try all of these wines from California then let us know which is your favorite!
