Responsible for over 80% of U.S. wine production, California is a wine-lover's paradise. This year has proved no different. Between November of 2022 and July 2023, Wine Enthusiast's Tasting Department has blind-tasted and rated nearly 3,300 California wines—a hearty collection of Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, Syrahs and more from California's most respected wine regions. The following highest-rated bottles represent what Senior Tasting Editor Jim Gordon considers the product of fantastic harvests from somewhat lesser-known producers. In addition to classic Napa Cabs, "there's a good representation of the Central Coast—Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Cienega Valley—which surprised a lot of us," he notes. Whether you're looking for a bottle to age or drink right now (or both), here are our top 10 California wines to seek out in 2023. Top 10 California Wines of 2023 These wines are the top-scoring wines from California we tasted this year. Why You Should Trust Us All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.