Californian Wines

With vines planted in almost every area of the Golden State, the California wine region accounts for nearly 90% of total U.S. Wine Production. California's climate, warm with little-to-no rain, contributes to the concentrated fruit and approachability of the region's wines. When studying our California Wine Ratings, it is hard not to recognize the emergence of Napa’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc as top quality wines. Not to be overlooked are the delicate and expressive Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley and Carneros AVA, as well as the robust Zinfandels from the Dry Creek Valley and Lodi region. Even the reds from Monterey, Paso Robles, Mendocino and Lake Counties are gaining attention in our California Wine Guide. With the presence of their wines increasing, California is one of the premier wine producing regions in the world.

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100

points

Sloan 2002 Red Wine (Rutherford)

Price $245

Impossibly aromatic. Hard to imagine greater claret perfume. Shows the most refined mingling of smoky oak, cassis, cherries, roasted coconut macaroon, cocoa puff and spice scents. Absolutely first rate, as good as anything Napa Valley produces. Compellingly, addictively delicious, but so dry and voluptuous. Classic wine, with perfect alignment of fruit, acids… — S.H. (9/1/2006)

100

points

Shafer 2004 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District)

Price $215

A perfect score has to be considered in the context of its region. Shafer’s 2004 Hillside Select is tremendous as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that competes with its peers at the highest levels. It’s always a fabulous wine, but in warm 2004, Shafer’s amphitheater vineyard sheltered the grapes, ripening them to perfection yet protecting the “iron fist in a… — S.H. (3/1/2009)

100

points

Cardinale 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $200

Tasted in a flight of great and famous Napa wines, this Cardinale stood at the head of the pack. Starts with a very fine nose of cedar, cassis, ripe blackberries and violets, then turns dramatic and refined in the mouth. Shows vast depth and length, with the finish a full minute of sweet fruits and spices. Marvelous tannins, so plush and elegant, so powerful yet… — S.H. (3/1/2010)

100

points

Verité 2007 La Muse Red (Sonoma County)

Price $450

This wine dazzles with perfection. Sourced from vineyards throughout Sonoma County, it refutes the belief that a great Cabernet must come from a single vineyard. It does not. The master’s art of blending, coupled with demanding vineyard practices lends completeness. The blend is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec, making it an extraordinary success… — S.H. (7/1/2012)

100

points

Williams Selyem 2007 Litton Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $100

A spectacular Pinot Noir, but a very young one, and extremely dry. It’s a wine of great structure, with rich acids and tannins framing extraordinarily complex flavors of grilled cherries, strawberries and raspberries, with complicating notes of cola, pomegranates, orange zest, anise, dusty Asian spices and smoky sandalwood. A truly great Pinot Noir from a great… — S.H. (2/1/2010)

points

Trefethen 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Oak Knoll)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $100

This is nearly perfect, a massive, monumental wine whose sheer power is matched only by its grace and refinement. The flavors of blackberries, cassis, dark chocolate, buttered toast and cedar flood the mouth, tightly controlled by firm tannins and good acidity. Decant for several hours if you open it now, but better to give it 6–10 years in the bottle. — S.H. (4/1/2010)

points

Harlan Estate 2002 Red (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $245

The aroma is deep and inviting, equal parts new oak, Cabernet fruit and dried herbs. Has tremendous weight, with red and black cherry, cola, chocolate, cassis and roasted coconut flavors. Brilliant now, virtually flawless and totally delicious, yet has the impeccable balance to age and even improve over the years. The listed price is its pre-release price. Drink… — S.H. (9/1/2006)

points

Stonestreet 2007 Rockfall Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $75

This is Cabernet Sauvignon lifted to greatness, an impeccable statement concerning this region of the high Mayacamas Mountains on the Sonoma side that, by law, is forced to bear a “valley” appellation. The wine is awesome, vast and complex, fascinating in every aspect, yet locked down in tough tannins that exaggerate the acidity, making the wine functionally… — S.H. (5/1/2011)

Most Reviewed Sub Regions

California Other Central Coast Central Valley Mendocino/Lake Counties Napa Napa-Sonoma North Coast Sierra Foothills Solano County Sonoma South Coast

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot Petite Sirah Pinot Grigio/Gris Pinot Noir Red Blend Sauvignon Blanc Shiraz/Syrah Viognier Zinfandel

Most Reviewed Wineries

Beringer De Loach Dry Creek Vineyard Geyser Peak Iron Horse Kendall-Jackson Kenwood Morgan Robert Mondavi Rosenblum Testarossa Williams Selyem

2010 Center of Effort

A big, strong Pinot with pure, focused flavors of raspberry cream…

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