Best Wine in California
California’s warm climate tempered by the Pacific Ocean allows it to produce wines of all styles, but its greatest strength lies in its range of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The best examples of these can be found in regions such as the sheltered Russian River Valley and the cooler Los Carneros. Pinot Noir thrives in cool climates that allow the grape to fully ripen whilst maintaining acidity, and these regions produce some of the finest California wine available.
Cabernet Sauvignon is arguably the most iconic and widely renowned wine from California. It is the most planted grape in California and produces the highest quality wines. Many of these are produced in Napa Valley, which has the highest profile both domestically and internationally. However, there are great Cabernet Sauvignon wines to be found across the state.
A high-end example is the 2012 Corison Kronos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, which boasts riveting aromas of cassis and dark fruits. The palate is full and luxurious with a beautiful, velvety mouthfeel and lingering finish.
Other great examples of Cabernet Sauvignon from California can be found in the Los Carneros region, which is becoming a well-known area for producing world-class wines. The 2010 Patrimony Pinot Noir from Los Carneros features a syrupy nose of blackberry jam and smoked bacon, with a complex palate of espresso, blackberry jam and chocolate.
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Which Wines Are the Best in California?
The state also produces a number of high-quality white wines, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc the most important varieties. California producers are incredibly adept at blending these grapes together, in order to impart balance and depth to wines that do not shine on their own. The legendary Opus One is a perfect example of this, and has helped to spread the reputation of Bordeaux-style blends from California all over the world.
California is home to a great number of large-scale producers who produce wines that are accessible to almost all wine enthusiasts. A few of these include Rombauer Vineyards, whose 2020 Reserve Solomon Hills Pinot Noir is an excellent example of a high-quality Californian Pinot with a reasonable price tag. Marcassin Estate is another well-known wine producer, and their oaked version of Sauvignon Blanc is a popular choice amongst fans of this delicate red grape.
It’s no surprise that Napa is the most famous California wine county, and for good reason. Its wines tend to be some of the most expensive, but there are still a great number of amazing values to be found. The likes of Nikolas Krankl, son of Elaine and Manfred Krankl from Sine Qua Non, have managed to create cult wineries with a focus on the same grapes prized at their three-Michelin starred restaurant, but with an Old World-inspired restraint that sets them apart from their contemporaries. Their wines, such as the 2018 Fingers Crossed Grenache, Syrah and Roussanne, are fantastic examples of this style. These wines are available at a fraction of the price of their prestigious and expensive Napa counterparts.
Some of the most renowned grape varieties used in California red wine production include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Syrah. Each grape variety imparts its unique characteristics to the wine, resulting in a diverse range of flavors and styles. Cabernet Sauvignon, known as the king of red grapes, thrives in the warm climate of Napa Valley, producing bold, full-bodied wines with rich black fruit flavors and firm tannins. On the other hand, Pinot Noir, grown in cooler regions like Sonoma and Santa Barbara, gives rise to elegant and nuanced wines with notes of red fruit, earth, and spice.