If you often grab your wine from your local wine cellar, you’ll probably notice that most bottles are from European Countries like Italy, France, and Spain. That’s not a surprise because they are the world’s top wine producers.
Despite being less prominent in the industry, the United States was able to produce 800 million gallons of wine a year. California is leading the way by producing around 85% of the wine in the US. They are even known as America’s most renowned wine region.
California wines also offer a unique experience that every wine lover should not miss. Apart from this, here’s a list of some excellent California wines you should try.
2016 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill
This 2016 vintage Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon is from Bordeaux Blend Red in Napa Valley. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
Robert Parker and Jeb Dannuck gave this wine the highest rating because of its fine-grained texture, freshness, structure, and considerable opulence.
You can enjoy its luscious layers of vanilla, licorice, blackberry, and flowery background on its own.
Price: $289
2016 Alban Vineyards Roussanne
The 2016 Alban Roussane is a California White produced by Alban Vineyards in Edna Valley. It has a higher alcohol content compared to any wines on the list with 15%.
Rated 93 by Jed Dunnuck, it has fruity notes of quince and lemon. It highlights the flavors of root veggies and squash best.
Price: $49.95
2016 Arnot Roberts Watson Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay
Arnot Roberts produced this Chardonnay in San Pablo Bay, Napa Valley. It has aromatic freshness and notes of green orchard fruit and honey.
Robert Parker rated this vintage 93. The buttery and complexity of this wine will pair with savory mushrooms.
Price: $34.95
2015 Chanin Pinot Noir Duvarita Vineyard
Duvarita Channin created this old-world styled 2015 Chanin Pinot Noir in Sta. Barbara County. It has fragrant notes of cherries and cranberries with light spices.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine rated it 92. This wine has a bold and tannic flavor.
Price: $49.95
2015 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon
2015 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine created by Christophe Paubert and produced by Stags’ Leap Winery. It’s a fruity wine with prominent notes of blackberry and black cherry.
Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate gave this wine 95 points. The tannin in this wine can cut the fat content of any fatty dish.
Price: $39.95
2014 Aubert Chardonnay Eastside
2014 Aubert Chardonnay has primary notes of nectarine and citrus with subtle smoky oak and fig. It has the lowest pH and highest acidity compared to other Aubert Chardonnay varieties.
Robert Parker generously scored this with 98 points. This Chardonnay is a perfect pair for the earthy flavors of mushrooms, like oyster and portobello mushrooms.
Price: $155
2013 Andremily No. 2
This California red wine is the second release from Andremily. It has less tannin compared to another vintage from the said region, while prominent with jammy blackberry flavors with notes of lavender.
Robert Parker rated this with the high score of 99.
Price: $289
2010 Abreu Rothwell Hyde
2010 Abreu Rothwell Hyde is a red Bordeaux blend produced by Abreu from Cabernet Sauvignon in St. Helena. It has earthy cocoa notes, with hints of cedar and oaks.
Antonio Galloni rated it 94 on the wine scale.
Price: $169.00
2007 Screaming Eagle
It’s no surprise that there are two Screaming Eagle vintages in this list. They are the epitome of excellent Cabernet Sauvignon wines!
This 2007 vintage takes everything to a whole new level because of its endless fruity layers, like raspberries and blueberries. Full-bodied and flamboyant but finishes with grace and style.
This extraordinary wine was rated 100 by Robert Parkers.
Price: $3, 995
2003 Screaming Eagle
Screaming Eagle 2003 is a red wine created with the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety from Napa Valley. This wine exhibits freshness, ripeness, and soft tannins, with plum flavors.
It received and outstanding 98 points from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate.
Price: $3, 245
Takeaway
Indeed California offers a wide variety of excellent wines that has rave reviews from sommeliers around the globe. Don’t forget to try and grab some of them on your next wine shopping!
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