Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A new cuvée, at least for me, is the 2014 Impetus Proprietary Red, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, that is a multi-appellation wine coming from Sonoma as well as Napa. There is hardly anything to complain about here, as this wine was sourced primarily from the De Crescenzo Vineyard in Sonoma and the Tench Vineyard in Napa. Dense purple with notes of creosote, blackberry and graphite, this opaque, purple wine offers dense, chewy blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with new saddle leather and forest floor. Moderate tannins kick in to finish, as it is relatively structured and masculine for a 2014, and therefore probably would benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age. Drink it over the following 20-25 years.
California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!