Winemaker Notes
This is what happens when you list Principal Needham’s house for sale, just to make Clint Holgate laugh. Now, you’re planning an impromptu open house. You’re filling a table with plum tort, vanilla bean cheesecake, and buttermilk-brined fried chicken. You don your mom’s best herringbone suit and light jasmine-lavender candles. Now you're chatting up sweater-clad suburbanites, in way above your head, and Needham’s on his way. You get a scolding, weeks of detention, and you're grounded "indefinitely," but it’s all worth it when you find Clint outside, leaning on his truck, and that smile.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This always hilariously labeled bottling begins with ample aromas of baked boysenberry, star anise, black licorice, wet slate and rose extract on the nose. The spice rack of Red Hots cinnamon candies cuts deep into the cherry and strawberry core, with buoyant acidity and firm tannins.
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!