Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A magnificent wine, and quite compelling, is Dave Phinney’s 2013 Proprietary Red Abstract, from Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Amador and El Dorado counties. It is largely a blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah. Stunningly opaque to the rim, with notes of blackberry, black cherry, strawberry jam, spring flowers, camphor and incense, the wine is full-bodied, unctuously textured and beautifully put together, with no hint of heat or new oak. The wine spent ten months in a combination of 30% new French and the rest neutral oak. The finished alcohol is 15.7%, which is in the blockbuster category, but it’s not the least bit hot – proving again the fallacy of trying to create polemics on high-alcohol wines, when in fact they are quite well-balanced, as this one is. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.
-
Wine Spectator
Bold and loaded with personality. Aromas of wild berry, cracked pepper and licorice lead to rich, complex flavors of black cherry, dark Asian spice and cinnamon. Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah. Drink now through 2023.
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!