Great value California red wines
Hunting down the value in California, with red wines under £40....
This article first appeared in Decanter magazine’s California supplement 2017. It is currently featured on Decanter.com as part of a sponsored campaign with the California Wine Institute.
Great value California red wines
You can find ‘top flavours from the Golden State without paying top dollar’ says Oz Clarke.
It’s about looking in the right places, from the right producers and for the right wines.
Clarke and Ronan Sayburn MS have chosen their top choices of great value California red wines, under £40, so find one to try today…
Top California wines under £20
Top California white wines under £40
Where to buy California wines in the UK
Carpe Diem, Pinot Noir, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley, California, USA, 2014
95
OC: An exciting wine that is positively lean in style, and then a pure, dry strawberry fruit asserts itself on the palate, mingled with herbs and rosehip with just a little sweet nut to soften it. RS: A remarkable mix of deliciousness and elegance, red and black fruits coming through on the nose and lingering throughout the palate; making this a well-balanced wine with great length.
2014
Carpe DiemMendocino County
Broc Cellars, Love Red, North Coast, California, USA, 2015
94
Fascinating cherry blossom drifts over sour but ripe plums with a redcurrant-bright note at the back. Rustic, sauvage framboise gives that big boost of acidity, with perhaps a little bit of brett underneath.
2015
Broc CellarsNorth Coast
Marietta, Christo, North Coast, California, USA
93
Round and delicious, this North Coast Cab is raspberry and blackberry scented with a hint of anise and mint. It is a chunky style that finishes with high alcohol, but it is nonetheless very tasty.
MariettaNorth Coast
Melville, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sta Rita Hills, California, USA, 2013
93
Dry, intense strawberries and red cherries meld together with an almost feral leathery scent. The fruit is taught and modern, and ends on a cool, refreshing, lingering finish.
2013
MelvilleSanta Barbara County
Lioco, Sativa Carignan, Mendocino County, California, USA, 2013
92
Bright, snappy, scented and packed with the fresh sap of springtime and the mouth-watering tastes of rosehip and pomegranate.
2013
LiocoMendocino County
Nalle, Hopkins Ranch Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley, California, USA, 2014
91
With simple bright cherry fruit, this Russian River Pinot is ripe and clean with new French oak characters and an elegantly long palate.
2014
NalleSonoma County
Hahn, Boneshaker Zinfandel, Lodi, California, USA, 2014
90
A big, blossoming Zin that is blooming with fat fruit. Its lushness is complimented by sweet rosemary and menthol, whilst the bramble tones are underpinned by chocolate and kirsch wrapped in toasty oak.
2014
HahnLodi
Paul Hobbs, Cross Barn Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast, California, USA, 2014
Scented and welcoming with a warm kitchen spice core, this Pinot is rich and ripe in an almost blowsy style. There is slightly stewed fruit...
2014
Paul HobbsSonoma County
Hoopla, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA, 2014
90
An elegant Cabernet Sauvignon displaying a seductive redcurrant and blackcurrant nose. There is balance and poise here that should see it through.
2014
Hoopla
Lost Angel, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA, 2015
90
Plummy and elegant with tight tannins, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is solid and youthful; an exquisitely easy-going and ripe style that will please the multitudes.
2015
Lost Angel
Vina Robles, Estate Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, California, USA, 2013
90
Strapping tannins battle with indulgent stewed raspberry and red cherry fruit, proving that this style is intense and almost too powerful for its own good.
2013
Vina RoblesPaso Robles
Firestone, Syrah, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA, 2013
89
A rich, full and ripe Syrah brimming with black fruit. The palate is intense and ends on a warm dark finish.
2013
FirestoneSanta Barbara County
Trefethen Family Vineyards, Merlot, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2014
89
The nose here is ripe and elegant, a plummy Merlot with a fine palate, if finishing a little short.
2014
Trefethen Family VineyardsNapa Valley
