Wine Tasting: Iconic California
Californian wines have always been among my favourite, likely because they were introduced to me by my parents. So when the opportunity came up recently to attend a tasting of “Iconic Californian Wines” at a private members’ club in my city, I naturally jumped on it (with my parents in tow, of course).
Hanzell Estate Chardonnay 2012 ($96)
Often considered the “gold standard” of California Chardonnays, one sip of this sophisticated, complex white immediately reveals why (it also doesn’t hurt that Hanzell was among the first wineries to introduce the Chardonnay variety to California in the late 1950s).
Hanzell takes a “no intervention” approach to its winemaking, a philosophy imported from Burgundy, France by its founder. So if you’re partial to a white Burgundy, this wine is for you.
The wine’s pale lemon colour was complemented by a soft, creamy texture, medium body, and medium-to-high acidity. It offered a beautiful bouquet of tangerine, honeysuckle, wet stone, and a subtle hint of vanilla. The palate was mouth-watering, featuring notes of lemon, minerality, pear, apricot, and honey.
Given its history, prestige, and quality, it’s no surprise this wine was included in our Iconic California tasting and regularly scores 90+ points from critics year over year.
Drink now (especially if decanted for a couple of hours) but is most definitely age-worthy.
Tip: If you want to kick your Chardonnay experience up a notch, Hanzell’s “Ambassador’s 1953 Vineyard” Chard will do just that. This wine is produced exclusively from the vineyards 60-year-old Chardonnay vines (the oldest in the Western Hemisphere).
Patz & Hall Russian River Pinot Noir 2015 ($100)
Next on our list was Patz & Hall’s 2015 Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, also known as their Russian River Pinot Noir. This wine, with its medium acidity and silky texture, offered another delightful Burgundian-style experience.
The first note that struck me was that of cured or smoked meat (which I love), a wonderfully welcome note from nearly a decade of bottle aging. This was complemented by additional aromas of baking spice, forest floor, and a hint of marzipan creating a complex yet soft sensory experience on the nose.
On the palate we found notes of warm cherry, red apple, and vanilla.
I personally love a quality Pinot for its ability to deliver a perfect harmony of acidity yet silky mouthfeel, soft yet complex flavours, and a refreshing yet warm and comforting drinking experience.
Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 ($168)
It would be a crime to host an “iconic California” tasting without a selection from Chateau Montelena. Not only are its wines top tier, it was also instrumental in bringing international recognition to California through the historic 1976 Judgement of Paris (which we will cover in a future article).
Chateau Montelena is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon, and for good reason. The distinct flavours of their Estate Cabernet are a result of the unique terroir of their vineyards.
What else sets their wine apart? After fermentation in stainless steel, it is barrel-aged for up to 22 months in Eastern European oak, paying homage to the winery’s Croatian (yes, Croatian) roots.
This particular Cabernet boasted a beautiful garnet colour with just a touch of ruby. The nose offered blackberry, refreshing herbal notes, and vanilla. On the palate we found a delightful combination of pepper, dark cherry, cinnamon, and hints of mint. It’s a true expression of a California Cabernet if I’ve ever had one.
While this wine isn’t inexpensive, if you’re looking to sample a legitimate California icon, it’s most definitely worth the splurge.
Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2006 ($68)
This 80% Zinfandel (16% Petite Sirah, 4% Carignan) was a delight to drink. Warm flavours of raspberry, raisin, and dark plum were complemented by an equally as pleasant bouquet of dark cherry, vanilla, cured meat, pepper, and mint.
On the palate it offered a burst of flavour paired with smooth, elegant tannins and low acidity. This was an absolutely enjoyable experience - would definitely drink again!
Shafer Relentless 2010 ($144)
I’ll start by saying this was one of the two bottles of wine I ended up purchasing during this tasting experience, so it’s clear I was a fan.
Shafer has been growing grapes on its property since the early 1880s, and its wine has been earning international gold medals since the 1889 Paris Exposition, so I wasn’t surprised to see it on our tasting menu.
This was a truly special bottle of wine, and the exact Syrah/Petite Sirah blend is proprietary. It featured pleasantly powerful flavours of smashed blackberry, mocha, black cherry jam, vanilla, and bacon.
What was even more enticing however, was the wine’s texture. The bold yet balanced flavour was complemented by a gorgeous sensation of medium, almost rough tannin with lingering, refreshing acidity. This wine was right up my alley and precisely what I look for in a California red.
Paras Vineyard Viognier 2006 ($62)
Our final bottle to sample as a group did not disappoint. If the bottle of Relentless was one I needed to take home with me, this Paras Vineyard Viognier was a close second.
At nearly 20 years aged, this Viognier initially read more like a botrytised Riesling, with its deep yellow colour and almost syrupy consistency in the glass (likely due to the residual sugar left after fermentation).
This bouquet was both light yet intense with aromas of toasted bread, nuts, and peach overwhelming the senses. The palate was equally bold, featuring a smooth, rich texture that coated the mouth and a finish of peach, pear, and melon. A harmonious balance of acidity and off-dry sweetness lent itself to a delightfully long finish.
There were only three bottles of this wine left in stock to take home, and I was incredibly pleased to be one of the lucky attendees that walked away with one.
The last word
Our tasting of iconic California wines was a journey through the rich history, diverse terroir, and exceptional craftsmanship that make up just some of the State’s winemaking excellence. I loved that each bottle told a story and showcased the unique characteristics and quality that have earned California esteem on the global stage!