In 2016 I was fortunate enough to taste over 1600+ wines. While most were good to above average, some five wines stood out and rated as EXCEPTIONAL and should be sought after and tasted ASAP. Each would contribute to your cellar. These wines can be secured from the wineries based on availability.
Another 12 wines were rated OUTSTANDING and provide an excellent wine for tasting and procuring. These wines are the paramount of quality for California wines. Again most would be purchased at the winery only.
Another 29 wines are in the TOP WINES IN CALIFORNIA in various varietals. These vines are markedly above average, unique in specific characteristics and should be tried soon. Most of these would be sold at the winery only.
This year I also added some “OUT OF STATE” and “OUT OF COUNTRY” wines that made an impact on the palate, demonstrated a unique quality or provided a new twist on the varietal. Most of these wines can be procured at the listing provided.
| EXCEPTIONAL CALIFORNIA WINES of 2016 | ||||||
| Winery | Year/Varietal | Rating | List Price | Winemaker | ||
| Arkenstone | 2012/Cabernet Sauvignon / Obsidian | 94WS | $175 | Sam Kaplan | ||
| Barnett Vineyards | 2014 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Rattlesnake Hill | 95WS | $175 | David Tate | ||
| Ledson | 2015 / Sauvignon Blanc | 92WS | $34 | Steve Ledson | ||
| O’Shaughnessy Estate | 2012 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Mt Veeder | 97 RP | $120 | Sean Capiaux | ||
| Progeny | 2010 / Cabernet Sauvignon / SSR | NYR | $175 | Sean Capiaux | ||
| Note: NYR==Not Yet Rated or Not Submitted for Ratings | ||||||
| OUTSTANDING CALIFORNIA WINES of 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winery | Year/Varietal | Rating | List Price | Winemaker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alyris Vineyards | 2014/ Chardonnay/ Audition | 91 WE | $45 | Rudy Zuidema | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barnett Vineyards | 2013/Cabernet Franc | NYR | $75 | David Tate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crocker & Starr | 2013 / Cabernet Franc | NYR | $80 | Pam Starr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Entre Nous Wines | 2012 / Cabernet Sauvignon | NYR | $170 | Melka | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outpost Wines | 2013/Cabernet Sauvignon / True | NYR | $125 | Thomas Rivers Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outpost Wines | 2013 / Grenache | NYR | $65 | Thomas Rivers Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert Craig Winery | 2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon/ Howell Mtn | 94RP | $90 | Stephen Tubb | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| St Rose Vineyard & Wines | 2014 / Pinot Noir / 777 | NYR | $48 | Fred Nunes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shadybrook Estate | 2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon | NYR | $95 | Rudy Zuidema | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Skipstone Wine | 2009 / Cabernet Sauvignon | NYR | $125 | Melka | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tate Wine | 2014 / Chardonnay / Spring Street | NYR | $32 | David Tate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trespass Vineyard Rendezvous | 2013 / Blend | NYR | $125 | Kirk Venge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note: NYR==Not Yet Rated or Not Submitted for Ratings
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| TOP OUT OF STATE WINES of 2016 | ||
| Winery | Wine | Location |
| Big Table Farm | Pinot Noir | Oregon |
| Leonetti Cellars | Cabernet Sauvignon | Washington |
| Long Shadows Vinters | Pedestal Collection, Merlot | Washington |
| Terra Blanca, Onyx | Cabernet Sauvignon, blends | Washington |
| Note: Many of “OUT OF STATE” wines can be bought at Wine Steward at http://www.thewinesteward.com | ||
| TOP OUT OF COUNTRY WINES of 2016 | ||
| Winery | Wine | Location |
| Bressia Monteagrelo | Cabernet Franc | Argentina |
| Chateau Kasara | Cabernet Sauvignon | Lebanon |
| Clarendon Hills | Syrah “Bakers Gully” | Australia |
| Dehesa La Granja | Temparnillo “Dehesa 14” | Spain |
| Edi Simcic | Merlot (“Kolos”) | Solvenia |
| Emillo Moro | Temparnillo “Malleolus de Valderramiro” | Spain |
| Koyle | Carmenere “Alto Colchagua” | Chile |
| Mariano Abbona | Barolo “Pressenda” | Italy |
| Molina di Grace | Sangoivase “Il Margone” | Italy |
| Note: Many of “OUT OF COUNTRY” wines can be bought at Wine Steward at http://www.thewinesteward.com | ||
California Wines & Wineries 