California is the biggest wine producing state of the USA and until recently accounting for 90% of total production. With a wealth of different micro climates and soil varieties this allows a large range of wine styles to be produced. Our list includes some of California's most celebrated wineries, as well as wines that we can afford!
Tasting notes: An uncompromising approach to quality here: low yielding, high quality vineyards are hand-pruned and thinned, sustainably farmed, and hand picked.
The grapes are barrel fermented with lots of lees stirring and bottled without filtration. The result is a great example of elegant, leesy chardonnay.
"This bottling has been getting steadily richer and better over the years and has now reached the point where it’s an authentic Carneros beauty. The ’06 is a Pinot Noir to drink now, to savor its raspberry and cherry freshness, crispness and silky texture." — Steve Heimoff
Tasting notes: The dark ruby/purple-colored 2008 offers up attractive aromas of boysenberries, black cherries, earth, pepper, and spice. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and pure, this classy wine should drink well for 7-8 years.
Tasting notes: The 2008 Lytton Springs Proprietary Red, a blend of 74% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, and 5% Carignan, possesses a deep ruby/purple color and good acidity, and a more closed style than the Geyserville, with a firmer, more restrained overall personality. It should drink well for 7-8 years. Wine Advocate 02-2010
Tasting notes: With initial flavors of rich, ripe plums and dark chocolate, followed by vanilla and spice this wine is very well. Excellent with hearty stew dishes.
Tasting notes: The 2007 Zinfandel Old Vine (a selection from the oldest vineyards) reveals a dense ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a floral, blueberry and black raspberry-scented nose, a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel, and serious tannin in the background. Textured, rich, and long with considerable upside, it can be drunk now or cellared for a decade. 90+/100pts Robert Parker
Tasting notes: Every year, Seghesio bring in approximately 35 lots of Zinfandel averaging 25-30 years in age. Each of these lots is produced under the careful eye of winemaker, Ted Seghesio. The best of these lots are selected to make Sonoma Zinfandel. A small amount of Petite Sirah is added to the wine for added complexity. The result is a tantalising black raspberry and classic briary flavoured wine with a balance of components for which Seghesio wines are known.
Price: £21.50
Size: 75cl (16% abv)
Colour/style: Red
This item is currently out of stock - please email us or telephone 01483 861164 to order.
Tasting notes: Sourced primarily from two Stags Leap Districts - the famed Hillside estate and the Borderline vineyard - this generation-and-a-half idea is a great selection for Shafer lovers who might not be able to indulge in the Hillside Select (or can't get their hands on a bottle). Sweet blackberry, plum and current fruit aromas and flavors are complemented by nuances of savory herbs, cocoa and cigar box (complete with cigars!).
"Bright, medium ruby-red. Expressive, rather wild nose melds cassis, black cherry, tobacco, iron, mocha, leather and brown spices. A bit less plump than the 2005 version, but suave and vinous, with good cut and life to the varietally typical flavors of currant, leather, mocha and tobacco leaf. This slightly restrained, soil-driven wine still needs time to unwind and will merit a higher score if time brings more pliancy. Finishes with firm, building tannins and sneaky length." (May/June '09) 90 points Wine Enthusiast.
