95-Point Vintage
345 Wines Blind Tasted
225 Wines Rated 90+ Points
PLUS A First Look at 2020
Ever since consumer passion was ignited for California Pinot Noir by the movie Sideways nearly two decades ago, the category has seen a rapid upward trajectory. Prominent wineries have worked to define the state’s established American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), while pioneering vintners have helped to carve out new ones. A younger generation of quality-oriented winemakers have also entered the picture, driving a proliferation of single-vineyard bottlings that highlight the state’s varying terroirs. Producers’ focus on top clones ideally suited for these areas has fueled new plantings, yet they’ve maintained a healthy respect for older vines as well. This has led to greater diversity among Pinot bottlings, with a wide range of styles on display, from ripe and lush to savory and racy. All told, California Pinot Noir couldn’t be on a more promising path.
Only one thing has been missing: a true benchmark vintage. There have been some outstanding years in which a handful of producers excelled or some AVAs peaked, including most recently 2018, 2016, and 2014. But an actual benchmark, with a consistent level of quality across all the major AVAs and a critical mass of producers hitting the mark, had yet to occur. That was until the 2019 harvest came along.
Denne historien er fra September 30, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra September 30, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New Zealand's Success Story
From small beginnings, the country’s wines have ascended to global prominence
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers
Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
SEAVEY VINEYARD
In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES
Tuscany Comes of Age
Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.
