Best California Wines

From LoveToKnow Best

For our expert best wine list, LoveToKnow Best asked the team at MyWinesDirect for their thoughts on the best California wines. Using sales figures and customer ratings along with their extensive experience in selecting quality wines, they were happy to share the following tally.

Rank	Price	Item	Why is it the best
1.	$19.99	Alexander Valley Vineyards Syrah 2003 Alexander Valley	The warm climate of the Alexander Valley mixes with cool evening winds to concentrate the acidity and flavor of the region's grapes. With "blackberry, boysenberry, and black pepper aromas,...light tannins and good acidity," MyWinesDirect considers it a great wine to enjoy with food.

2.	$17.99	David Girard Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 El Dorado	An altitude of 1,300 feet gives the grapes of El Dorado county a unique flavor, as they slowly ripen in the cooler conditions. The resulting Cabernet features "dark fruit aromas...exotic notes of spice and cedar" and "firm, gentle tannins."

3.	$24.99	Sullivan Vineyards Red Ink 2004 Rutherford	The Sullivans bring 30 years of experience to the wine field. Red Ink's genesis as a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes draws on an even older Bordeaux tradition. The 2002 vintage of Red Ink was one of the best California wines when it was offered on the site, and 2004 looks to follow in its footsteps.

4.	$19.99	Charles Creek Chardonnay 2003 Carneros	Charles Creek creates an interesting mix by blending grapes from two vineyards: Sangiacomo and Bald Mountain. With "touches of cinnamon, butterscotch, and vanilla" and "well-balanced acidity" this Chardonnay offers a smooth finish.

5.	$12.99	Osprey Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Sonoma Valley	MyWinesDirect considers Osprey Glen "a rarity" for combining the Sauvignon Blanc's signature range of "plump tropical fruits," "the tart taste of grapefruit," and "a grassy minerality" when most others feature a dominant aroma. Osprey Glen's clean finish only further solidifies its place on the list.

6.	$18.99	Wellington Merlot 2002 Sonoma	Only a year after making their first Merlot, the father-and-son team of John and Peter Wellington created "a fresh, enjoyable wine that is still complex and elegant" with "aromas of plum, clove, and baking spices" leading to "fruitier black cherry notes."

7.	$29.99	Monticello Pinot Noir 2004 Napa Valley	Coming from the Oak Knoll District, the grapes for this Pinot Noir are known for their ability to produce "rich, full wines with lots of berry flavors." The Monticello variety features "notes of spicy raspberry and strawberry as well as touches of vanilla and cola," along with a hint of spice.

8.	$21.99	Graeser Simba's Zinfandel 2003 North Coast	Named for a favorite winery dog, Graeser Simba's is "a balanced Zin, not an over-the-top monster." Those enjoying the wine will experience dark raspberry, spice, black cherries, and port flavors leading to "a round and pleasant mouth feel."

9.	$10.99	Bouchon Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Sonoma Valley	The diversity of the Sonoma Valley region leads to unique grape blends, including this wine noted for its "blackcurrant, vanilla, and chocolate aromas" with "an underlying earthiness." MyWinesDirect recommends enjoying the Bouchon Cabernet with "a grilled steak, lamb, or pasta in a cream sauce."

10.	$9.99	River View Chardonnay 2005 Monterey	Thanks to the fogs of Monterey, the grapes of the region enjoy a slow and even ripening. Due to this, Riverview Chardonnay offers a medium body with mango, fig, and melon flavors. The vineyard gives the wine "just enough time in oak" for "a touch of dryness to the finish."

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About MyWinesDirect

MyWinesDirect is an online retailer focusing on "expertly chosen, consumer-approved wines from small undiscovered vineyards" in order to help the average person enjoy wine without needing to be an expert in the field. In fact, Bryan Dougherty, President and CEO of the company, calls himself "a typical wine consumer just like you, not a wine guru."

Whether you're looking for the best California wines or something a little more exotic, the experts at MyWinesDirect are on the job:

Harry Parsley is the site's wine buyer, traveling the world to select 25 new wines each month to submit to tasting panels. He brings over 30 years of wine experience to the job, including time as the President and CEO of Buena Vista Winery.
The consumer panels are at the core of the selection process. Wine drinkers across the nation participate in blind tastings, and those wines receiving a majority of "yes" votes are considered for the site.
After a wine receives rave reviews from a consumer panel, David Andrew has the final say in whether it becomes a MyWinesDirect product. He is widely considered to be a top wine expert, including a past stint as director of the wine program at Costco.

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