California's numerous microclimates offer an array of opportunities for wine lovers, with abundant styles and prices to choose from. This is aptly demonstrated in this week's list, which features 10 Golden State bottlings from Sonoma, Santa Barbara County, Mendocino, Paso Robles and beyond, all made using grape varieties associated with California's Rhône-style wines.
A few years ago, Randall Grahm, one of California's original Rhône pioneers, partnered with E.J. Gallo to create The Language of Yes, which taps several Central Coast vineyards. The label's precise and sleekly structured Grenache was made with grapes from the Rancho Réal vineyard in Santa Barbara's Santa Maria Valley subregion, and it shows handsome red fruit and smoked pepper flavors that finish with refined tannins.
This lineup also includes Prospect 772's Black Tie Charlie California 2021, the top scorer, a polished red blend with blackberry and orange notes. Read on to get our score and full tasting for this California Rhône-style wine and nine others!
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