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Napa Valley
About Napa Valley
Located within California’s North Coast, Napa Valley accounts for approximately 5% of California’s vineyard acreage. The Valley stretches from the San Pablo Bay in the south to Calistoga in the north, and is home to 16 sub-AVAs, including Carneros, Spring Mountain District, Stags Leap District, Oakville and the newly established Coombsville. There are various microclimates throughout the region, according to our Napa Valley Wine Guide. In the cooler sub-appellation of Carneros, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay benefit from the cool-marine winds funneling in from the San Pablo Bay, which helps to create wines with bright fruit and fresh acids. In contrast, the temperature in Calistoga can reach 100 °F in the summer, creating ultrarripe grapes and, ultimately, opulent wines loaded with fleshy fruit. Many different varietals are grown throughout the region; however, our Napa Valley Wine Reviews reference the most successful being Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for the reds and Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for the whites. While the region has a well-documented wine history, suggesting that vines were planted as far back as the mid-1800s, the late André Tchelistcheff of Beaulieu Vineyard is often credited as a founding father of the modernized Napa wine industry. For a complete list of ratings, information and reviews be sure to check out Napa Valley Buying Guide below.
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What We're Tasting:
Ca' del Bosco NV Edizione 45 Cuvée Prestige Chardonnay-Pinot Noir-Pinot Blanc (Franciacorta)
Price
$45
Points
93
What We're Tasting:
Quarter Cut 2022 Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel Chardonnay (California)
Price
$10
Points
87
What We're Tasting:
Los Robles Hills 2022 Benincasa Puerta del Cielo Vineyards Rosé (Malibu Coast)
Price
$25
Points
91
What We're Tasting:
Exprimere 2021 Persey Peake Ranch Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
Price
$118
Points
94
What We're Tasting:
Reynolds Family Winery 2019 Reserve 300 Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District)
Price
$140
Points
95
What We're Tasting:
Barton & Guestier 2021 Bistro Cabernet Sauvignon (Vin de France)
Price
$14
Points
92
What We're Tasting:
Peter Zemmer 2022 Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige)
Price
$19
Points
92
What We're Tasting:
Jorche 2021 Caleido Negroamaro Negroamaro (Salento)
Price
$21
Points
90
What We're Tasting:
La Palazzetta 2018 Flavio Fanti Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
Price
N/A
Points
92
What We're Tasting:
ONX 2020 Noble Intrigue Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah (Santa Maria Valley)
Price
$70
Points
95
What We're Tasting:
ONX 2020 Fiery Nights Syrah (Templeton Gap District)
Price
$80
Points
91
What We're Tasting:
Pewsey Vale 2022 Single Vineyard Estate Dry Riesling (Eden Valley)
Price
$22
Points
92
What We're Tasting:
Yalumba 2021 Samuel's Collection Bush Vine Grenache (Barossa)
Price
$22
Points
91
What We're Tasting:
Maison Les Alexandrins 2019 Syrah-Viognier (Côte Rôtie)
Price
$89
Points
95
What We're Tasting:
Masottina NV Contradagranda Extra Dry Glera (Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)
Price
$24
Points
91
What We're Tasting:
Castello Tricerchi 2018 Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
Price
$66
Points
94
What We're Tasting:
Alceño 2016 Inédita de Alceño 03 Monastrell Monastrell (Jumilla)
Price
$55
Points
93
What We're Tasting:
Alceño 2018 Edición Limitada Alceño Elección Red (Jumilla)
Price
$27
Points
92
What We're Tasting:
Duckhorn 2019 Monitor Ledge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Price
$105
Points
96
What We're Tasting:
Three Sticks 2021 Gap's Crown Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)
Price
$75
Points
97
What We're Tasting:
Castello Bonomi 2016 CruPerdu Grande Annata Extra Brut White (Franciacorta)
Price
$70
Points
97
What We're Tasting:
Bien Nacido Estate 2020 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
Price
$75
Points
94
What We're Tasting:
Château de Suronde 2018 Grand Cru Chenin Blanc (Quarts de Chaume)
Price
$80
Points
93
What We're Tasting:
Casado Morales 2018 Alonso López de Familia Crianza Red (Rioja)
Price
$35
Points
94
What We're Tasting:
Domaine Serene 2020 Rockblock Viognier (Applegate Valley)
Price
$45
Points
91
What We're Tasting:
Precision Wine 2021 District Series Edition No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)
Price
$40
Points
92
What We're Tasting:
Piattelli 2019 Arlene Series Blend Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon (Cafayate)
Price
$40
Points
92
What We're Tasting:
Educated Guess 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa County)
Price
$35
Points
91
What We're Tasting:
Educated Guess 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
Price
$20
Points
89
What We're Tasting:
We Know Jack! 2021 Jack Florence Sr. Vineyard Single Block Zinfandel (Rockpile)
Price
$78
Points
94
What We're Tasting:
Daou 2019 Family Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
Price
$130
Points
95
What We're Tasting:
St. Supéry 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Price
$58
Points
94
What We're Tasting:
Trentadue 2021 La Storia Estate Bottled Petite Sirah (Alexander Valley)
Price
$38
Points
94
What We're Tasting:
Banfi 2020 Centine Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Sangiovese Red (Toscana)
Price
$15
Points
90
What We're Tasting:
ALDI 2021 Peaks & Tides Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
Price
$12
Points
89
What We're Tasting:
J. Lohr 2021 Carol's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (St. Helena)
Price
$60
Points
93
What We're Tasting:
Finca la Celia 2018 Eugenio Bustos Cabernet Sauvignon (Uco Valley)
Price
$90
Points
93
What We're Tasting:
Schweiger 2017 Dedication Estate Bottled Red (Spring Mountain District)
Price
$125
Points
95
What We're Tasting:
Lions Head Collection 2021 Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Price
$65
Points
95
What We're Tasting:
Le Grand Courtage NV Grand Cuvée Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling (France)
Price
$20
Points
91
What We're Tasting:
Textbook 2021 The Pey Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Price
$46
Points
94
What We're Tasting:
Gundlach Bundschu 2022 Estate Dry Gewürztraminer (Sonoma Valley)
Price
$29
Points
92
What We're Tasting:
Jenblossom 2018 Scary Good Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Price
$195
Points
91
