Best California Wines, California wine region

15 Best California Wines To Buy in 2024

by Elaine Lau

The Californian wine industry was overshadowed by its French counterparts - but only until the historic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. (Californian wines came out on top in the white and red wine flights.)

Today, the state produces some of the world’s finest bottles, and makes up about 90% of the US wine production. If California were a country, it would be the fourth-largest wine-producing region in the world!

Best known for its cult wines from Screaming Eagle, Harlan, and Marcassin (to name a few), the intense flavors and aromas of California wines have found fans all over the globe.

Let's explore 15 of the best California wines you can enjoy today!

15 Best California Wines You Must Try Now

California produces some of the world’s best wine, and the region is a treat for any wine enthusiast.

Check out some of the best bottles this wine country has to offer!

1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1990 Harlan Estate, Napa Valley
1974 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains
2008 Promontory, Napa Valley
1997 Marcassin Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
2002 Marcassin 'Marcassin Vineyard' Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
2005 Sine Qua Non Mr. K The Straw Man, Central Coast
2015 Daou Vineyards Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District
2005 Alban Vineyards Lorraine Estate Syrah, Edna Valley
2016 Kathryn Kennedy Winery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains
2013 Buccella Mixed Blacks Blend, Amador County
2018 Favia 'Quarzo' Syrah, Amador County
2013 Turley Wine Cellars Dogtown Vineyard Zinfandel, Lodi
2018 Denner Vineyards The Dirt Worshipper, Paso Robles
2014 Michael David Winery Petite Petit, Lodi

1. 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($22,438)

This Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the debut vintage from the iconic Screaming Eagle winery.

This deep purple-colored wine has an intoxicating nose of black fruits, spice, and tobacco. It has a luscious palate of chocolate, oak, and vanilla that provide this cult red wine with the balance and subtle nuances it's known for.

2. 1990 Harlan Estate, Napa Valley ($8,112)

The flagship wine from the Napa "first growth" Harlan Estate uses the Bordeaux Blend grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot.

With complex aromas of black currant, leather, and tobacco, this beautifully balanced wine features a gorgeous palate of plums, blackberries, licorice, and espresso.

3. 1974 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains ($2,998)

A dry California red wine, this 1974 vintage mesmerizes with a nose of cedar, spices, and cassis. The tasting notes feature a cornucopia of black fruits with a touch of minerality.

4. 2008 Promontory, Napa Valley ($1,341)

Part of the Harlan Family, this 2008 Napa Cab Sauv is a full-bodied, fruit-forward wine. With delectable black and red fruit notes, robust tannins, and a smooth finish, this bottle is sure to please any wine lover!

5. 1997 Marcassin Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast ($1,356)

The influential winemaker, Helen Turley, brings a full-bodied, buttery white wine.

With refreshing acidity and wine tasting notes of apricots, melons, pears, and peaches, this California Chardonnay is not one to miss!

6. 2002 Marcassin 'Marcassin Vineyard' Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($864)

Another showstopper from Marcassin, this Pinot presents a bouquet of black cherries, raspberry, and forest floor.

An opulent, full-bodied Californian red, the silky smooth palate with just a hint of smoke makes this an excellent New World wine.

7. 2005 Sine Qua Non Mr. K The Straw Man, Central Coast ($705)

The Straw Man is a prime example of dessert wine with about 392g of residual sugar per liter.

This white wine features Marsanne - a French wine grape variety - and is made in the style of a Rhone Valley Vin De Paille.

The syrupy nose and notes of pear, toffee, and caramel give this wine a long, lovely finish that's perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth!

8. 2015 Daou Vineyards Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District ($582)

A luxurious Cabernet from Paso Robles, the Patrimony begins with riveting aromas of black fruits, cassis, and just a hint of chocolate.

The palate presents similar intense flavors with ample tannins, balanced minerality, and a smooth finish.

9. 2005 Alban Vineyards Lorraine Estate Syrah, Edna Valley ($431)

A rich and full-bodied Californian wine, the 2005 Syrah offers a gorgeous nose of blueberries and blackberries.

The wine features an elegant and polished mouthfeel with black fruits, licorice, dark chocolate, and smoked meat notes.

10. 2016 Kathryn Kennedy Winery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains ($300)

A beautiful garnet red, this California Cabernet offers a complex nose of plums, dried fruits, and a hint of eucalyptus.

The fresh raspberry and cherry palate give the red wine a delicate yet juicy depth.

11. 2013 Buccella Mixed Blacks Blend, Amador County ($195)

A Californian twist on the Rhone Valley blends, this vintage features the following French wine grapes: Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, and Petite Sirah.

A dark ruby hue with robust tannins and a long finish, the palate contains hints of blueberry, raspberry, and pomegranate along with sweet black licorice, rustic mulberry, and Chinese Five Spice.

12. 2018 Favia 'Quarzo' Syrah, Amador County ($124)

With a striking dark and opaque hue, the 2018 Quarzo aromatics of cocoa, huckleberry, and campfire create the perfect mood.

The palate delivers explosive notes of burnt plums, black cherry, and chocolate cake.

Our tip: allow the wine to breathe and open up before tasting!

13. 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Dogtown Vineyard Zinfandel, Lodi ($99)

The 2013 Dogtown Zinfandel is a full-bodied, seductive wine with heady aromas of blackberry, plum, black currant, and black pepper.

It provides a multi-layered mouthfeel with notes of red cherries, plums, licorice, and spice.

14. 2018 Denner Vineyards The Dirt Worshipper, Paso Robles ($80)

Blended with 1% of Viognier and Roussanne, the 2018 Dirt Worshipper has a strong nose of black licorice, coffee, and roasted meat.

You might think it’s a rustic wine, but the palate is refined with an intense blackcurrant flavor and round tannins leading to an incredibly long finish.

15. 2014 Michael David Winery Petite Petit, Lodi ($70)

With a blend of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, this California winery brings a dense, inky wine that’s bursting with dark fruit and cocoa aromas.

A complex palate of espresso, blackberry jam, and blueberry complements this nose for a seductive and lengthy finish.

Let's take a quick look at this wine region producing such delectable wines!

A Quick Overview Of The California Wine Region

California’s warm climate is tempered by the Pacific Ocean's cooling breezes, leading to ideal wine-growing conditions.

For instance, the Sonoma Valley in Sonoma County arguably produces Northern California's best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.

The county is also home to the Russian River Valley, where you'll find Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

Similarly, the Alexander Valley in Sonoma is one of the most important regions for Cabernet Sauvignon.

You'll also find many Champagne houses in California, such as:

Mumm Napa in Napa Valley
Roederer Estate in the Anderson Valley
Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley
Domaine Carneros in Napa Valley

All of these have significantly impacted California's sparkling wine production.

Today, the Golden State is home to some of the world's largest wine brands and boutique wineries that fetch thousands of dollars for their cult wines.