10 Exciting California Red Wine Bottles (Styles, Taste, Prices)

California produces an exciting range of red wines - thanks to the number of grape varieties grown there and the diverse terroir.

So you’ll find wines made from French varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir, the Italian Barbera, Spanish Tempranillo, and more.

Let’s explore the California red wine styles, the 10 best bottles and their tasting notes, investment potential, and serving instructions.

Popular California Red Wine Styles

Broadly, there are three famous red wine styles in California:

1. Bordeaux-style Red Wine

Bordeaux blend is an iconic red wine style originating from the celebrated Bordeaux wine region in southwest France. It typically comprises Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grape varietals.

Bordeaux-style wines produced in California are bold and fruit-forward.

2. Rhone-style Blend

Rhone blend originates from France’s Rhone Valley and usually comprises Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault varieties.

California's Syrah-dominated wines are full-bodied with intense berry flavors, while Grenache-based wines have herbal and spicy nuances

3. Varietal Wines

California is also the home to some of the most popular varietal red wine styles, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Merlot, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel. 

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most loved and widely grown red wine grape variety of California and amounts to roughly 23% of the state’s red wine production.

Cabernet wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma county have carved a niche among wine connoisseurs with their superior berry and oak flavor and commendable age-worthiness.

In addition to varietals, you can also find some unconventional red blends with Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Looking for some high-quality California reds for your collection?

10 Fantastic California Red Wines For Your Collection (Including Tasting Notes)

Here’s a list of hand-picked California red wines:

• 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 
• 1990 Harlan Estate 
• 2008 Schrader Cellars 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 
• 2004 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 
• 1989 Dalla Valle Vineyards Maya 
• 1980 Opus One, Napa Valley 
• 2010 Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah 
• 2013 Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta's Reserve 
• 1978 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 
• 2010 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 

1. 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($22,429)

This exceptional Screaming Eagle has sumptuous black currant and dark cherry aromas. On the palate, subtle oak notes are layered with plum and red fruit flavor. A rich and balanced finish rounds off the firm tannin.

2. 1990 Harlan Estate ($8,113)

This Bordeaux-style red blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot) has a velvety structure with notes of plum, black currant, and dried herb on the palate.

3. 2008 Schrader Cellars 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($1,599)

This Californian wine has an intense nose of ripe dark fruit, licorice, and spice. The palate echoes the aromas, offering rich concentration and bright acidity.

4. 2004 Scarecrow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($1,414)

This gorgeous Ruby red wine opens with inviting scents of blackberry, licorice with hints of mineral. The palate has intense ripe fruit notes and maintains an elegant balance throughout.

5. 1989 Dalla Valle Vineyards Maya ($1,479)

This red wine blend is aged in 70-80% new French oak, imbuing it with rich flavors and aromas.

Sensual floral and fruit aromas open up the wine, followed by a melange of black cherries, violets, and baking spice on the palate.

6. 1980 Opus One, Napa Valley ($1,041)

This impeccable wine has a seductive nose of cassis, black cherry. On the palate, spices and herbs deliver warmth and elegance. 

7. 2010 Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah ($819)

This Colgin vintage wine has a dark berry and mineral aroma. The palate has leather, mocha, and vanilla (from oak aging) notes.

8. 2013 Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta's Reserve ($603)

This 100% Merlot wine has a sublime nose of violets, raspberry, and licorice. It has a firm tannin mouthfeel with cocoa and dark fruit flavor.

9. 1978 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($426)

This California wine has complex notes of tobacco, cedar, and coffee. The palate is balanced with soft tannin and an earthy finish.

10. 2010 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($141)

It is a full-bodied Cabernet with scents of cherry, cassis, and black pepper, layered with notes of coffee and olive. The wine has minerality from the loamy soil.

Should You Invest In California Red Wines?

Californian red wines, especially from Napa Valley and Sonoma County, have incredible complexity and can age for at least a decade in the cellar.

Thanks to the favorable climate, California has had a great run of exceptional vintages between 2012-2015, further cementing the reputation of the region’s wines.

So it’s no surprise that many Californian red wines regularly appear on reputed investment wine lists. For example, the 2013 Alpha Omega from Napa Valley and the 2016 Jackson Estate Outland Ridge Pinot Noir from Mendocino County featured on Wine Enthusiast’s top 10 Cellar Selections for 2018.

Wines from blue-chip cellars such as Robert Mondavi, Silver Oak, and Caymus also show solid price appreciation and command high prices at wine auctions. Take these, for example:

• The 1991 Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon’s price rose from $230 in 2019 to $391 in 2021, an impressive 70% appreciation. 

• A 6-liter bottle of 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon was sold at a whopping $500,000 at a 2000 auction in Napa Valley.

But how do you invest in a fine California red wine? 

If you want to invest in fine, authentic California red, you need a reputed wine investment company like Vinovest, which will source your bottle, store it in temperature-controlled warehouses, and help you sell it to the best buyer.

Need food pairing ideas for your Napa Cabernet?

How To Serve California Red Wine? 

California red wines should ideally be served at room temperature or just slightly chilled. 

Their intense flavors and high acidic content makes them great to have with meaty dishes (veal, duck, lamb), roast potatoes, and herbed vegetables. 

You can also pair mature Napa Cabernet with a dark chocolate dessert and younger wines with raspberry tart.

Get Your Hands On The Finest Red Wines!

Red wines from California pack a solid flavor punch while being excellent long-term investments as well.

Add a bottle to your collection and let it mature in the cellar so that you can savor its sumptuous flavors or sell it for a profit.

Visit the Vinovest website to add a rare Napa Cab to your portfolio. Also, discover investment-worthy bottles of white wine or sparkling wine along the way.