America’s Wine Renaissance Is Here, Just in Time for the Fourth of July
From the shores of Long Island's North Fork to the low desert of Washington's Columbia Valley, winemakers are redefining American wine and expressing terroir like never before. [...] Read More... The post America’s Wine Renaissance Is Here, Just in Time for the Fourth of July appeared first on Wine Enthusiast.
It’s no secret: the U.S. is struggling with intense political division at the moment. Yet, as the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, there’s certainly one thing that brings the vast majority of the population an overwhelming sense of patriotic pride: American wine.
Once stereotyped as being solely about power, intensity and ripeness, modern producers are continuing to disprove the perception that American-made wines are a one-size-fits-all style. In California, New York State and beyond, U.S. producers are crafting bottles with precision, elegance and stylistic range. From experimental, new-wave reds and whites to classic expressions of sparkling, these increasingly diverse wines rival the best in the world.
A New Era of Experimentation
Though there will always be diehard fans of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette region, “…many vintners are exploring other options, from Gamay Noir and Godello to Macabeo and Mencía,” reviewer Matt Kettman says in his recent Wine Enthusiast guide to the best wines of California’s Central Coast.
Yet, this growth of exploration goes well beyond grape selection. Winemaking practices are following suit with greater experimentation as well.
Take Emeritus Vineyards’ 2023 Hallberg Blanc Pinot Noir from California’s Russian River Valley, for example. The wine, a “beautiful golden elixir,” says Tom Capo, is vinified as white despite being made from red Pinot Noir grapes. Capo, who blind-scored the wine with 95 points, says it “is a mouthwatering and captivating wine in a very unusual style for the U.S. This dry-farmed vineyard produces exceptional red Pinot as well, but don’t sleep on this unique version of one of America’s most popular varieties.”
Elevated Classics
Though these new kids on the block are garnering hordes of devoted fans, many of the classics are just as worthy of exploration—and are better than ever before.
Roederer Estate’s 2019 L’Ermitage Brut, a traditional-method sparkling wine from Anderson Valley in California, is proof. The estate is the California outpost of Louis Roederer, one of the premier Champagne houses in France with an impressive winemaking pedigree dating back to 1776. It’s been crafting exceptional bubblies since 1982, but this recent release earned a perfect score of 100 points by Wine Enthusiast Writer-at-Large Tonya Pitts due to its creamy mousse, mouthwatering finish and succulent aromas. She says, “If sunshine could be bottled it would be this.”
But this isn’t a battle between progressive and conventional style. There’s also a wide variety of bottlings that fall in the middle of the spectrum.
Peay Vineyards’ 2021 Les Titans Syrah from Sonoma County is one. The 98-point wine leans on its seamless integration of tannins, peppery herbaceousness and silky smooth texture to earn its stripes as “a benchmark wine for cool-climate Syrah in the United States,” says Capo. “I’m not sure there’s a better example of the variety made in this country: it’s dramatic and soulful, with more than enough complexity to geek out about, while being intensely satisfying and pleasurable.”
So, whether you’re looking for adventurous grapes and new techniques or would prefer to hew close to traditional, we’ve rounded up the best all-American wines to snap up this Fourth of July.
White Wines
Walter Scott 2022 X Novo Chardonnay (Eola-Amity Hills)
The steely X Novo is easily one of my favorite Willamette Valley Chardonnays. The 2022 is an aromatic treasure trove of buttered popcorn, lavender, sage, orange cake, lemons and the flinty scent of two rocks colliding to spark a flame. Palate-crunching acidity and flavors of iced lemon tea, lemon verbena, saline and white pepper seal the deal. Editor’s Choice. 97 Points — Michael Alberty $90 B-21
Reynvaan Family Vineyards 2022 Queen’s Road White In the Rocks Vineyard Viognier-Marsanne (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
My favorite Queen since Mercury is a 50-50 blend of Viognier and Marsanne. The white wine is a glorious aromatic battle pitting peaches and pears against pine needles and grilled white button mushrooms. Tangy acidity lights up flavors like Meyer lemon curd, orange zest, fresh-grated ginger and juniper berries. It’s good to be Queen. Editor’s Choice. 96 points — M.A. $65 Reynvaan Family Vineyards
Emeritus Vineyards 2023 Hallberg Blanc Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
This beautiful golden elixir is made exclusively from Pinot Noir. The nose is loaded with aromas of Rainier cherry, white peach and orange blossom, while the palate displays energetic acidity that dances all over with flavors of pithy Meyer lemon, ginger and salted lime peel across the finish. This tiny production wine is well worth seeking out. Editor’s Choice. 95 points — Tom Capo $45 Emeritus Vineyards
Red Wines
Wentworth 2023 Abel Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)
Opulent and vibrant with aromas of raspberry, watermelon, red currant, baking spices, dried florals, and layers of minerals on the nose. The mouthfeel is velvety with pomegranate, dried persimmon black currant confiture, crushed Bing cherry, chicory rolled into espresso, bittersweet chocolate, and many rocks and minerals. It’s the hair toss on the finish. Pair with a delicious meal and the one you love. Decant or hold until 2036. 98 points — Tonya Pitts $95 Wentworth Vineyards
Tenor 2021 Grenache (Columbia Valley (WA))
Royal Slope fruit delivers a powerful blueberry aroma for the ages. There is also a puff of black coffee in there, making it impossible to not think about blueberry pie. The fruit gets darker on the fuller-bodied palate, as black cherries, dark chocolate and trace of cayenne hold court. A silky smooth mouthfeel is the blueberry on top. 93 points. — M.A. $128 Avallé
Peay Vineyards 2021 Les Titans Syrah
Lifted aromas of concentrated raspberry, violet and anise dominate the nose of this silky textured cool climate Syrah. The palate brings concentrated flavors of blackberry coulis, floral mélange, orange peel and black pepper with seamless tannin-acid integration and a lively, energetic finish that goes on for ages. Cellar Selection. 98 Points — T.C. $70 Peay Vineyards
Rosé Wines
Cayuse 2022 Edith Grenache Rosé (Walla Walla Valley (OR))
Aged for 10 months in concrete and stainless steel, Edith opens with sweet and tangy aromas of strawberries, tangerines and a touch of spicy Ligurian olive oil. The fruit-driven palate is a ripe mix of Meyer lemons, strawberries, saline and tangelos. This is my favorite Edith since Jean Stapleton. 93 points — M.A. $60 City Wine Merchant
Martha Stoumen NV Post filtration. Rosé (Mendocino)
This wine is salmon hued with aromas of mandarin orange, dried apricot, saffron, orange pekoe black tea, and orange blossom water on the nose. The flavors on the palate are guava, White peach, quince, raspberry-blood orange compote, grilled orange peel, and a long supple finish. Pair with Fresh Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi. 95 Points — T.P. $29 Martha Stoumen
Suhru 2023 Rosé (North Fork of Long Island)
A blend of half a dozen Long Island-grown grape varieties, this ballerina slipper-hued bottling offers up appealing stone fruit and candied watermelon aromas. It’s dry and nicely textural, with harmony, length and food friendliness. One of New York State’s best examples of this summery style. Best Buy. 92 points — Christina Pickard $19 Wine Chateau
Sparkling Wines
Roederer Estate 2019 L’Ermitage Brut White (Anderson Valley)
If sunshine could be bottled it would be this. Aromas of fresh succulent stone fruit, a hint of yeast, citrus blossoms and notes of quince on the nose. The mousse is creamy and light with baked red apples, blood orange zest, white grapefruit, sticky caramel and layered salinity with a mouthwatering finish. It will bring a smile to your lips. Cellar Selection. 100 Points — T.P. $80 Roederer Estate
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2019 Blanc de Blanc Chardonnay (Finger Lakes)
Enticing aromas of apple and pear tart—more filling than crust—with fresh floral and herb notes following. There’s a wonderful rush of mouth-watering acidity, and, of course, a prickle of fizz. They counter the more autolytic (yeasty), toasty flavors, as do the orchard fruit flavors which linger on the finish. Shows complexity and class. One of the best bubbles in New York State. Editor’s Choice. 94 points — C.P. $43 Winedos
Outward 2023 Bassi Vineyard Petillant Naturel of Pinot Gris (San Luis Obispo Coast)
Pét nats like this make a strong case for the style’s quicker process without losing nuance. A yellowish pink in the glass, this bottling offers aromas of cantaloupe, Meyer lemon and earth on the nose. The palate is intriguing with lemongrass, Key lime and grapefruit flavors, with a hint of herb adding depth. Editor’s Choice. 94 points — Matt Kettman $43 Flatiron Wines & Spirits
More American Wine Coverage
- Some American winemakers think aging wine in local oak is the secret to terroir.
- Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio highlight our roundup of California’s best white wines.
- Looking for American wine on a budget? Try these under $25 bottles.
- The best American white wines under $20.
- Meet Mendocino, ‘California’s Greenest AVA’ and WE’s American Wine Region of 2024.
From the Shop
The Best Wine Coolers
A refrigerated wine cooler is the best way to ensure your wine is stored properly, and these attractive units allow you to show off your collection in style.
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