Discover Exquisite Californian Wines: 100-Point Picks

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Explore three remarkable Californian wines, each rated 100 points, perfect for your wine collection this festive season.

Introduction

The festive season is a perfect time to indulge in exquisite wines that elevate any celebration. On this eleventh day of Christmas, we highlight a trio of exceptional Californian wines, all achieving an impressive 100-point rating. These selections promise to delight any wine lover and are ideal for adding sophistication to your holiday gatherings.

The Californian Perfection Case

This unique case features three remarkable wines from California, recently released through La place de Bordeaux. Each wine not only showcases the outstanding quality of Californian viticulture but has also garnered a perfect score in expert evaluations for the first time. The highlighted wines are:

• Morlet’s Coeur de Vallée 2021
• Paul Hobbs’s Cristina’s Signature 2021
• Cardinale’s Estate Red 2021

These bottles exemplify the pinnacle of winemaking excellence, making them sought-after choices for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Although these wines may be challenging to source due to their high demand, they are currently available across Europe, with prices ranging from £600 to £700 for the set.

Morlet Coeur de Vallée 2021

Hailing from Oakville in Napa Valley, Morlet’s Coeur de Vallée is a blend primarily composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. This wine boasts an impressive 15.6% alcohol content and was aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, with 85% being new oak.

Tasting Notes

Upon tasting, expect a rich tapestry of flavors including:

• Cedar and black cherry
• Black currant and bramble
• Subtle notes of walnut and coffee bean
• Herbal florality from Cabernet Franc

The wine’s remarkable concentration is complemented by its silky texture and fine-grained tannins, making it not only exquisite now but also capable of aging gracefully over the years.

Cardinale Estate Red 2021

Another standout is Cardinale’s Estate Red, which consists of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, sourced from Napa’s prestigious mountain vineyards. This blend exhibits classic characteristics typical of high-quality Napa reds.

Tasting Experience

Cardinale offers:

• Classy cedar-inflected aromatics
• Plush mouthfeel with layered complexity
• An elegantly defined structure that demands patience in aging

With its youthful exuberance and deceptive power, this wine is poised to develop beautifully with time while remaining approachable now.

Paul Hobbs Cristina’s Signature 2021

Rounding out this stellar lineup is Paul Hobbs’ Cristina’s Signature. Crafted entirely from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine reflects the terroir’s essence through its meticulous production methods.

Flavor Profile

Expect a full-bodied experience featuring:

• Aromas of graphite and cedar
• Flavors including cinnamon, white pepper, and cassis
• A plush texture with ultra-fine tannins that create a lengthy finish

This spectacular wine not only delivers immediate pleasure but also promises significant aging potential—making it an investment for future enjoyment.

Conclusion

As you navigate the final days leading up to Christmas, consider adding these extraordinary Californian wines to your collection. With their stunning scores and complex profiles, Morlet’s Coeur de Vallée, Cardinale’s Estate Red, and Paul Hobbs’ Cristina’s Signature are sure to impress both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike. Embrace the opportunity to savor these wines during your festive celebrations or gift them to someone special who appreciates the art of fine winemaking.

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash