About Rhone Varietals from USA

About Rhone Varietals from USA
The United States is one of the most important players in the wine industry. On sheer numbers alone, the US is the fourth largest country in terms of total production; but it is the outstanding quality of wines from the US that is an additional part of its worldwide prestige. While the first wines produced in the colonies date back to the late 18th century, it has only been since the mid-1960s that the US has entered the premium wine market on a large scale. California, especially Napa Valley and Sonoma County were the areas that drove the new quality movement. Other areas in California also were home to great wines; soon Washington and Oregon were home to first-class wines as well. New York State, especially the Finger Lakes are was rediscovered for its Rieslings and soon wineries started opening in states such as Texas, Virginia and North Carolina. Today, 90% of domestic premium wine is produced in California and there are several wine types that share the spotlight; these include Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, Pinot Noir from Sonoma's Russian River Valley as well as Santa Barbara County and Chardonnay from several regions, such as Monterey and Sonoma County. Bordeaux-styles reds from Washington State have received great acclaim as have Oregon Pinot Noirs. Today, the United States is in an enviable position of being one of the largest producers of wine as well as one of the most celebrated.

Top Picks for USA

Rhone Varietals

Mira Winery 2009 Hyde Vineyard Syrah
94 points
$45
Skewing a bit tertiary but the sanguine notes here are delicious and highlighted with dried red and black fruits and the power of Syrah compels you to drink it; think grilled meats with a black fruit BBQ sauce.
Mira Winery 2010 Hyde Vineyard Syrah
94 points
$45
A ripe, rich, and intense Syrah that can push that average Cabernet Sauvignon out of the way and land on your dinner table; embrace the layers of savory flavors as this wine should have a long life ahead of it.
Mira Winery 2011 Hyde Vineyard Syrah
93 points
$45
A very well-developed, savory wine that is meaty and complex; drink this right now with some bbq flank steak sandwiches.
Waving Tree 2015 Single Vineyard Syrah
93 points
$30
Herbal notes backed with chocolate and fruit nuance; this is a complex wine full of flavor and primary fruit to drink now with slow roasted meats.
Mira Winery 2013 Hyde Vineyard Syrah
93 points
$95
Ripe and rich but maintains the cooler sanguine and olive aspects of Syrah; very well executed.
Spangler 2020  Petite Sirah
92 points
$39
A rich, ripe, and juicy Petite Sirah with lovely spice and robust tannins.
Crux Winery 2019  Syrah
92 points
$45
A beautiful Syrah that benefits from the light influence of blending grapes to give it even more lift and complexity; a lovely example of Syrah that has power and elegance.
Skyhook 2018 Red Blend Sonoma County
92 points
$45
Dense, rich, lush fruit and earthy tannins create a well balanced red wine that has the acidity to work well with food or alone.
Capo Creek 2020 Open Mic Red Blend North Coast
92 points
$85
A warm and inviting red blend with an artful balance of ripe fruit and toasty oak.
Capo Creek 2021 Playlist Estate White Blend Dry Creek Valley
92 points
$45
A vibrantly fruity and aromatic New World expression of a white Rhone blend.