The past couple of weeks have been devastating for California residents as thousands were forced to flee their homes in the middle of the night to avoid being consumed by raging wildfires.
The tragedy of this situation is only beginning to unfold as rescue workers sort through piles of rubble and ash while residents return to their homes which may or may not still be standing.
Secondary to loss of life and personal property are the looming questions hanging over every wine lover’s head: What is the damage to the California wine industry? Which wineries were affected the most? What does this mean for the future of California wine?
Wine Spectator’s latest issue features over 250 California Cabernet wines from the 2014 vintage, “a classic year,” as the cover proclaims. The 2014 vintage seems to be the latest in a three-year streak of good fortune for California winemakers.
Prices are likely to climb beginning with the 2015 vintage. Most winemakers in California will agree that the 2015 vintage was early and light, yielding an average of 20% less fruit than previous vintages, as the four-year drought finally caught up with production. Drought continued in 2016, and now the worst wildfires in California’s history are threatening future production.
We wanted to show California wine some love and highlight fifteen of our favorite California Cabernet and Cabernet-based blends that are currently available at Costco. These wines were also featured in this month’s issue of Wine Spectator, and should be available in one of the better vintages.
I am personally stocking up on 2012-2014 wines in case prices do happen to jump in the coming years. Please note that prices may vary from one Costco store to the next.
1. 2013 Beaulieu Vineyards Tapestry Reserve, Napa Valley $49.99
This Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend is dense and powerful, rich with red berries and cassis. Additional Merlot to this vintage softens the palate, and it finishes on an elegant note.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
2. 2014 Beringer Quantum, Napa Valley $49.99
A muscular would-be Bordeaux blend if not for a small additional of Petite Syrah (5%). This wine is built to cellar, with 74% Cabernet providing black fruits and gripping tannins. Approachable now as well, with a sweet core of blackberry jam and hints of baking spice.
3. 2014 Coppola Black Label Claret $13.99
I’ve always thought this wine was a good value for its price range. Easily identifiable by the gold netting around the bottle, this four-grape Bordeaux blend delivers approachable weeknight structure with all that dark-fruit goodness you’d want from a California claret. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot. [Read our full review]
4. 2014 Decoy Red Blend, Sonoma County $17.99
This predominantly Merlot blend is dry with savory spices and blue fruits. This comes from a line of “everyday wines for the well informed” by Duckhorn Vineyards. Aged for 10 months in 100% French Oak, 40% of which is new, this is a good choice for those who like a nice balance of oak to fruit in their reds. [Read our review of the '13 vintage]
5. 2014 Duckhorn Cabernet, Napa Valley $54.99
This wine is actually blended with 13% Merlot and small amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, and has some high scores from wine critics. Robert Parker gives it an impressive 94 points with 92 points from Wine Spectator. This is a fantastic example of the great wines which came out of Napa in 2014, which yielded wines with ideal concentration, elegant tannins, and lovely varietal flavors. [Read our review of the '13 vintage]
6. 2014 Franciscan Estate Cabernet, Napa Valley $21.99
This wine is oak-aged in small French oak barrels for 20 months, so if you like a big chewy Cabernet that’s not overly fruity, this is the wine for you. This is the kind of wine that you want to drink with a steak.
7. 2014 Frank Family Cabernet, Napa Valley $42.99
A little lighter in body than some of the other wines on this list, this wine is elegant and will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Blackcurrant, cocoa, and sweet spice flavors are balanced by youthful acidity and dusty tannins. [This wine was included on our recent list of top red wines to look for in your warehouse right now.]
8. 2014 Hess Select Cabernet, North Coast $12.99
Costco has this wine for a killer price, and we gave it a glowing review earlier this year. Blended with small amounts of other varietals, this wine is aromatic, fruity, and well-balanced. [Read our full review.]
9. 2014 Honig Cabernet, Napa Valley $37.99
Aged in 100% American Oak (40% new) gives this wine excellent structure along with notes of toasted coconut and vanilla. With a core of ripe black fruits, this is my personal favorite of the list. [Read our full review.]
10. 2014 Kirkland Signature Cabernet, Alexander Valley $9.99
Floral aromas and cherry-driven red fruits make this another good value Kirkland wine. You’d be hard pressed to find another Alexander Valley Cabernet for this price and quality. [Read our full review.]
11. 2014 Kirkland Signature Cabernet, Napa County $12.99
Costco’s private label version of Oberon, if you will, this wine delivers blackberry, mocha, and pepper with a robust, full body. Notable acidity hints at improvement with time. [Read our full review.]
12. 2013 Leviathan Red Blend, Napa Valley $39.99
Earlier this year we gave the 2012 vintage of this wine a positive review, and the 2013 is equally as layered and expressive. A unique blend of 37% Cabernet, 32% Syrah, 24% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc.
13. 2014 Oberon Cabernet, Napa County $18.99
An easy-drinking Cabernet, and a good value when you want a wine that’s less than $20. Grapes are sourced from all over Napa County and the blend is over 95% Cabernet. Look for this vintage in the bottom of the bins because the 2015 has already been released.
14. 2014 Paraduxx Proprietary Red, Napa Valley $38.99
Our third Duckhorn Vineyards wine on the list, it’s clear that Costco loves this brand. Paraduxx is somewhat of a step up from the Decoy line of wines yet more affordable than the Duckhorn brand. This uncommon blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet, & Merlot has a floral nose and concentrated palate of red fruits with integrated tannins.
15. 2014 St. Francis Cabernet, Sonoma County $15.99
This is a fantastic wine for the price. Fruit-forward and lush, this wine stands well on its own. Although the price is friendly enough for an average Friday night, I would happily drink this on a special occasion.
Looking to Help?
Our friends at ILikeThisGrape.com have designed an awesome Vine Strong tshirt with 25% of the proceeds donated to the California Fire Relief GoFundMe. Support California wineries and those negatively impacted from fires - from farmers to winemakers.
Tony says
Unfortunately the reports coming out of California have been misleading at best about the vineyards. The one I've heard most is that Stag' s leap wine cellars has burnt to the ground. This is far completely innacurate. I went to Napa on October 20th, one week after the fire and enjoyed some Fay block one and cask 23 on their patio overlooking the vineyards! 85% of the wine harvest for the valley was in well before the fire and is looking great!! If anyone would like a first hand look and account come see me at the Cumming Costco. As far as helping, plan a trip to Napa ASAP, they would love to see you.
Linda D. Garland says
The recent industry insurance reports from Calitornia indicate that INSURED losses can topple $8 billion dollars http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2017/10/27/469627.htm.
If you’re a wine lover, you know the people and places behind these numbers. The wineries include Signorello Estate, Paradise Ridge, Frey Vineyards, White Rock Vineyards, Roy Estate, Mayacamas, Pulido-Walker, Michael Mondavi Family Estate, and more that make the reds and whites you love to drink. As of now, 22 wineries have been damaged in northern California, with effects ranging from lost buildings to burned vines and ruined wine product.
Tom Pagano, a wine expert and account executive at global insurance broker Aon said overall damage could be in the $5 billion to $6 billion range and maybe worse. “It will take at least a couple of months to assess,” he said in a phone interview. “And it may be years before we know the final numbers.” The wine industry generates about $26 billion annually for Napa and Sonoma, according to the most recent reports from vintners’ groups.
So my advice is to load up on your favorite California reds especially for the upcoming holidays!
Head to your favorite Costco wine dept and load up for the season!
Erin says
Thanks for these thoughtful responses. I've heard some inaccurate information as well through "the grape vine," if you will, and some more accurate explanations from distributors and suppliers who work with these California wineries. I would be hesitant to minimalize the damage, which is likely more indirect that direct (i.e. you wouldn't notice just by visiting Napa wine country). While most of the grapes were harvested, some of those grapes and juice still experienced smoke taint and therefore will not be appearing for the 2017 vintage. Thanks as always for reading.
-Erin
Linda says
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2017/11/jimmy-hayes-2017-mayacamas-could-be-lost-after-california-fires/
Update today from Mayacamas Winery (Napa):
The 2017 vintage of the Napa-based winery Mayacamas could be completely lost after the devastating California fires, its estate manager Jimmy Hayes revealed to dbHK today.
Mayacamas’ winemaking facility is still intact as shown in the photo. Its main residence where it is used to host guests, however, has burnt down.
Although the vintage was harvested when the deadly fires erupted last month, it was left in open fermenters for four days without electricity amid thick smoke, Hayes confessed.
The full effects of the fires on the winery, which is located in upper Mount Veeder, one of the hardest hit areas in Napa, are still to be assessed, but he admitted that there’s a “significant chance” that the 2017 vintage will be completely lost.
However, the vintner still considers himself lucky as the winery’s main winemaking facility remains intact, although its 130-year-old main residence next to the building was burnt down during the fires that first started on 18 October. “Had we lost the winemaking facility, that would have been tragic,” he commented.
Editor says
This is really sad to hear. I visited the property just last year and fell in love with it. Hoping for the best. Thanks for sharing the update. Andrew