Moraga White 2007 - Bel Air, California (01 of10)
Open Image Modal"The Moraga Estate Wine is made here in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. It was created by Tom Jones (not the singer) and his wife who own about 15 acres of land off of Moraga Drive (the vineyard is across from the Getty). The 'Estate' title means that the winery and grapes are all cultivated on Moraga Drive. The Moraga White is mainly a Sauvignon Blanc with a little bit of grape called Semillon. This wine only goes to a handful of shops and restaurants across the country or is available by mailing list."--Randy Clement
AM FM Grenache Blanc 2009 - Santa Ynez Valley, California (02 of10)
Open Image Modal"This wine is made by Matthew Kaner who is very into wine and music, hence the AM/FM title. Made from Grenache Blanc, this is a really rich full-bodied white wine from grapes they buy in the Santa Ynez Valley. They make a very tiny production and it's only available in Los Angeles and maybe just a few spots in San Francisco."--Randy Clement
Alban Vineyards Syrah "Patrina" 2008 - Edna Valley, CA (03 of10)
Open Image Modal"A handful of guys in California decided that they wanted to make wine based on the style of grape-growing in the Rhone Valley of France. John Alban broke the mold in creating the style in the states and makes arguably some of the best Rhone varietals in California. This is 100 percent Syrah and one of the most collectible and hardest-to-obtain Syrahs in the Central Coast."--Randy Clement
Orin Swift Cellars "Abstract" 2009 - California (04 of10)
Open Image Modal"Made by Orin Swift Cellars, and owned by Dave Phinney who is most known for making a wine called the 'The Prisoner,' this wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Syrah. This is the inaugural release of the 'Abstract' which is really rich, full and smooth, but not one-dimensional. It has a lot of nuance and layers."--Randy Clement
Holus Bolus Syrah 2008 - Santa Barbara, CA (05 of10)
Open Image Modal"Four guys who are really neck-deep in the So-Cal Wine scene came together to collaborate on this project. This is a really great take on California Syrah. It's not over-the-top or super esoteric, but it's also not one-dimensional. It has been around for about four years."--Randy Clement
Para Silverlake 2007 - Monterrey, CA (06 of10)
Open Image Modal"This is a wine we made for the store. It's a blend of Cabernet and Merlot and is affordable and easy-to-drink. We wanted to make something that wasn't super intellectual and was a great crowd-pleasing, party wine. A local artist named Phil Lumbang, who has done a lot of great street murals, made the label (the 'Awesome Bears' featured on the label can now be found across the country). The wine is a nice smoky, easy-drinking cabin Merlot."--Randy Clement
Tyler Pinot Noir "Presidio Vineyard" 2008 - Santa Barbara, CA(07 of10)
Open Image Modal"Presidio Vineyard is an organically and biodynamically farmed vineyard in California. It is one of the most up-and-coming vineyards for Pinot Noir in California. The owners just buy the grapes as they go and make the wine (generally in a rental facility). It's a typical Central Coast Pinot Noir with the light sherry taste, with a little bit of smoke to it and black tea essence to it. It's a great wine to drink now or allow to age."--Randy Clement
Brewer - Clifton Pinot Noir 2009 - Santa Rita Hills, CA (08 of10)
Open Image Modal"Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton have been making arguably some of the best Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the Central Coast for quite some time now. When this wine first came out, we knew these guys were on to something and now it's one of the most recognized, cult-ish Pinots and Chardonnays in California."--Randy Clement
Habit Red 2008 - Santa Barbara, CA (09 of10)
Open Image Modal"This is made by Jeff Fischer and is a Bordeaux-blend, meaning they use the same grapes that they would use in Bordeaux, France, but they make it here in California. It is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The Habit is a bridge-wine between the California modern-style wine and the French more restrained-style wine. It has the fullness of a California style wine, but also pays homage to French roots in that it's a little more restrained and not super full."--Randy Clement
Genuine Risk Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - Santa Ynez, CA (10 of10)
Open Image Modal"Genuine Risk is the road that the vineyard where the Cabernet grapes come from is located. The owners are a husband and wife team who started this project three years ago, but they have both been involved with wine for quite some time. This is a really ripe, expressive, full-bodied California Cabernet Sauvignon, which is affordable and easy-to-drink."--Randy Clement