Californian Wine
Californian Wine
California is one of the world’s premier wine regions, known for its diverse climates and terroirs, which produce a wide range of exceptional wines. From the cool coastal vineyards of Sonoma and Santa Barbara to the sun-drenched valleys of Napa, California offers a unique combination of old-world tradition and new-world innovation. With iconic varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel, the state is home to wines that showcase both bold flavoUrs and elegance, making it a top destination for wine lovers and connoisseurs alike.
Staff Picks
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Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedSourced from some of the best sites in California, Sourced, Rancho Real, Annapolis, Del Rio, Laguna to name a few, the 2022 Slander is an example of great winemaking and the sum being greater than its parts. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Jul 2024) Taste The 2022 Slander delivers a medium ruby core with a lucid rim that’ -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 14.5%Style: Classy Complex WhiteJ Vineyards bright and appealing Russian River Valley Chardonnay showcases the best of this classic cool-climate region. Aromas of citrus and orange blossom open with every swirl. Smooth and beautifully balanced, notes of yellow apple, meyer lemon and pear layer with suggestions of toasted macadamia and creamy almond. Hints of light toast and spice lift the fruit characteristics. The palate is rich, full and beautifully textured before finishing with a crisp and delicate flourish. Wine Press Rat
Members Price
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Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedMercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship wine of Orin Swift and emphasises their guiding principle: Without quality grapes, great wine is impossible. It comes from the best lots from very select vineyards in Napa Valley and the wine is a testament to those vineyards, to their principle and to what is possible in Napa Valley. The Liberty Dime on each bottle symbolises winemaker Dave Phinney's favorite coin in his collection growing up and his most prized possession. Vivino Rating: 4.6 (Sep -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedSourced from some of the best sites in California, Sourced, Rancho Real, Annapolis, Del Rio, Laguna to name a few, the 2022 Slander is an example of great winemaking and the sum being greater than its parts. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Jul 2024) Taste The 2022 Slander delivers a medium ruby core with a lucid rim that’ -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 14.3%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points - James Suckling. Located in the heart of Los Carneros, Napa Valley, summer temperatures are tempered by the cooling fog rolling in off the nearby San Pablo Bay, providing perfect conditions for producing beautifully balanced and complex wines that showcase the vineyard-driven character of this cool-climate estate. 10 months in French oak barrels (33% new) gives this Pinot Noir a spectrum of bright red and black fruits, notes of lilac and ginger weave into the fresh berry, cherry and p -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15%Style: Rich Full RedOrin Swift Palermo, a captivating blend with a core of Cabernet Sauvignon that mirrors Napa Valley's spirit, unfolding intense aromas of dark fruit and blackberry pie, leading to a velvety palate of black cherry, vanilla, and spice, all embraced by seamlessly integrated tannins, delivering a gratifying finish - making it your ideal companion for hearty delights like grilled steak or braised beef, sure to leave a lasting impression on your wine journey. Vivino Rating: 4.5 (Oct 2024) Tasting Note -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 14.5%Style: Classy Complex WhiteJ Vineyards bright and appealing Russian River Valley Chardonnay showcases the best of this classic cool-climate region. Aromas of citrus and orange blossom open with every swirl. Smooth and beautifully balanced, notes of yellow apple, meyer lemon and pear layer with suggestions of toasted macadamia and creamy almond. Hints of light toast and spice lift the fruit characteristics. The palate is rich, full and beautifully textured before finishing with a crisp and delicate flourish. Wine Press Rat -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: GrenacheABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Decanter. Orin Swift Abstract is a meticulously crafted red wine known for its rich and complex character. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah, creating a harmonious symphony of flavours. The wine exhibits a deep, visually striking hue and a captivating aroma profile that ranges from fruity to floral, with subtle notes of dark chocolate and spice. On the palate, it offers a full-bodied experience with robust tannins and a bold, fruit-forward taste. The finish is long a -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - The Wine Independent. It's rare to find a wine from the Napa Valley composed of all five Bordeaux-style varietals. But, for many years, that has been Papillon's focus. The raw strength and prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon buttressed by the opulence of Merlot, the spiciness of Cabernet Franc, the depth of Malbec and the sheet unctuousness of Petit Verdot come together seamlessly. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points - The Wine Independent (2021 Vintage) 90 Points - -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Primitivo / Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah / ShirazABV: 16%Style: Rich Full Red93 Points - Decanter. After an enforced eight-year break in the early 2010s, where they were prohibited from making Zinfandel, Orin Swift Cellars delved into various grape varieties in California to great success. The 2021 vintage of Eight Years in the Desert is the fifth instalment of a rare and cherished wine. This exceptional Zinfandel boasts a deep maroon core and opens with captivating aromas of wild blackberry, pepper, oatmeal raisin cookie, forest floor, bay leaf, and spices. The taste is -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 14.5%J Vineyards bright and appealing Russian River Valley Chardonnay showcases the best of this classic cool-climate region. Aromas of citrus and orange blossom open with every swirl. Smooth and beautifully balanced, notes of yellow apple, meyer lemon and pear layer with suggestions of toasted macadamia and creamy almond. Hints of light toast and spice lift the fruit characteristics. The palate is rich, full and beautifully textured before finishing with a crisp and delicate flourish. 6 * J VineyardRegular Price£203.70Case Offer - 10% off£183.33 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - The Wine Independent. The best grapes make the best wine" is the philosophy applied by the Winery's founder, Louis M. Martini. Implemented at the estate since its creation in 1938, this exacting philosophy has enabled the winery to become one of the leading names in Californian wines. With its vineyards in the sumptuous Sonoma and Napa Valleys and its many award-winning wines, the estate is now world-renowned for its great Cabernet Sauvignons. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Dec 2024) Wine PressRegular Price£49.75Bin End Sale - 25% off£37.32 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Petite Sirah, Syrah / Shiraz, GrenacheABV: 15.4%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Decanter. Orin Swift Machete, an iconic Californian red, artfully blends Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache from Napa and Sonoma, aged for 10 months in French oak for vanilla-spiced depth; and layer upon layer of complexity. A full-bodied lover's delight with dominant dark fruit aromas, raspberry-plum-chocolate flavours, medium tannins, and a smooth, lasting finish—perfectly paired with grilled meats, cheese, and charcuterie. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 92 Points -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 14.1%Style: Savoury Classic RedOlivet Grange Vineyard (OGV) is the Inman Family's sensitively farmed estate vineyard - using regenerative farming practices and only certified organic-fertilizers and pesticides. Displaying aromas of black cherry, dried rose petals, classic Russian River cola, and a touch of white pepper, the palate reveals raspberries, tart cherry, pomegranate, cola, and savory spices. Rich, elegant and powerful, with a texture of silk satin shrouding "grippy" tannins and mouth-coating tastiness. Only 579 caseRegular Price£69.95Bin End Sale - 25% off£52.47 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, MalbecABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - Wine Enthusiast. The Pahlmeyer Jayson Red 2020 is a bold Napa blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec. Bursting with black cherry, wild strawberry, and earthy undertones, it’s vibrant yet polished. Aged 15 months in 65% new French oak, this wine delivers rich layers of berry fruit with silky tannins and a lasting finish. Vivino Rating: 4.4 (Jan 2025) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points - Wine Enthusiast "This bold and fully ripe-tasting wine showers t -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: MerlotABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red93-95 Points - The Wine Independent. Pahlmeyer made the most of the glorious 2021 Napa Valley Merlot vintage – a year that seems destined to rival or even eclipse the extraordinary 2013, 2018, and 2019 havests. The grapes for the Pahlmeyer Merlot 2021 were grown on high-elevation blocks and were hand-harvested, allowing for rigorous vineyard selection and gentle handling. Once in Pahlmeyer’s state-of-the-art winery, they were given a further hand sort and destemmed, with only perfectly ripe frui -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedSourced from some of the best sites in California, Sourced, Rancho Real, Annapolis, Del Rio, Laguna to name a few, the 2022 Slander is an example of great winemaking and the sum being greater than its parts. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift. 6 * Orin Swift Slander Pinot Noir 2022 Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Jul 2024) Taste The 2022 Slander delivers aRegular Price£293.70Case Offer - 10% off£264.33 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Primitivo / ZinfandelABV: 16%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - Wine Spectator. Named for its iron rich, red volcanic soils, Monte Rosso has produced grapes of unmistakable character for more than a century. Three generations of the Martini family have made wine from this iconic vineyard and it continues to inspire their winemaking team on a deeply profound level. Monte Rosso remains the source of some of the most coveted bottles in the Louis M. Martini portfolio. Full bodied and concentrated the textured mouthfeel is plush, finishing long. VibraRegular Price£68.95BBQ Wines - Save 20%£55.16 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Petite Sirah, Syrah / Shiraz, GrenacheABV: 15.4%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Decanter. Orin Swift Machete, an iconic Californian red, artfully blends Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache from Napa and Sonoma, aged for 10 months in French oak for vanilla-spiced depth; and layer upon layer of complexity. A full-bodied lover's delight with dominant dark fruit aromas, raspberry-plum-chocolate flavours, medium tannins, and a smooth, lasting finish—perfectly paired with grilled meats, cheese, and charcuterie. 6 * Orin Swift Machete 2021 Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Mar 2025) WRegular Price£341.70Case Offer - 10% off£307.53 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet FrancABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Wine Spectator. The Jayson Red Wine was produced from grapes from a selection of prime sites in and around Atlas Peak in eastern Napa. Hailing from the outstanding 2021 vintage, a year noted for its opulence, this blend of 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon is wonderfully full and plump. The grapes were hand-picked and hand-sorted before undergoing fermentation in stainless steel tanks to enhance its fresh fruit profile and retain its bright acidity. The wine was then racked into -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Primitivo / ZinfandelABV: 15.2%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Wine Spectator. One of the most amazing Californian Zinfandels you can find in the UK. Big flavours, big body, big abv content, but everything is in harmonious balance. “Juvenile” comes from young vines (6-25 years old), interplanted, from several of their old vine designated vineyards – including Hayne, Ueberroth, Pesenti, Salvador and Vineyard 101. Whilst it offers sumptuous, joyous fruit, it also gives more than a glimpse of Turley’s single vineyard wines. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Jan -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - The Wine Independent. It's rare to find a wine from the Napa Valley composed of all five Bordeaux-style varietals. But, for many years, that has been Papillon's focus. The raw strength and prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon buttressed by the opulence of Merlot, the spiciness of Cabernet Franc, the depth of Malbec and the sheet unctuousness of Petit Verdot come together seamlessly. 6 * Orin Swift Papillon 2021 Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points - The Wine IndependeRegular Price£479.70Case Offer - 10% off£431.73 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: GrenacheABV: 15.5%Orin Swift Abstract is a meticulously crafted red wine known for its rich and complex character. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah, creating a harmonious symphony of flavours. The wine exhibits a deep, visually striking hue and a captivating aroma profile that ranges from fruity to floral, with subtle notes of dark chocolate and spice. On the palate, it offers a full-bodied experience with robust tannins and a bold, fruit-forward taste. The finish is long and satisfying, leavingRegular Price£251.70Case Offer - 10% off£226.53 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 14%92 Points - James Suckling. Located in the heart of Los Carneros, Napa Valley, summer temperatures are tempered by the cooling fog rolling in off the nearby San Pablo Bay, providing perfect conditions for producing beautifully balanced and complex wines that showcase the vineyard-driven character of this cool-climate estate. 10 months in French oak barrels (33% new) gives this Pinot Noir a spectrum of bright red and black fruits, notes of lilac and ginger weave into the fresh berry, cherry andRegular Price£239.70Case Offer - 10% off£215.73 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15%Orin Swift Palermo, a captivating blend with a core of Cabernet Sauvignon that mirrors Napa Valley's spirit, unfolding intense aromas of dark fruit and blackberry pie, leading to a velvety palate of black cherry, vanilla, and spice, all embraced by seamlessly integrated tannins, delivering a gratifying finish - making it your ideal companion for hearty delights like grilled steak or braised beef, sure to leave a lasting impression on your wine journey. 6 * Orin Swift Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon 2Regular Price£383.70Case Offer - 10% off£345.33 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, MalbecABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red96+ Points - The Wine Advocate. The profoundly successful 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon vintage - a year that seems destined to eclipse even the extraordinary 2013, 2018, and 2019 vintages – allowed Katie Vogt and her team to create a masterpiece. The Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 2021, a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot, and 1.5% Malbec, is the product of high elevation sites at Upper Range, Waters Ranch, and Vagone. The grapes were hand-harvested at night to pres
