The US has lengthy been a land of innovation – and, more and more, of significant winemaking ambition.
Within the early years, few may have predicted how far American wine would journey on the world stage. That modified in 1976, when the late Steven Spurrier, a revered determine within the wine world and a founding Decanter contributor, organised the now-iconic Judgement of Paris. The outcomes of the blind tasting shocked the business, with Californian wines triumphing over prime French names, and opened the door to international recognition for a brand new technology of producers.
Blind tastings have additionally change into a trademark, forming a basic core of the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) and wine tastings globally ever since. Practically 50 years later, American wines are nonetheless on the rise.
Scroll down to find 15 prime DWWA 2024 US winners
This previous yr, our awards noticed a exceptional surge in US entries, exceeding expectations. DWWA 2024 award-winning US wines mirror the nation’s exceptional geographic and stylistic vary.
From traditional expressions in California’s Napa Valley and Santa Cruz mountains to the nuanced, cool-climate character of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, 2024 standouts share a transparent stylistic thread: precision, freshness, a powerful sense of place. They mirror each technical finesse and regional character. Throughout the board, stability is vital – fruit, acidity and tannin are in concord – whereas a spirit of innovation displays excellent winemaking expertise. It’s a snapshot of a maturing wine scene that values readability, creativity and authenticity.
With Decanter additionally celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this yr, it’s a becoming second to revisit and recognise the daring and expressive spirit that defines American winemaking at present.
Model new DWWA 2025 outcomes from everywhere in the world can be going stay at awards.decanter.com on 18 June 2025
California
Clos du Val, Yettalil, Stags Leap District, California 2021
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
US$225 closduval.com
Melting, yielding black-fruit aromas of bramble, damson and elderberry, with flowers and a raise of privet-like freshness. Ample and mouthfilling, full of pure, recent, floral fruits and a bit of unique spice, too. Smooth but ample Napa tannins are very a lot in proof, lending the wine each seriousness and food-friendliness, but additionally guaranteeing that it’s going to endure nicely over time. That freshness, so intrinsic to this wine, will certainly final nicely, too. Alcohol 14.3%
Trefethen, Dragon’s Tooth, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley 2021
Platinum, 97 factors
POA £ Blas ar Fwyd, David Lambert Wines, US$65 trefethen.com
Richly peppered blue and black fruit with a sheen of refreshing mint. Polished, structured and dense, with indulgent tannins and a bead of tremendous acidity. Constructed for the lengthy haul. Alc 14.2%
Grgich Hills, Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2021
Gold, 95 factors
US$125 grgich.com
An understated model with ripples of ripe pear, apple and citrus fruit embraced by creamy vanilla oak and enriched by a tremendous mineral spine. Alc 14.1%
Blue Canyon, Property Grown Chardonnay, Monterey 2022
Gold, 95 factors
US$15 Bansum, Whole Wine & Extra
Stuffed with Californian charisma and attraction. Unctuous orchard fruit, citrus and melon are encased in wealthy toast and vanilla, and underscored by refreshing acidity. Rounded and moreish. Alc 13.5%
F Stephen Millier, Angel’s Reserve Chardonnay, Lodi 2021
Gold, 95 factors
£12.99 Bare Wines
A fruit basket of apples, pears, tropical fruit and zingy lemon, all melded with a pretty oaky core and barely viscous texture. Alc 13.5%
Forthright Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Atlas Peak 2019
Gold, 95 factors
US$150 forthrightwinery.com
Ample pink florals, candy spice and ripe black cherry flavours overflow and sprawl throughout the colourful construction of toasted espresso tannins, all tied up with a savoury end. Alc 14.2%
J Lohr, Carol’s Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena 2021
Gold, 95 factors
£75-£99 The Wine Twit, Winery Cellars, Vinvm
A scrumptious mixture of recent darkish berry fruits and mountain herbs, supported by a considerable construction and refined tannins. Lengthy and charming. Alc 14.5%
The Specialyst, Zinfandel, Lodi 2020
Gold, 95 factors
£16.50-£16.99 Kwoff, Lanchester Wines, Waistcoat
Stuffed with ambition and energy with oodles of jammy pink fruit, toast and a pretty violet fragrance that befits the structured palate and bounding tannins completely. Alc 14.1%
Pennsylvania
Mazza, The Good Rosé, Lake Erie 2022
Gold, 95 factors
US$11-$14 Brighton Liquors, Effective Wine & Good Spirits, WineTransit
A tasty purity of watermelon and strawberry fruit. Lengthy, with a fascinating rose petal perfume. Juicy and tangy, with a crisp, saline end. Alc 12%
Virginia
Chestnut Oak Winery, Petit Verdot, Monticello 2019
Gold, 96 factors
chestnutoakvineyard.com
Expressive blueberry, blackberry and plum fruit undercut by lashings of candy tobacco and herbs. Buoyant and ripe, with polished tannins and a harmonious, oak-driven end. Alc 14%
Oregon
Audeant, Luminous Hills Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021
Platinum, 97 factors
US$130 Greatest Purchase Liquors
Crushed ripe cherries and perfumed pink flowers leap out of the glass and movement onto the crunchy, youthful palate. Silky clean tannins and squeaky clear acidity. Impressively lengthy and memorable. Alc 12.9%
Domaine Serene, Facet, Dundee Hills 2021
Gold, 96 factors
US$115 domaineserene.com
Confit lemon, ripe orchard fruits and butterscotch. Flippantly toasted oak and a creamy texture. Fashionable and splendid, with gliding acidity. Alc 13.5%
Domaine Divio, Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2021
Gold, 95 factors
US$60 domainedivio.com
Succulent ripe yellow apples and peaches are set inside an opulent vanilla oak body. The buttery texture is given a energetic raise by a vein of vibrant acidity. Alc 13.4%
Washington State
Bledsoe Household Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2021
Gold, 95 factors
US$40-$80 Extensively out there
Redolent of violets, roses and darkish berry fruit, which movement throughout each nostril and palate, mingling with plush tannins. A nice, lingering end. Alc 14.8%
Doubleback, Property Reserve, Walla Walla Valley 2021
Gold, 95 factors
doubleback.com
Violet florals and recent blackberries, blueberries, cherries and currants, supported by a cushion of candy toasty oak and agency, textured tannins. Lengthy and silky. Alc 14.7%
