In California, particularly in its two most important wine regions, Napa and Sonoma, most vintages are considered to be “excellent” by those who have a stake in them. Typically warm, dry days from late spring through fall make viticulture a snap, and when there is a splash of rain, some chilly days, imperfect fruit set, the wines tend to turn out just fine, and the “excellence” prevails, at least in the minds of marketers.
Call us Californians spoiled, because we do have things pretty easy when it comes to vintage. Yet a couple [of] times a decade, Napa...