| Community Tasting Notes (average 86.6 pts. and median of 87 pts. in 69 notes) - hiding notes with no text |
| | Tasted by hcnate on 12/26/2020 & rated 90 points: Pretty robust for the vintage! It had some tannins in the wine, but the body seemed to be heading toward the weaker side. Couple hours post decant wine opened up nicely. (629 views) |
| | Tasted by Ajrod27 on 11/30/2019: This wine is doing quite well. It has some remaining tannin and the tasting notes are very consistent. I am surprised by its longevity! (1079 views) |
| | Tasted by HitAnyKey on 3/30/2018 & rated 88 points: Mmmmm, Pizza and Wine. Yup, it's good. :) (1111 views) |
| | Tasted by klezman on 3/21/2018: This was delicious. At first pop it was worryingly funky, but that dissipated quickly. Lots of dried fruit (figs?) and baking spice suggest this is nearing the end of its evolution. Plenty of acidity and brightness, though, were there to counterbalance. Another success for Woot Cellars! (1997 views) |
| | Tasted by merryberry on 7/11/2016 & rated 84 points: This was a moldy, mushroomy mess the whole first night. The bright garnet color didn't give it away, but the wet cardboard nose, no fruit, and short finish shouted that it was past its prime. I sealed it back up and considered my options. Tonight, I poured a glass while thinking of what recipe would benefit from such an "old" wine, which still smelled, well, awful. Upon tasting, lo and behold, there was red fruit! Spices! A bit of pepper and a lot of tobacco! And a medium + finish. So we've gone from flawed to something in the mid-80's. I don't know what to tell others, except don't wait any longer. Drink now while you still can! (2010 views) |
| | Tasted by TottenCellars on 1/7/2016: Sadly mishandled an ahso opener and punched the cork right into the bottle and got a wine spritzing as a result. Wine is drinking beautifully but was a bit short lived. It went in the Decanter and the fruit faded after about an hour and left the wine with a bit of a rough edge. Overall, very enjoyable and I'm glad my buddy saved one from when it was originally sold. (1986 views) |
| | Tasted by merryberry on 6/16/2015 & rated 89 points: 'TWAS gone in a flash. Drinking very well right now. (2012 views) |
| | Tasted by VoiceofC on 1/6/2015: Took about 5 minutes to open up after initial pour immediately upon opening. Still drinking beautifully. I won't hold the last 2 bottles indefinitely, but I'm confident it will last nicely through the next year or so. (2415 views) |
| | Tasted by klezman on 8/23/2014: Very savoury nose with a bit of herbs. Fig. Palate is cassis, earth, herbs, hint of bell pepper. Finish is short/medium. Well integrated with little to no tannin remaining. Nice wine. I don't think this will get much better, but there's a chance some secondary notes will emerge further with a bit more bottle time. (3948 views) |
| | Tasted by merryberry on 1/6/2014 & rated 89 points: Think I'm going to agree with Klezman. It's still getting better IMHO. (2185 views) |
| | Tasted by klezman on 9/27/2013: Fruity, smoky, oaky, satisfying, and tasty. In a nice spot, still has plenty of time left on the clock. (3252 views) |
| | Tasted by Wicked Panda on 5/15/2013 & rated 87 points: This has been cellared since delivery. It took time to open, and then was a decent wine. Was tannic and tight initially, but decanting opened it up (2468 views) |
| | Tasted by discombobulated on 4/27/2013: strong dark-fruit nose, some alcohol, strawberry jam. still unimpressed. bit of an off taste that's bitter. (2084 views) |
| | Tasted by Wicked Panda on 4/24/2013 & rated 86 points: Decent, stiill needed some decanting. (1933 views) |
| | Tasted by yorknh on 2/2/2013 & rated 87 points: Used this as part of a braising sauce for beef short ribs, and drank the rest of the bottle with dinner with good result. The wine continues to improve, though as others have mentioned it may be at it's peak. This was my last bottle so I'll never know, but for others that still have some, I wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry to finish them off. (2011 views) |
| | Tasted by Ajrod27 on 1/3/2013 & rated 89 points: Drinking very well now; great aromatics and body! Tannins and fruit are in balance. Amazing value (1825 views) |
| | Tasted by vaaccess on 12/24/2012: I think it's at or beyond its prime, now. Dark fruit flavors. (1744 views) |
| | Tasted by foobarski on 10/7/2012 & rated 88 points: Bumming now that my last bottle is gone. Still quite good down to the end. (2209 views) |
| | Tasted by merryberry on 7/23/2012 & rated 88 points: It's been almost a year since the last one, and the verdict is: 'Twas better" The heat is gone (well, turned down at least), and I love what the Barbera brings to the Cab. I don't think this will have a long life, but its doing fine now. (2504 views) |
| | Tasted by klezman on 7/10/2012: Getting better! Oak toast plus jalapeno. Not what I expect from the Santa Barbara wines. Better the second day and started to go downhill by the third. (2707 views) |
| | Tasted by foobarski on 4/6/2012 & rated 88 points: Holding steady (2399 views) |
| | Tasted by Ajrod27 on 2/1/2012 & rated 86 points: Very dark garnet/purplish pour. Nose of dark fruit, vanilla, leather, earth and mineral. Med-full bodied mouth feel with notes of plum, dark cherry and blackberry. The structure is there but not firm. This wine isn't anything too exciting, but for the price it makes a great everyday drinker! (3034 views) |
| | Tasted by jvanasco on 1/29/2012 & rated 87 points: a lot better after a year of waiting. needs to open up a bit- either decant or aerate. was even better on day 2. (2564 views) |
| | Tasted by klezman on 12/31/2011: Opened later during the night for New Year's...didn't wow me, but I think it needed some air to come into its own. Will see later today and future bottles. (3234 views) |
| | Tasted by foobarski on 11/10/2011 & rated 88 points: Vinturi'd into a decanter, and that definitely opened it up. (3727 views) |
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