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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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- Brick color with slow forming legs and aromas of alcohol. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of fig, black currant and walnut with a medium/full body. Flabby texture with a long finish - First gaze shows a super dark and dense looking wine. Almost on par with a PS!
Again, this wine continues to improve. Exceptional bang for the buck!
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nose: alcohol, cassis, black cherry. Medium tannins, bitter, no fruit. Vinturi: more cherry nose; taste mellowed; bitter aftertaste. Day 2: more fruit on the nose; blackberry brandy maybe. Still hot and bitter; chalky finish.
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Dark ruby red. Lots of oak on the nose, but also red fruit and a bit of spice. Medium bodied, with a soft entry, raspberries, strong red cherries, molasses around the edge, sweet tannins, some heat in the back, and short to medium finish. The Barbera has a tremendous influence here. Very drinkable now, and will likely get better.
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drank this at a campfire party. It's definitely getting better with age. Seemed more integrated. Didn't spend time analyzing it. Sorry for being brief.
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Cries out for the vinturi - just a little too tight and a little too tart (barbera). Probably would be better after another year but this was my last bottle.
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Too much time elapsed since I drank this to remember what the dish was that I had this with, but I used this as part of the sauce. The dish was very good, and drinking this wine with it was wonderful. Aeration makes a big difference. I'm assuming it's the Barbera that's coming through (I could be wrong) with the currant-to-almost-raisin flavors.
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Wow. This is becoming quite an impressive wine. It has some serious plum on the first taste, but isn't a full-on fruit bomb. It's only slightly astringent now, overall quite smooth, and has a long, softly tannic, finish.
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A very solid every day drinker type of blend. The Barbera really shows and gives this wine some unique characteristics, A little light in color for a typical cab. and the aromas are very fruity with a mix of forest floor type of musk. Highly recommended.
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Medium body, mild tannins, a little acidic. Easy drinker when run through a vinturi and got better with a little time in the glass. Went well with a spicy Indian influenced butternut squash dish.
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Decent wine for the price. Opens up considerably after decanting for an hour or so. Lots of oak up front, fruit comes out on the finish with decanting. Saved two bottles for next year, will see how it is then.
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Nose: Tobacco and cedar on the nose. I also get vanilla, oak and cherry-liquor. A little too much oak on the nose for me... Taste: Lots of vanilla and candied alcohol red fruit (almost sherry-like). You can really taste the barbera in this bottle. It is very acidic. This is not my style but I can see people who like a lot of oak really enjoying this wine.
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Cherry dominates this fruit forward nose with a hint of vanilla. Initially starts bitter and a bit dull in the palate but fruit quickly moves forward and the drink and finishes smooth with some tanin. Vanilla and a little spice on the finish in this medium bodied easy drinking wine.
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12/26/2020 - hcnate Likes this wine: 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.
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11/30/2019 - Ajrod27 Likes this wine:
This wine is doing quite well. It has some remaining tannin and the tasting notes are very consistent. I am surprised by its longevity!
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3/30/2018 - HitAnyKey Likes this wine: 88 Points
Mmmmm, Pizza and Wine. Yup, it's good. :)
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3/21/2018 - klezman wrote:
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!
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7/11/2016 - merryberry wrote: 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!
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1/7/2016 - TottenCellars wrote:
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.
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6/16/2015 - merryberry Likes this wine: 89 Points
'TWAS gone in a flash. Drinking very well right now.
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1/6/2015 - VoiceofC Likes this wine:
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.
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8/23/2014 - klezman wrote:
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.
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1/6/2014 - merryberry Likes this wine: 89 Points
Think I'm going to agree with Klezman. It's still getting better IMHO.
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9/27/2013 - klezman wrote:
Fruity, smoky, oaky, satisfying, and tasty. In a nice spot, still has plenty of time left on the clock.
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5/15/2013 - Wicked Panda wrote: 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
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4/27/2013 - discombobulated wrote:
strong dark-fruit nose, some alcohol, strawberry jam. still unimpressed. bit of an off taste that's bitter.
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4/24/2013 - Wicked Panda wrote: 86 Points
Decent, stiill needed some decanting.
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2/2/2013 - yorknh Likes this wine: 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.
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1/3/2013 - Ajrod27 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drinking very well now; great aromatics and body! Tannins and fruit are in balance. Amazing value
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12/24/2012 - vaaccess wrote:
I think it's at or beyond its prime, now. Dark fruit flavors.
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10/7/2012 - foobarski wrote: 88 Points
Bumming now that my last bottle is gone. Still quite good down to the end.
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7/23/2012 - merryberry wrote: 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.
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7/10/2012 - klezman Likes this wine:
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.
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4/6/2012 - foobarski wrote: 88 Points
Holding steady
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2/1/2012 - Ajrod27 wrote: 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!
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1/29/2012 - jvanasco wrote: 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.
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12/31/2011 - klezman wrote:
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.
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11/10/2011 - foobarski wrote: 88 Points
Vinturi'd into a decanter, and that definitely opened it up.
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10/4/2011 - richardhod wrote: 85 Points
'Twas ok
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9/28/2011 - vaaccess wrote: 87 Points
- Brick color with slow forming legs and aromas of alcohol. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of fig, black currant and walnut with a medium/full body. Flabby texture with a long finish - First gaze shows a super dark and dense looking wine. Almost on par with a PS!
Again, this wine continues to improve. Exceptional bang for the buck!
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9/14/2011 - discombobulated wrote: 82 Points
nose: alcohol, cassis, black cherry. Medium tannins, bitter, no fruit. Vinturi: more cherry nose; taste mellowed; bitter aftertaste. Day 2: more fruit on the nose; blackberry brandy maybe. Still hot and bitter; chalky finish.
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8/3/2011 - merryberry wrote: 87 Points
Dark ruby red. Lots of oak on the nose, but also red fruit and a bit of spice. Medium bodied, with a soft entry, raspberries, strong red cherries, molasses around the edge, sweet tannins, some heat in the back, and short to medium finish. The Barbera has a tremendous influence here. Very drinkable now, and will likely get better.
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7/4/2011 - boatman72 wrote:
drank this at a campfire party. It's definitely getting better with age. Seemed more integrated. Didn't spend time analyzing it. Sorry for being brief.
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6/30/2011 - aces219 wrote:
Cries out for the vinturi - just a little too tight and a little too tart (barbera). Probably would be better after another year but this was my last bottle.
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5/29/2011 - foobarski wrote: 85 Points
Didn't aerate; probably should've. (Don't remember if I had when I posted my previous review.) Tasty enough, but just a little tight.
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5/1/2011 - yorknh wrote: 87 Points
Too much time elapsed since I drank this to remember what the dish was that I had this with, but I used this as part of the sauce. The dish was very good, and drinking this wine with it was wonderful. Aeration makes a big difference. I'm assuming it's the Barbera that's coming through (I could be wrong) with the currant-to-almost-raisin flavors.
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4/14/2011 - vaaccess wrote: 86 Points
Wow. This is becoming quite an impressive wine. It has some serious plum on the first taste, but isn't a full-on fruit bomb. It's only slightly astringent now, overall quite smooth, and has a long, softly tannic, finish.
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3/5/2011 - ratnikov wrote: 85 Points
Tannic and benefits from aeration. The taste of black currants, perhaps some earthy/leathery darker notes.
A pleasant drink with heartier meals.
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2/19/2011 - boatman72 wrote:
Enjoyed the wine and didn't take any notes. Sorry.
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2/11/2011 - nycavri wrote: 75 Points
Needed a *long* decant even after running through a Vinturi to make this drinkable . . .
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1/28/2011 - TottenCellars wrote:
A very solid every day drinker type of blend.
The Barbera really shows and gives this wine some unique characteristics,
A little light in color for a typical cab. and the aromas are very fruity with a mix of forest floor type of musk.
Highly recommended.
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1/26/2011 - oog wrote: 83 Points
A little hot and way too much oak. This bottle seems the worst I've had.
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1/6/2011 - yorknh wrote: 86 Points
Medium body, mild tannins, a little acidic. Easy drinker when run through a vinturi and got better with a little time in the glass. Went well with a spicy Indian influenced butternut squash dish.
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1/4/2011 - ckeilah wrote: 88 Points
Good basic wine! Cutesy labels!
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1/2/2011 - acruse2 wrote: 85 Points
Decent wine for the price. Opens up considerably after decanting for an hour or so. Lots of oak up front, fruit comes out on the finish with decanting. Saved two bottles for next year, will see how it is then.
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12/31/2010 - klezman Likes this wine:
Don't remember enough to give a detailed note. Easy drinking, overal enjoyable vino.
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12/19/2010 - oog wrote: 85 Points
Nose: Tobacco and cedar on the nose. I also get vanilla, oak and cherry-liquor. A little too much oak on the nose for me... Taste: Lots of vanilla and candied alcohol red fruit (almost sherry-like). You can really taste the barbera in this bottle. It is very acidic. This is not my style but I can see people who like a lot of oak really enjoying this wine.
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12/18/2010 - caddis wrote: 88 Points
We really enjoyed this, especially for the price. A great everyday wine. Another QPR winner from Woot.
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12/15/2010 - WorldOfJohnboy wrote: flawed
Corked bottle, getting replacement from Wine.Woot.
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12/12/2010 - boatman72 wrote:
The Barbera shines through giving the wine a nice vanilla taste
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12/10/2010 - foobarski wrote: 87 Points
I've got 17 more of these bad boys in the cellar/closet, and that's not a bad thing!
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12/8/2010 - ckeilah wrote: 85 Points
Good CA red table wine.
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12/7/2010 - caddis wrote: 87 Points
moderate nose, not floral or fruity. Fairly smooth on the palate with some fruit, mild to moderate tannins and short finish. Not bad for $11
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12/6/2010 - boyajian Likes this wine: 87 Points
Cherry dominates this fruit forward nose with a hint of vanilla. Initially starts bitter and a bit dull in the palate but fruit quickly moves forward and the drink and finishes smooth with some tanin. Vanilla and a little spice on the finish in this medium bodied easy drinking wine.
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12/6/2010 - oog wrote: 87 Points
Nose: Oak Taste: A little vanilla, tobacco.
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