Strawberries, red cherries and just a hint of spice. On the palate, a medium-light mouthfeel, crisp, with strawberry flavors and a little oak. Definitely a new world style, but a very easy quaffer. Reminds me of a heavier Cali-style pinor noir. 88 pts. Aloha!
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About the same as 8/26. Lively-for-CA, lush-for-Italian red-fruited easy-drinking-yet-food-friendly juice. Blind, I think I might guess Novy Grenache. Would happily drink more, though I'd also look into Palmina's offerings, were I seeking more CA Barbera (or any CA Italian varieties).
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Fairly dark red, clear around the edge. Fresh strawberry, cedar, and spice nose. Medium bodied, dried cranberries, chocolate covered cherries, pepper, good acid, enough tannins to notice, tea, and a medium finish. Didn't blow me away like last time, but still very good.
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Interesting wine. Doesn't scream "Barbera" at me, but it's a tasty, well balanced bottle. Strawberry and plum were the main notes for me, with a nice tartness to it. Needed a bit of air to get it going as well.
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Nice, and exactly what I'd expect and want from a competent CA bottling of an Italian variety. It's like 1/3 Italian tang and character, 2/3 New World smooth & lush - making it more approachable without food and/or for casual wine drinkers. Had this before eating, then served a Dolcetto and a Barolo with Piedmontese food, and the difference in terroir and winemaking approach was beyond obvious.
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Drinkable upon opening. Light to medium bodied wine, warm and smooth, yet with a nice tartness. A pleasant combination of berries and pepper. This is a great summer wine- would be nice with bbq/grilled food. Good served cellar temp- don't think I would like it warmer.
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Dark magenta. Strawberry, dirt, spiced tea, and oak on the nose. Medium bodied, smooth, rich cherries, sweet cranberries, eucalyptus, soft tannins, pepper, zippy acid, and a medium length finish. So well made, I may have to join their wine club.
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Pleasant, fruity nose of pomegranate skittles, velvety mouth feel with decent body, but very little tannin structure (not that this would be expected from the varietal). The acidity is well integrated. In all, for a $20 screw top, this is the perfect, approachable food wine to open for friends looking to ease into the splendors of red wines. Nicely made wine.
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My first barbera. Came across as thin to me, but it may be that I prefer heavier wines. Fruity nose, excellent drinkability, but no lasting finish. Fruit forward initially and then a hint of alcohol at the end. Falls off quickly.
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12/10/2012 - bg3034 wrote: 88 Points
Strawberries, red cherries and just a hint of spice. On the palate, a medium-light mouthfeel, crisp, with strawberry flavors and a little oak. Definitely a new world style, but a very easy quaffer. Reminds me of a heavier Cali-style pinor noir. 88 pts. Aloha!
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8/10/2012 - BlackIce wrote: 88 Points
Seems to be getting better. Nice fruit and acid. Strawberry (?) on taste. Very easy drinking without food.
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4/26/2012 - Charlie Pendejo wrote:
About the same as 8/26. Lively-for-CA, lush-for-Italian red-fruited easy-drinking-yet-food-friendly juice. Blind, I think I might guess Novy Grenache. Would happily drink more, though I'd also look into Palmina's offerings, were I seeking more CA Barbera (or any CA Italian varieties).
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3/16/2012 - merryberry wrote: 88 Points
Fairly dark red, clear around the edge. Fresh strawberry, cedar, and spice nose. Medium bodied, dried cranberries, chocolate covered cherries, pepper, good acid, enough tannins to notice, tea, and a medium finish. Didn't blow me away like last time, but still very good.
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1/23/2012 - klezman wrote:
Interesting wine. Doesn't scream "Barbera" at me, but it's a tasty, well balanced bottle. Strawberry and plum were the main notes for me, with a nice tartness to it. Needed a bit of air to get it going as well.
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11/14/2011 - richardhod wrote:
Damn, dropped it! Still, stuck a finger in the spillage and it was rather lovely.
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8/26/2011 - Charlie Pendejo wrote: 86 Points
Nice, and exactly what I'd expect and want from a competent CA bottling of an Italian variety. It's like 1/3 Italian tang and character, 2/3 New World smooth & lush - making it more approachable without food and/or for casual wine drinkers. Had this before eating, then served a Dolcetto and a Barolo with Piedmontese food, and the difference in terroir and winemaking approach was beyond obvious.
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7/27/2011 - wineyum Likes this wine: 88 Points
Drinkable upon opening. Light to medium bodied wine, warm and smooth, yet with a nice tartness. A pleasant combination of berries and pepper. This is a great summer wine- would be nice with bbq/grilled food. Good served cellar temp- don't think I would like it warmer.
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6/21/2011 - merryberry wrote: 90 Points
Dark magenta. Strawberry, dirt, spiced tea, and oak on the nose. Medium bodied, smooth, rich cherries, sweet cranberries, eucalyptus, soft tannins, pepper, zippy acid, and a medium length finish. So well made, I may have to join their wine club.
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3/18/2011 - Steve Jones wrote: 86 Points
Huge blue berry on nose, tart, cigar and dark fruit nose. Tasted very young.
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3/9/2011 - nibiru wrote: 88 Points
Pleasant, fruity nose of pomegranate skittles, velvety mouth feel with decent body, but very little tannin structure (not that this would be expected from the varietal). The acidity is well integrated. In all, for a $20 screw top, this is the perfect, approachable food wine to open for friends looking to ease into the splendors of red wines. Nicely made wine.
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3/7/2011 - deadlyapp wrote: 87 Points
My first barbera. Came across as thin to me, but it may be that I prefer heavier wines. Fruity nose, excellent drinkability, but no lasting finish. Fruit forward initially and then a hint of alcohol at the end. Falls off quickly.
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10/16/2010 - djreme wrote: 88 Points
This is a vary nice, smooth Barbera for he Sierra Foothills. Opened up very nicely after 1/2 hour decant.
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