93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Delicious with tomato-sauced pastas, harder cheeses, and grilled things, especially portabello mushroom caps. Buon appétito!
VINEYARD
The 130-year-old Planchon Vineyard in Oakley is the source of this interesting "Italian blend" of Barbera with its companion vines of Zinfandel and Merlot. The Barbera rows are a veritable jungle of vegetation on the perimeter of the ancient Zin vines; they thrive on their own roots in this sandy soil.
WINEMAKER: Carol Shelton
VARIETAL: 75% Barbera, 13% Zinfandel, 10% Merlot, 2% Rose of Peru
VINEYARD: Planchon Vineyard
APPELLATION: Contra Costa County
FERMENTATION: 3-day cold soak, fermented in 0.8-ton T-bins and a 3-ton open-top fermenter & punched down by hand twice daily, 2 different yeast strains, 10 days total on skins.
AGING: 7 months in Hungarian, American and French oak barrels.
TA: 0.64 gm/100ml
pH: 3.48
VINTAGE: 2022
ALCOHOL: 13.2%
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
92 Points
Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate. The palate unfolds with layered flavors of black cherry, raspberry cordial, vanilla bean and spice, where focused tannins envelop, leading to a rich red fruit finish with blue fruit undertones.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
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