Gold Medal - 2010 Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Competition
From time to time we like to keep our faithful WineHeist customers on their toes by offering something a little off the beaten path, so we were very excited when we tasted this week’s offering, the 2006 Domenico Barbera from Amador County. Amador County is mostly known for Zinfandel, but given that Zin grows well in Italy (usually under the name Primitivo), it makes sense that this would be a good area to plant other Italian grapes. And while we have occasionally offered wines made from the Italian Barbera grape in the past, this one is unique in our memory as being one of very few that we have seen that is blended with other varieties. In this case, 20% Syrah and 5% Zinfandel add complexity to the blend, and result in an intriguing yet easy drinking red perfect for summer.
The 2006 Domenico Barbera is light garnet color, with just a tinge of orange at the rim showing that it has a little bottle age. The nose is expressive, with a variety of floral notes offsetting bright red berry and cranberry aromas. The palate is darker, with cherry and blackberry flavors accompanied by spicy undertones. The inclusion of Syrah and Zinfandel clearly adds another layer of depth to this wine. Soft and lush on the palate, yet with Barbera's signature acidity to keep it bright, this is a very interesting wine, and is ideal for summer grilling, pizza, or pasta with tomato sauce. Put this one in the fridge for 20 or 30 minutes and serve it on a warm evening for the perfect late summer dining experience.
94 Points
Decadent, rich, and supple. Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed stone, dried herbs, and cedar lead into layered notes of cassis, fennel, baked plums, mocha powder, and cigars dusted with roasted Herbs de Provence, earth and red volcanic mineral notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm spine of racy acidity and ultra-fine, gravelly tannins that carry the lasting, mouthwatering finish.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
94 Points
A full-throttle, blackberry-driven red, laden with chalky minerality and layered with robust tannins. Violet scents mingle with fig and plum fruit in a medium- to full-bodied expression that hits all the right chords, delivering a pleasing one-two punch to the senses.
