Winery: Serafina Cellars

Vintage: 2010

Wine Name/Vineyard: Barbara

Wine Category: Barbara

Grape blend: 100% Barbara

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: North Coast

State or country: California

Price: $26.00

ABV: 14.25%

Cases produced: N/A

The Barrel Cellar Score:  88 points

Review date: May 19, 2020

About the Winemaker:    Winemaker Paul Scotto started Sarafina cellars with the goal of carrying on his family’s tradition of wine making.  He learned traditional methods of wine making from his grandfather as a child, and modern winemaking at California’s U.C. Davis.  His wine making experience and education have culminated in wines that have a balance of old world and new world style, as well as a nice balance of character.

Color:  Plum

Nose:  Floral notes, red berries, and oak

Taste: Lots of cherry and red berries, hints of oak and spice.

Assessment:  I’m reluctant to use the term “fun” as I don’t want to cheapen your impression of this wine, but this is really a lighthearted and happy bottle of wine.  It has bright acidity and is packed with fruit.  It’s full bodied and jammy, but not so jammy that it overwhelms your palate.  There are enough oak tannins in the bottle to soften the acidity, but not enough to make me consider this to be a dry wine.  It’s a nice balance of new world and old world; as an Italian wine grape grown in California should be.  Ready to drink now.

Sarafina Cellars’ 2010 Barbara is a very good wine.  88 points.

Pairing recommendation:  Ribeye Ravioli with crushed tomatoes