Winery: Whalebone Vineyard

Vintage: 2011

Wine Name/Vineyard: Bob Wine

Wine Category: Red Blend

Grape blend: Cabernet Sauvignon based blend

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Central Coast

State or country: California

Price: $36

ABV:  14.0%

Cases produced: N/A

The Barrel Cellar Score:  89 points

Review date: January 22, 2021

About the Winemaker: Whalebone’s vineyards in Paso Robles benefit from a coastal climate, limestone, calcareous soils, and south facing hillsides. The rocky terroir also contains fossilized sea life, including whale bones. Robert Simpson, Winemaker and owner at Whalebone Vineyards started producing what he called his “garage wine” in 1994. He made it at home for himself and shared it with a few close friends. His home fermenting pursuits were so well received (the bottle claims the wine once held a local cult status), they eventually grew into a full-fledged vineyard and winemaking operation. Over the years, Bob’s original wine has continued to live on. Today I’m reviewing Bob Wine.

Color: Purple with hints of Scarlett

Nose: Oak, cherry skin, honeysuckle, and the forest on a cool summer morning.

Taste:  Freshly picked cherries, fresh garden herbs, earth, and wild mushrooms.  Mid length finish with oak, red berries, and black pepper.

Assessment: The nose on this wine is beautiful. The scents are bold, diverse, and reminiscent of an early summer day. The wine itself is fruit forward and slightly tannic as you may expect from a central coast blend. The flavors are quite bold, and I really enjoy the texture that the tannins in the juice provide. Finally, there is a slight touch of acidity on the finish that adds a some brightness. Perhaps my favorite thing about this wine is what it lacks; refinement. It’s simply a bottle of quality juice in a bottle, what more could you want?

Ready to drink now.

The Barrel Cellar gives Bob Wine 89 points.

Pairing recommendation: Whole milk Mozzerella, pasta Bolognese, or grilled Lamb chops.