Vivid aromas of dark ripe fruit and spices mingle with loamy earth and a mineral essence. Spicy acidity that persists into the lingering finish enlivens the smooth entry and mouthfeel. Blackberry and dried cherry burst on the palate as they merge with traces of coffee, anise and pepper.
Powerful, intense and delicious, this wine is perfect to pair with a robust entrée like crawfish étouffée, smoked brisket or pasta Bolognese.
Vineyard and Winemaker’s notes
Long time Peterson wine devotees might fondly recall the original Peterson Barbera that we produced from 1994 through 1998. The grapes came from a small block of Barbera that I planted in 1989 on the “bench” overlooking our red barn winery on the Norton Ranch. Though we never produced much of this Barbera, it was a wine we loved to grow and make (as well as drink), and it developed a fervent following among our customers.
In 1998 Ridge Vineyards, who had purchased the Norton Ranch from Bill Hambrecht in 1995 (and began referring to it as “Lytton Springs Vineyard West”), decided to remove the Barbera block after the 1998 harvest and replant it with Syrah. I vowed to produce a Barbera again when I felt that I had a vineyard capable of replicating the quality wine we produced in our well drained, ancient alluvial red clay up on the “bench”.
Over the last 13 years working with Alvin Tollini, I’ve come to respect his abilities as a grower and the suitability of his properties for producing intense, yet balanced red wines. When Alvin mentioned to me that he had a field on “Granddad’s Ranch” that he was ready to plant, I immediately thought of Barbera. I believed the site’s gravelly, well-drained red clay soil could produce a worthy successor to the Norton Ranch Barbera.
The 2013 “La Stupenda” is our fifth vintage from this block. As a 100% varietal and vineyard, it truly showcases what the grape is capable of when grown in the right location. This wine hits the high notes with a power worthy of the name, but with the purity and clarity one would expect from “La Stupenda”. Drinking this Barbera with a meal may inspire you to write your own libretto.
Salute!
Specifications
Vintage: 2013
Composition: 100% Barbera
Vineyard: Tollini Vineyard
Appellation: Mendocino County
Harvest Date: September 27
Alcohol: 13.9%
pH: 3.35
TA: 0.78g/100mL
Barrel Aging: 22 months
Cooperage: 100% 5-10 year-old French & American oak barrels
Peterson Winery has been producing wine in Dry Creek Valley for 30 years and, like most wineries in the Valley, produces Zinfandel as well as other wines. Yet a closer look shows that is where the similarities end.
Owner Fred Peterson is an iconoclast with an old world winemaking philosophy and a reverence for sustainable farming. The Peterson approach is to capture the essence of vintage and vineyard—a philosophy they call Zero Manipulation—with low tech, yet high touch, to produce wines of a place, wines with soul. The evolution of Peterson wines and winemaking accelerated when Fred’s son Jamie became assistant winemaker in the summer of 2002. In 2006, after moving from the tiny red barn on Lytton Springs to Timber Crest Farms, Jamie was given the overall responsibilities as winemaker. As a winegrowing team, Fred and Jamie assess the grapes from each vineyard and vintage as the season progresses, evaluating how the weather, soil and site are interacting for the particular vintage. At Peterson winery, the winemaking process begins while the grapes are still on the vines. Zero Manipulation is a discipline the Petersons follow to capture the character and balance of inherent in the grapes. Zero Manipulation means using the most gentle, traditional winemaking practices possible to maximize the flavors, aromatics and texture of the wines. Fred and Jamie celebrate vintage differences and don’t tweak or homogenize the wine to obtain consistency of flavors, a common practice in mass-market wineries. For Fred and Jamie, Peterson Winery is all about the wines. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll see the heart and soul that goes into every bottle.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Peterson Winery Mendocino County Barbera
4 bottles for $46.99 $11.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $109.99 $9.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2013 Peterson Winery Mendocino County Barbera - $31 = 21.97%
2013 La Stupenda, Barbera by Peterson, Mendocino, California.
I am writing this as I begin my review. My initial impressions right out of the bottle are very dark and inky for a Barbera. Barbera typically run on the lighter, ruby side of the spectrum like a classic Sangiovese or Pinot Noir. The twist-off held a very tight seal all these years and despite its journey. Making the first pour I got hit with big spice and a hint of raisin. I typically don’t care for raisin in my wines however I am pleased to confirm this rapidly dissipated. This tells me the wine is very much alive.
I was met with a medium-to-big nose, full of subtle oak, hint of berry and at least another floral note I cannot pinpoint (lavender comes to mind, not sure why), perhaps you can help me here. The attack is fairly fruit forward but restrained. Up front, as with most Barbera, the body comes with noticeable spice and acidity which easily gives way once your palate adjusts after a few sips.
After about 15 minutes the body quickly becomes buttery smooth, adding the faintest hint of caramel into the mix. The finish, without doubt is a big one, starting out hot and spicy and as it opens, develops more tannic grip albeit restrained.
This is by any account a big Barbera especially at 13.9% ABV. For a single varietal Barbera, it is surprisingly layered, complex and balanced. A testament to the winemaker’s craft. I can appreciate its richer tone as I feel in this case it balances out the acidity typical of the varietal. Once opened up the acidity is quickly tempered by a creamy buttery expression.
This wine shows great maturity. This Barbera is well built. It commands your attention. It is aging much more gracefully than a typical Barbera. I feel like it’s time is now. It’s a somewhat different take on Barbera from a region off the beaten path that has had time and patience to fully develop. I think it presents a tremendous value. Fred and Jamie Peterson, after twirling it for a couple hours now, I really like it! I’m in for a case and suspect I will regret not buying more.
@CorTot Haha! I absolutely have to agree with you on that. I conciously had to ignore the label the whole time. It was very distracting in all the wrong ways. Most regrettable because the wine is actually really good. A small investment in good re-branding would go a long way for this winemaker. I submit humbly.
@CorTot@warpedrotors It took a bit of effort to counter my bias towards the label…LOL. If you can look past it, as I did, you will not be disappointed, I promise you. The $/Btl will only make you grin even wider…LOL. If you like big Pinot Noirs, mild-mannered buttery Cabs and Syrahs, you will love this one.
@chipgreen Hi buddy. It is an Aerating Wine Glass. I have been getting that question a lot lately. I have setup a page with information with links on how to get yours. I highly recommend it. For more details, check out: winesnob.blog
@winesnob What a detailed, thoughtful, and beautifully written write up! You’re hired. It’s always very obvious when someone really gives a wines the time it deserves. Those photos deserve some praise too. Well done. Glad you enjoyed the Barbera.
@Peterson_Winery my pleasure! It’s always nice to find a little gem like this wine. This wine was a bit unexpected. Now I have get out to Healdsburg and meet the folks behind it. Thank you for bringing us a great wine at an incredible value.
For the purpose of accurate Rattage the Kentucky Derby and Cinco do Mayo libations must be put on hold for there is wine to review. A Barbera from Mendocino no less. I have heard that Barbera is the wine that the Barolo and Barbaresco winemakers drink daily with their meals. Drinkable Italian Barberas can usually be found around here at reasonable price points to pair with pizzas and pastas, therefore the cultivation of Barbera in pricey Mendocino must be a labor of love.
The wine is packaged in a standard sized bottle with an attractive label and screw cap. On pour is an expected purple color. On the nose is plum, baking spice, and some barnyard. The first taste is both acidic and tannic. If I was at a tasting or in a tasting room I would probably move on to the next sample however that was not an option. There was Rattage to be done. So out came the Vinturi. For those of you not familiar with this useful accessory, it is a wine aerator that according to the Vinturi website “draws in and mixes the proper amount of air for the right amount of time, allowing your wine to breathe instantly. You’ll notice a better bouquet, enhanced flavors and smoother finish”. One pour through the Vinturi suddenly transformed this into a wine that I wanted to drink more of. It made me wonder how many other great wines I may have passed over had I not poured through this essential device.
Now that the wine has been properly aerated the balance of flavors and acidity now shine and are ready for the compulsory food pairings. The taste of the wine is consistent with the nose and reveals plum, some baking spice and a nice long pleasant finish. The finish is truly remarkable because there are no off putting flavors. My nephew who has watched all of the videos of a recently involuntarily “retired” Italian celebrity chef has volunteered to prepare the food matchups. He is kind of an Italian wine snob, only buys Italian wines, but also gave his stamp of approval to this Mendocino Barbera.
The first pairing is with truffle cheese. The acidity of the wine cut through the creaminess of the cheese. The second pairing was mushroom risotto. Both the wine and risotto shared a umami like character. The next pairing was a beef chuck roast. This wine will pair well with any red meat, game, poultry, and of course the natural pairings with pasta and pizza. It also paired well with dessert, in this case mini donuts, but would also pair well with chocolate. At this price I am in for a case and will spread the joy with relatives, friends, and neighbors.
@surfyguitar Great Rattage. I shared the same initial reaction: “If I was at a tasting or in a tasting room I would probably move on to the next sample.” After about an hour opening up it was hard to ignore it. Then I saw the case price and it suddenly shot to the top or my list! The Quality/Price is ridiculous. Just ordered my second case. I have a feeling I would otherwise regret it like Wellington, Chateau Bianca, Baker Lane, Prima Vista, Apriori, Roessler, and the list goes on. There is something special about these guys,
@Lighter@murftastic Hi guys. Check out the NOVA forum if you haven’t seen it yet. We’ll usually post something on the offer page and discuss on the NOVA forum.
@csolivares1@jrbw3@kasandrae Hey gang, you better get another case! So far csolivares got one case to split with me. (I’ll be out of town) We almost need to start our own thread.
I am very tempted to pick up a case, but the storage space at my new home is already overflowing (and I don’t know if I’d make much progress on emptying the case before we end up selling our current home). Oh, the problem of having too much wine… I guess the remedy is “Drink more wine!”.
what a great example of how well the labrat program works. I would not have considered this without their thoughtful reviews. Great job to all!
/giphy keen-mild-plot
@jhkey I agree, but don’t forget us labrats who got a bottle of grocery-store plonk and tried our best, but wouldn’t polish a turd due to people relying on it.
This one sounds interesting and “casemates-like” (label aside) versus some of the other offerings. So, good on the rats for identifying a unique wine, but equal weight should go to “meh.”
@jhkey@KNmeh7 When I opened the box, I felt that nightmare scenario you described was a very real possibility. When that initial raisin hit me, I thought to myself “Oh God, there goes my first Rattage”…LOL.
We thought we should mention… this is the last vintage of the Italian Opera signer label, and the “La Stupenda” name. Sometimes when you give an artist too much freedom and say you want a “fun” label, nothing too serious, you end up with something too obscure/nonsensical/just plain weird. Lesson learned. We continued to make wine from this delicious fruit though! Just has a new look coming 2014…
@Peterson_Winery The HARD part is already done - Making a great wine! Let me know if you’d like assistance finding/evaluating/reviewing a new look that is truely representative of this wine, approachable and effectively conveys its essence to the broader wine consumer audience.
@Peterson_Winery Accidentally started a poetry and haiku thing on some recent wines. Let me try: Stores they say “too weird,”
Now on Casemates time to buy
Better deal for us
@CorTot@Peterson_Winery@Winedavid49 most unfortunately. I mean, stuff like Menage-A-Trois, and 7 Deadly Zins are still flying off shelves because most people think the label is cute.
I don’t think this Barbera needs anything cute or artsy. The text can even stay mostly the same. The barn could be a shadow, silhouette or even a watermark. Just a clean, minimalist, modern, understated, bright clear label that evokes a sense of maturity, refinement and establishment because that’s really what I got from it.
There was nothing lighthearted, artsy, or amusing about this Barbera in my humble opinion.
@dbarrym I think the smart money is on the case. I’d love to know what you think once you get yours. I just don’t see this wine coming back here, much less at this price point. I could be wrong… LOL
Well…after the Great Rat’s (despite the label??), we’er in for a case [fishy-coarse-note], I’m sure will enjoy it !!
Thanks WineDavid, Peterson Winery / Et al.
I’m in. Fred is my type of winemaker. I’ve never been disappointed with one of his wines. Since Barbera is my favorite red wine to make, I have always enjoyed the Mendocino Barbera.
@ScottHarveyWine This wine looked interesting yesterday and I was thinking “I wonder if Scott knows this guy and will chime in” and then boom! In for a case yesterday, recommended several friends to get cases as well.
@mrn1 I am resisting this one, great looking deal and sounds like a winner. But I will have to pass. I will figure out a swap plan when the Frog’s tooth comes in. Cheers
My son, brother, and I went in on this yesterday based on the reviews. I was wondering where the NE OH peeps were?? Just noticed my battery died on my cell phone to see if you texted me last night. Didn’t order until after 10 pm. Maybe contact others via text. Yes, Scott’s endorsement should get everyone “kickstarted”!!!
If none of the regular peeps contact you, you may want to expand to some of the other NEOH peeps! Contact me by text if nobody gets in on it and you need to unload some.
Reading the rattage, I was totally leaning toward getting a case, all the time thinking how Scott’s Barbera is one of my faves (got a case with the last offering). With his kind words about the winemaker and the wine, I have toppled.
Cheers!
#catcoland#noodles#lamplighter This looks like a great deal, especially since Scott Harvey said “I’m in.” Let me know if you’re interested. And BTW, I have wine for each of you. I’ll get around to sending you details when I’m home from New York City tomorrow.
I wanted to ask you, is there a difference between wine aerators? For example, with these. I’ve been drinking wine for a long time and enjoying this drink, but I didn’t know there was such a variety of aerators.
Tasting Notes
Vivid aromas of dark ripe fruit and spices mingle with loamy earth and a mineral essence. Spicy acidity that persists into the lingering finish enlivens the smooth entry and mouthfeel. Blackberry and dried cherry burst on the palate as they merge with traces of coffee, anise and pepper.
Powerful, intense and delicious, this wine is perfect to pair with a robust entrée like crawfish étouffée, smoked brisket or pasta Bolognese.
Vineyard and Winemaker’s notes
Long time Peterson wine devotees might fondly recall the original Peterson Barbera that we produced from 1994 through 1998. The grapes came from a small block of Barbera that I planted in 1989 on the “bench” overlooking our red barn winery on the Norton Ranch. Though we never produced much of this Barbera, it was a wine we loved to grow and make (as well as drink), and it developed a fervent following among our customers.
In 1998 Ridge Vineyards, who had purchased the Norton Ranch from Bill Hambrecht in 1995 (and began referring to it as “Lytton Springs Vineyard West”), decided to remove the Barbera block after the 1998 harvest and replant it with Syrah. I vowed to produce a Barbera again when I felt that I had a vineyard capable of replicating the quality wine we produced in our well drained, ancient alluvial red clay up on the “bench”.
Over the last 13 years working with Alvin Tollini, I’ve come to respect his abilities as a grower and the suitability of his properties for producing intense, yet balanced red wines. When Alvin mentioned to me that he had a field on “Granddad’s Ranch” that he was ready to plant, I immediately thought of Barbera. I believed the site’s gravelly, well-drained red clay soil could produce a worthy successor to the Norton Ranch Barbera.
The 2013 “La Stupenda” is our fifth vintage from this block. As a 100% varietal and vineyard, it truly showcases what the grape is capable of when grown in the right location. This wine hits the high notes with a power worthy of the name, but with the purity and clarity one would expect from “La Stupenda”. Drinking this Barbera with a meal may inspire you to write your own libretto.
Salute!
Specifications
Price Comparison
$278/case (including shipping) at Peterson Winery
About The Winery
Winery: Peterson Winery
Peterson Winery has been producing wine in Dry Creek Valley for 30 years and, like most wineries in the Valley, produces Zinfandel as well as other wines. Yet a closer look shows that is where the similarities end.
Owner Fred Peterson is an iconoclast with an old world winemaking philosophy and a reverence for sustainable farming. The Peterson approach is to capture the essence of vintage and vineyard—a philosophy they call Zero Manipulation—with low tech, yet high touch, to produce wines of a place, wines with soul. The evolution of Peterson wines and winemaking accelerated when Fred’s son Jamie became assistant winemaker in the summer of 2002. In 2006, after moving from the tiny red barn on Lytton Springs to Timber Crest Farms, Jamie was given the overall responsibilities as winemaker. As a winegrowing team, Fred and Jamie assess the grapes from each vineyard and vintage as the season progresses, evaluating how the weather, soil and site are interacting for the particular vintage. At Peterson winery, the winemaking process begins while the grapes are still on the vines. Zero Manipulation is a discipline the Petersons follow to capture the character and balance of inherent in the grapes. Zero Manipulation means using the most gentle, traditional winemaking practices possible to maximize the flavors, aromatics and texture of the wines. Fred and Jamie celebrate vintage differences and don’t tweak or homogenize the wine to obtain consistency of flavors, a common practice in mass-market wineries. For Fred and Jamie, Peterson Winery is all about the wines. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll see the heart and soul that goes into every bottle.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Friday, May 31st - Tuesday, June 4th
Peterson Winery Mendocino County Barbera
4 bottles for $46.99 $11.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $109.99 $9.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2013 Peterson Winery Barbera
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2013 Peterson Winery Mendocino County Barbera - $31 = 21.97%
2013 La Stupenda, Barbera by Peterson, Mendocino, California.
I am writing this as I begin my review. My initial impressions right out of the bottle are very dark and inky for a Barbera. Barbera typically run on the lighter, ruby side of the spectrum like a classic Sangiovese or Pinot Noir. The twist-off held a very tight seal all these years and despite its journey. Making the first pour I got hit with big spice and a hint of raisin. I typically don’t care for raisin in my wines however I am pleased to confirm this rapidly dissipated. This tells me the wine is very much alive.
I was met with a medium-to-big nose, full of subtle oak, hint of berry and at least another floral note I cannot pinpoint (lavender comes to mind, not sure why), perhaps you can help me here. The attack is fairly fruit forward but restrained. Up front, as with most Barbera, the body comes with noticeable spice and acidity which easily gives way once your palate adjusts after a few sips.
After about 15 minutes the body quickly becomes buttery smooth, adding the faintest hint of caramel into the mix. The finish, without doubt is a big one, starting out hot and spicy and as it opens, develops more tannic grip albeit restrained.
This is by any account a big Barbera especially at 13.9% ABV. For a single varietal Barbera, it is surprisingly layered, complex and balanced. A testament to the winemaker’s craft. I can appreciate its richer tone as I feel in this case it balances out the acidity typical of the varietal. Once opened up the acidity is quickly tempered by a creamy buttery expression.
This wine shows great maturity. This Barbera is well built. It commands your attention. It is aging much more gracefully than a typical Barbera. I feel like it’s time is now. It’s a somewhat different take on Barbera from a region off the beaten path that has had time and patience to fully develop. I think it presents a tremendous value. Fred and Jamie Peterson, after twirling it for a couple hours now, I really like it! I’m in for a case and suspect I will regret not buying more.
@winesnob excellent rattage! And thank you for the close up pics of that truly terrible label!
@CorTot Haha! I absolutely have to agree with you on that. I conciously had to ignore the label the whole time. It was very distracting in all the wrong ways. Most regrettable because the wine is actually really good. A small investment in good re-branding would go a long way for this winemaker. I submit humbly.
/giphy washable-unsightly-donkey
@winesnob
Nice notes! What kind of glass is that?
@CorTot @winesnob Everything about the wine sounds good, but that label is terrible.
@CorTot @warpedrotors It took a bit of effort to counter my bias towards the label…LOL. If you can look past it, as I did, you will not be disappointed, I promise you. The $/Btl will only make you grin even wider…LOL. If you like big Pinot Noirs, mild-mannered buttery Cabs and Syrahs, you will love this one.
@chipgreen Hi buddy. It is an Aerating Wine Glass. I have been getting that question a lot lately. I have setup a page with information with links on how to get yours. I highly recommend it. For more details, check out: winesnob.blog
@winesnob What a detailed, thoughtful, and beautifully written write up! You’re hired. It’s always very obvious when someone really gives a wines the time it deserves. Those photos deserve some praise too. Well done. Glad you enjoyed the Barbera.
@Peterson_Winery my pleasure!
It’s always nice to find a little gem like this wine. This wine was a bit unexpected. Now I have get out to Healdsburg and meet the folks behind it. Thank you for bringing us a great wine at an incredible value.
@winesnob and have you ever considered being a hand model, lol.
@ttboy23 ROFL LMAO
. I have not but would be happy to consider it. Especially if it involves wine 
@winesnob
Thanks, love the glass and nice blog!
For the purpose of accurate Rattage the Kentucky Derby and Cinco do Mayo libations must be put on hold for there is wine to review. A Barbera from Mendocino no less. I have heard that Barbera is the wine that the Barolo and Barbaresco winemakers drink daily with their meals. Drinkable Italian Barberas can usually be found around here at reasonable price points to pair with pizzas and pastas, therefore the cultivation of Barbera in pricey Mendocino must be a labor of love.
The wine is packaged in a standard sized bottle with an attractive label and screw cap. On pour is an expected purple color. On the nose is plum, baking spice, and some barnyard. The first taste is both acidic and tannic. If I was at a tasting or in a tasting room I would probably move on to the next sample however that was not an option. There was Rattage to be done. So out came the Vinturi. For those of you not familiar with this useful accessory, it is a wine aerator that according to the Vinturi website “draws in and mixes the proper amount of air for the right amount of time, allowing your wine to breathe instantly. You’ll notice a better bouquet, enhanced flavors and smoother finish”. One pour through the Vinturi suddenly transformed this into a wine that I wanted to drink more of. It made me wonder how many other great wines I may have passed over had I not poured through this essential device.
Now that the wine has been properly aerated the balance of flavors and acidity now shine and are ready for the compulsory food pairings. The taste of the wine is consistent with the nose and reveals plum, some baking spice and a nice long pleasant finish. The finish is truly remarkable because there are no off putting flavors. My nephew who has watched all of the videos of a recently involuntarily “retired” Italian celebrity chef has volunteered to prepare the food matchups. He is kind of an Italian wine snob, only buys Italian wines, but also gave his stamp of approval to this Mendocino Barbera.
The first pairing is with truffle cheese. The acidity of the wine cut through the creaminess of the cheese. The second pairing was mushroom risotto. Both the wine and risotto shared a umami like character. The next pairing was a beef chuck roast. This wine will pair well with any red meat, game, poultry, and of course the natural pairings with pasta and pizza. It also paired well with dessert, in this case mini donuts, but would also pair well with chocolate. At this price I am in for a case and will spread the joy with relatives, friends, and neighbors.
@surfyguitar Great Rattage. I shared the same initial reaction: “If I was at a tasting or in a tasting room I would probably move on to the next sample.” After about an hour opening up it was hard to ignore it. Then I saw the case price and it suddenly shot to the top or my list! The Quality/Price is ridiculous. Just ordered my second case. I have a feeling I would otherwise regret it like Wellington, Chateau Bianca, Baker Lane, Prima Vista, Apriori, Roessler, and the list goes on. There is something special about these guys,
@surfyguitar Thanks for spreading the joy!
What? No Virginia love? What will I do with all these thirsty crawdads? And these mini donuts?
@Lighter I hope there’s someone close by. This one is a must. Worth the effort.
@Lighter I can help if you’re in NoVA. Live in DC, work in FFX.
@murftastic TNX and note for the future. Bristow/Gainsville. This time I found a use for the inlaws . . .
@Lighter @murftastic Hi guys. Check out the NOVA forum if you haven’t seen it yet. We’ll usually post something on the offer page and discuss on the NOVA forum.
Anyone want to do a 50-50 split in ATL? I’m bursting with bottles right now but I could sneak 6 more past the wife
anyone in Michigan looking to split? I love Barberas
@csolivares1 I’m in Ypsilanti. Where are you?
@csolivares1 @kasandrae @ttboy23. I’m interested in 6.
@csolivares1 @jrbw3 @kasandrae Hey gang, you better get another case! So far csolivares got one case to split with me. (I’ll be out of town) We almost need to start our own thread.
@csolivares1 @jrbw3 @ttboy23 got it
@csolivares1 @jrbw3 @kasandrae Ok, wow you’re fast, I was still typing another message, lol.
@csolivares1 @kasandrae @ttboy23 Thanks KaSandra!
I am very tempted to pick up a case, but the storage space at my new home is already overflowing (and I don’t know if I’d make much progress on emptying the case before we end up selling our current home). Oh, the problem of having too much wine… I guess the remedy is “Drink more wine!”.
@Mark_L #WineSnobProblems #TheStruggleIsReal
/giphy applicable-hideous-mage
@chemvictim
Hey stranger!
Went ahead and ordered 4 rather than waiting to split! Need something that is drinking well now and this is hard to refuse.
/giphy holy-precarious-eel
what a great example of how well the labrat program works. I would not have considered this without their thoughtful reviews. Great job to all!
/giphy keen-mild-plot
@jhkey I agree, but don’t forget us labrats who got a bottle of grocery-store plonk and tried our best, but wouldn’t polish a turd due to people relying on it.
This one sounds interesting and “casemates-like” (label aside) versus some of the other offerings. So, good on the rats for identifying a unique wine, but equal weight should go to “meh.”
@jhkey @KNmeh7 When I opened the box, I felt that nightmare scenario you described was a very real possibility. When that initial raisin hit me, I thought to myself “Oh God, there goes my first Rattage”…LOL.
/giphy caring-arbitrary-dust
We thought we should mention… this is the last vintage of the Italian Opera signer label, and the “La Stupenda” name. Sometimes when you give an artist too much freedom and say you want a “fun” label, nothing too serious, you end up with something too obscure/nonsensical/just plain weird. Lesson learned. We continued to make wine from this delicious fruit though! Just has a new look coming 2014…
@Peterson_Winery The HARD part is already done - Making a great wine! Let me know if you’d like assistance finding/evaluating/reviewing a new look that is truely representative of this wine, approachable and effectively conveys its essence to the broader wine consumer audience.
@Peterson_Winery Accidentally started a poetry and haiku thing on some recent wines. Let me try:
Stores they say “too weird,”
Now on Casemates time to buy
Better deal for us
@Peterson_Winery @pmarin love the haiku!
@Peterson_Winery that is not n uncommon path for casemates.
I can think of a few candid conversations with wineries.
Meh label, great wine.
Windrun fits that category… can we think of some others?
@Peterson_Winery @Winedavid49 funny how much a label can sell/not sell a wine.
@CorTot @Peterson_Winery @Winedavid49 most unfortunately. I mean, stuff like Menage-A-Trois, and 7 Deadly Zins are still flying off shelves because most people think the label is cute.
I don’t think this Barbera needs anything cute or artsy. The text can even stay mostly the same. The barn could be a shadow, silhouette or even a watermark. Just a clean, minimalist, modern, understated, bright clear label that evokes a sense of maturity, refinement and establishment because that’s really what I got from it.
There was nothing lighthearted, artsy, or amusing about this Barbera in my humble opinion.
@Peterson_Winery @Winedavid49 this may be considered heresy around here but the old Tercero label comes to mind…
/giphy equitable-abashed-show
Anyone in NYC going for this one? I’d only want 1-3 bottles, can’t even quite justify the 4, but am curious.
/giphy mobile-fearful-cinnamon
Greatly appreciate the rattage on this one. Glad to get in on this one!
/giphy tearful-boisterous-grade
/giphy fabulous-unfair-parent
/giphy colossal-pale-wind
OK, in for a case…
/giphy papery-profuse-cap
@dbarrym I think the smart money is on the case. I’d love to know what you think once you get yours. I just don’t see this wine coming back here, much less at this price point. I could be wrong… LOL
Well…after the Great Rat’s (despite the label??), we’er in for a case [fishy-coarse-note], I’m sure will enjoy it
!!
Thanks WineDavid, Peterson Winery / Et al.
Pulled the trigger on a case - thanks for dealing with the NH shipping
If any other NH folk want to split or take a few bottles please let me know!
I’m in. Fred is my type of winemaker. I’ve never been disappointed with one of his wines. Since Barbera is my favorite red wine to make, I have always enjoyed the Mendocino Barbera.
@ScottHarveyWine Scott Harvey in the house!
@ScottHarveyWine @Winedavid49 @Peterson_Winery
And most always dangerous to my wallet.
Co-worker case split done.
@Peterson_Winery @rjquillin @ScottHarveyWine Co-workers make the best casemates!
@ScottHarveyWine This wine looked interesting yesterday and I was thinking “I wonder if Scott knows this guy and will chime in” and then boom! In for a case yesterday, recommended several friends to get cases as well.
Lab Rats had me on the fence. @ScottHarveyWine endorsement sealed the deal! In for a case.
SIWBM not holding water!
@chipgreen @boatman72 @pjmartin You guys want a few???
@mrn1 See post right below this one. Thought I was responding to you
@Boatman72 Got it! If no one else chimes in I’ll have case of wine which I don’t need but will put to good use…especially at $9/btl!!!
@Boatman72 @mrn1
Sure, I’ll take 3. Thanks!
@mrn1 I am resisting this one, great looking deal and sounds like a winner. But I will have to pass. I will figure out a swap plan when the Frog’s tooth comes in. Cheers
My son, brother, and I went in on this yesterday based on the reviews. I was wondering where the NE OH peeps were?? Just noticed my battery died on my cell phone to see if you texted me last night. Didn’t order until after 10 pm. Maybe contact others via text. Yes, Scott’s endorsement should get everyone “kickstarted”!!!
If none of the regular peeps contact you, you may want to expand to some of the other NEOH peeps! Contact me by text if nobody gets in on it and you need to unload some.
Reading the rattage, I was totally leaning toward getting a case, all the time thinking how Scott’s Barbera is one of my faves (got a case with the last offering). With his kind words about the winemaker and the wine, I have toppled.
Cheers!
I really like the St Amant Barbera…hoping this is as good seeing as I’m in for a case!
/giphy rowdy-nebulous-grasshopper
#catcoland#noodles#lamplighter This looks like a great deal, especially since Scott Harvey said “I’m in.” Let me know if you’re interested. And BTW, I have wine for each of you. I’ll get around to sending you details when I’m home from New York City tomorrow.
In for a case.
We received this today and could not wait to try it. Glad we got a case. Cheers.
@danandlisa
Likewise.
Not bad, but not Scott’s either;
nor Scott’s price.
Got some extra bottles of this for any SoCal that may be interested.
@rjquillin Hey Ron, when did you become a vol mod?
@InFrom
Few weeks, month ago. Don’t remember exactly.
I lurked a while after it actually became official.
@rjquillin Shows you how attentive I am (not).
@InFrom @rjquillin
Wait!? does that mean you will delete my post if I say something shitty?? you’re going to be a busy man
@InFrom @ScottW58 Light touch seems to be the motto here, from what general direction was suggested; now, in Poli"ticks" IV…
@InFrom @rjquillin
Haha
@rjquillin Just got my 4 pack and wifey really likes it, you still up for sharing? Perhaps next meet up. Thanks
@i8dacat Let me look and see what I have left.
I think I gave away at least half the case already.
@rjquillin I contacted the vinyard and managed to get the same casemates deal!! Woot Woot! Thanks for offering anyway.
@i8dacat Excellent!
I had only three left.
Busy day and I forgot to get back to you.
We should run this one again.
@Winedavid49 Yes you should.
Anyone else’s wine never make it? Stuck with FedEx at place of shipment.
I wanted to ask you, is there a difference between wine aerators? For example, with these. I’ve been drinking wine for a long time and enjoying this drink, but I didn’t know there was such a variety of aerators.